AIBU to ask what my working hours would be? What hours do you work?

[ConfusedCareerWoman]

I am job hunting at the moment, have one offer but a third interview for another role on Thursday this week. So far the company have not said what my working hours would be, and I am getting concerned. This is a very small company and on their website it says open 8am until 7pm, if I am expected to work those hours every day then I do not want to waste anyone's time by attending a third interview. It is a receptionist role. So I have asked in an email about what my working hours would be, and now part of me thinks they will see this as not being committed enough, but I think that 8 - 7 is taking the piss a bit.

Am I being unreasonable or unrealistic to want to work no more than 9 to 5 or 6 most days? I'm willing to extend that during hectic periods now and again but don't want my core hours to be 8 - 7, it seems way too long to me especially when adding a commute of nearly an hour each way.

What hours do you work? Are you happy with them?

I work in healthcare. GP surgeries have to be open a minimum of 8am til 630pm 5 days a week. The practice I work in are open 8am-7pm 4 days a week and also do 8-8 opening one day. The receptionists work on a rota so no-one does 8-8 on the front desk but I am expected to do 8-1 and then 4-8 and to work 815-630 on other days

Is it the kind of place that only works Mon to Friday? Or weekends as well?

I think it would be more normal that you'll be offered shifts within those times but you won't know what they are until maybe a week or two before.

A lot of places do 3 or 4 x 12 hour shifts a week, then a few days off. Which I quite liked myself - once you're dressed for work and at work a couple of extra hours makes no difference. But 4 days off is great.

Other places will want you in a few hours in the morning e.g. a hotel, then a few hours in the evening.

All you can do is ask really and see if it fits in with your life.

I wouldn't take a job that expects 8am to 7pm five days a week - that is taking the piss. I think it's unlikely they'll ask for that myself.

Our reception is manned 8.30-5 and security are there outside those hours. The downside for the receptionist is she doesn't get flexi time like the rest of us, she has to stick to the fixed shift.

YANB at all U to ask. People need to plan their lives around their jobs for all kinds of reasons (primarily childcare) and for me, being expected to routinely stay past 5.30pm would be a deal breaker - I wouldn't have enough time with my young children in the evenings. I make up for it by starting at 8 every day, so I reckon my employer still gets their pound of flesh as most of my team work 9-6.