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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Is my Boss being unreasonable regarding my work hours?

69 replies

bengal38 · 08/03/2013 21:39

I work 16.25 hours a week but I am on 20 hours a week to include overtime. I start work at 10 and finish at 3pm. Last 2 weeks my Boss has told me my new start time is 930 which is fine. I have 2 kids and need to leave at 3pm to pick them up but my Boss said I can't leave until 315pm. That would make me late going to both schools. I told her this and she said she doesn't care as work has to be finished. A new girl has started last Monday and she is allowed to leave at 3pm and she has no kids to pick up. What should I say to the Boss on Monday?

OP posts:
marquesas · 09/03/2013 10:50

I've seen some of your previous threads and I do have to wonder why you seem to always be having difficulties with your job. If you've now changed schools and still have issues it does suggest that maybe you need to have a serious think about why this is happening.

Going only on what you post I'd guess that maybe you rub people up the wrong way but that's not an excuse for not applying the law. Get some independant advice on your contract.

Lilithmoon · 09/03/2013 10:50

x-post MBJ :)

flumperoo · 09/03/2013 10:53

bengal38, people are trying to help you figure this out but you are not answering questions... For what reason can't you say, "No, I'm not contracted to work the hours you are asking"?

HollyBerryBush · 09/03/2013 10:55

Are you on probation?

I have to say, reading previous posts you've made, you do seem to always be in an evironment where there is a problem. In my experience, there is always a common denominator with people with work related problems.

Original poster
bengal38 · 09/03/2013 10:55

I did tell her that I have to leave at 3pm to get the kids from school though. Yes you are absolutely right flumperoo my husband told me exactly what you have just said

OP posts:
Montybojangles · 09/03/2013 10:55

Smile great minds and all that Lilithmoon

Pozzled · 09/03/2013 10:57

Yes, from what you say you are working more than the 20 hours you are being paid for. You need to say to your boss 'My contract says 16.25 hours. I am happy to work 20 hours (10.30-3 or 10-2.30 with the half hour lunch break). But I am unable to work any additional hours above that.'

TheSeniorWrangler · 09/03/2013 10:58

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Montybojangles · 09/03/2013 10:59

I think perhaps you have just gone along with unreasonable requests in the past, and your manager thinks you will just continue to do so. You need to make it clear you will only work your hours, or this will just keep happening.

I imagine the new girl is going on time because she told your boss to bugger off no the very first time she asked her to stay on over her contracted hours.

Original poster
bengal38 · 09/03/2013 11:03

I am not employed through the school I am employed through the council but it is the Boss who has changed my work hours.

OP posts:
HollyBerryBush · 09/03/2013 11:05

Go to the council HR department.

Shesparkles · 09/03/2013 11:07

Bengal, you need to be clear, you keep saying you're employed "through" the council, do you mean you are employed BY the council?
Who is " the boss"? Is this a supervisor at the school? Or actually at the council?

Stop comparing yourself to the new start, her contract is none of your business!

I hate to say it, but your contract can be changed BY YOUR EMPLOYER with 30 days' notice.

TheSeniorWrangler · 09/03/2013 11:15

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

sarahtigh · 09/03/2013 11:16

stopping saying you have to leave because of kids because unfortunately your childcare arrangements are not relevant what is relevant is that you have finished your contracted hours by mentioning kids it is more like you need a favour

no reasons just as above I work 16.25 hours or 20 with overtime I can be flexible about starting at 9.30 but I can not work anymore overtime so I need to leave at 3pm ( no reason required) if you finish at 3 you finish at 3 whether you have kids or not is irrelevant

contracts can be varied by employers with consultation but if you are unreasonable about change they can after going through proper channels dismiss you

you need to speak to HR at council and check your contract for clauses re changing the hours

Original poster
bengal38 · 09/03/2013 11:25

To TheSeniorWrangler, The Boss is the one who runs the School Kitchen so I hope that makes more sense

To Sarahtigh, My contract states 16.25 hours per week or 20 with overtime just like yourself. It is not a case of me wanting to leave at 3pm it is a case of me having to leave at 3pm. If I am starting work at 930am and finishing at 315pm that is 5hours and 15mins minus the half an hour break which is not paid for. Even if I finish at 3pm that is still 5 hours a days work which is 25 hours a week which is still over the 20 hours per week overtime.

OP posts:
badtime · 09/03/2013 11:31

So why can't you just say that you will only work your contracted hours?
Why can you not refuse to do unpaid overtime?

ihearsounds · 09/03/2013 11:31

Really don't see what the problem is.. You simply say your contracted hours are 16.25 but as a favour for you, I have been doing more. But I need to leave at 3. You asked me to do 20 hours initially which I was fine with, but these hours are now creeping up, and I cannot do them. Overtime is just that, overtime. You are not required to do extra.

StupidFlanders · 09/03/2013 11:34

So why can't you say this to your boss?

theodorakisses · 09/03/2013 11:40

I don't personally feel that the picking up of children is in the slightest bit relevant here (unless you are on a family friendly contract). Being asked to work outside your contracted hours, being asked to work above your contracted hours or proving that you are being targeted are all formal breached of employment legislation.

PatriciaHolm · 09/03/2013 11:46

Why o why are you working so many hours for no pay?

Just tell your employer you are sticking to your contracted hours. It's not hard!

Awaits next installment.....

livinginwonderland · 09/03/2013 11:47

i personally think yabu for not telling your boss to shove their overtime. it's optional, they can't force you into doing it. tell her you're willing to work the 20 hours a week and that's it. and make sure you get PAID for any overtime you do as well.

PureQuintessence · 09/03/2013 11:56

Yes, the fact that you have to pick up your kids are irrelevant.

What is relevant is that you are asked to work more hours than your contract stipulates, and you are paid for. You cannot BOTH start at 9.30, leave at 15.30 AND work 20 hours. This is not possible.

You need to tell your boss that you are leaving, NOT BECAUSE YOU NEED TO PICK UP YOUR KIDS, BUT because you are not contracted to work beyond 4 hours per day and with a 9.30 start you are leaving at 2pm! This is what your contract says.

annh · 09/03/2013 12:04

Can you please tell us why you have not told your boss that you will not work these hours because you are not contracted or paid to do that number of hours, rather than concentrating on picking up your children which is irrelevant to the job (although very relevant to you)? It does not matter to the company why you need to leave, the fact is that you SHOULD leave because you are not being paid for that extra time.

Original poster
bengal38 · 09/03/2013 12:26

To annh, I don't want to get her back up because when I told her last Friday that I would have to leave at 3pm she started to raise her voice abit. So I just need to know how to word it to her without getting her back up but I totally get what you are saying though

OP posts:
livinginwonderland · 09/03/2013 12:30

you just need to tell her. she may well get a bit shouty but that's her problem, really. you need to start sticking up for yourself and working your set hours unless she agrees to pay you for all the overtime.

i had a boss like this who got really stroppy when you refused overtime or whatever, but the major difference was i get paid for overtime (my job uses a clock in/out system) so if i did accept it, i knew i would get paid for every minute i was working. the way to do it is to simply refuse. you don't need a reason other than "it's not my contract".

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