people with cooshy jobs that don't get I have to work unpaid overtime, can't just take flexi days and only have 20 days holiday [title edited by MNHQ]

[twoopsie]

Just got back from a shit lunch meeting a friend. Takes 15 mins to walk there and only have a hour lunch break that I have to be back by. She was late so I just had a juice and raced back to the office. Spent maybe 10 mins with her.

She doesnt understand that I can't just take a super long lunch, that I can't do felxi time and have to be in work 5 days a week. Was also saying she couldn't see why I'm working Xmas eve and nye, when I have to as only get 20 days. Shes found it strange that I do any overtime without getting paid, when its just something you have to do, I don't love it either. Then she doesn't understand that I have to keep my performance up as if it slips, I'm out with 150 quid per year worked. No five / six figure payout!

I know some public sector jobs are run more like this these days,but not hers in the local town hall.

Sorry just having a rant, sleep deprived and sometimes feel like she's rubbing it in my face.

Well it is true. He is in his late 50s now and paid off hos mortgage with the redundancy payment 20 yrs ago. House cost £110,000,now worth about £480,000.

The job is an insurance underwriter for a big multinational in the city. He really isn't at a very high level. I would say middle management - the equivalent of a section manager- his section is Europe and USA particular type of projects. And he does fly business.

Very smart offices, I have been and there are staff who are there to make a fuss of guests- uniformed doorman, tea tray provider, it is all very calm and smart, discreet and luxurious.

Anyway, my point is these kind of posts and perks don't exist in public sector, quite rightly. But OP seems to think public sector is privilaged.

When I read your post I thought you must be a public sector worker- in health.
Because the unpaid overtime, stressful conditions and inflexibility are what I am used to.

Describing someone as having a cooshy/cushy/whatever job is a bit insulting tbh.

I have very good terms in my job - a full hours lunch, paid overtime, 5 weeks holiday plus bank holidays with an optional 6th week unpaid holiday and excellent benefits with flexible-ish hours.

I still wouldn't describe my job as 'cushy' because I work flipping hard! It just has good benefits.

But it must be frustrating to have a friend who doesn't understand your position.

Our staff have to use their leave because the building is closed over the holiday period- no choice

That happens in the private sector too. Not where I work, thankfully.

Lulujakey I'd love to know where your cousin works because I want to work there know loads of people in insurance in the City and almost nobody except senior directors gets those benefits. The salary is very average for middle management but business class travel is usually only allowed for senior execs, not many people work from home on a regular basis and the average bonus seems to be 10% which in his case would be 5.5K before tax. Almost nobody gets a final salary pension any more, even those who've been employed 20 years. He's immensely lucky is all I can say.

I don't think there is such a thing as a cushy job.

Well I've never had one anyway.

To be fair, I do know a couple of people who have always worked in the public sector who didn't believe that I didn't get sick pay or paid time off to look after a sick child. (Or a pension, or paid maternity leave over and above SMP for that matter.)

But generally the public sector, at least those on the front line, work their arses off.

Don't arrange to meet her again OP unless it's very close to you and then give her 5/10 minutes max before you order your own stuff.

I'm public sector, I don't get to go out for work but when I've worked meeting up with work people around my work and someone keeps me waiting -especially without good reason- it pisses me off. This is about your friend being rude, no one else. You need to nip the behaviour in the bud by doing the above.

Lots of people have to take leave when told to, many factories close for 2 weeks
Now and 2 weeks in the summer, other jobs have a ban on annual leave in the summer due to tourists or farming, so being told office is shut on 24th and it will be deducted from annual leave allowance is legal and quite common.

I would imagine that in the vast majority of jobs, private or public, people would rarely take a whole hour for lunch.

aretheranyleftatall I agree.

Funny how I just worked 12 hours straight today with NO lunch break in my "cushy" public sector job...and that is far from abnormal.

To be fair, I do know a couple of people who have always worked in the public sector who didn't believe that I didn't get sick pay or paid time off to look after a sick child. (Or a pension, or paid maternity leave over and above SMP for that matter.)

That's exactly the point I was making

what point though? that you have an appalling employer? that a lack of unionisation in your workplace has led to crappy workinc conditions? get angry with your employer, not her

Do you not get sick pay OP? There are also people in the public sector who struggle to get paid time off to look after a sick child.

I still think your views on public sector employment are sweeping and somewhat outdated. If you had simply complained about your friend's lack of awareness and poor manners that would have made your thread very different.
And I still think your whole hour break for lunch is a rarity these days in any sector.

But I don't have a crappy employer, I just have one that gives pretty normal working conditions for these days.

No I don't get sick pay unless I'm off for 7 days, then its 90 pounds or something. I've never been off that long.

Why can't you understand that I'm only talking about cushy PS jobs not all ps. Only on mn are people are so wound up.

The point with hour long lunches (if you find time to actually have one) is that with flexi you make the time up somewhere else.

I actually took a 2hr lunch yesterday (imagine!). But this was because I have been clocking up daft amounts of flexi all month as work has been manic. I've been in the office at 8am, eaten lunch at my desk and finished late too, often running straight from work to the DC's Christmas concerts etc. Yesterday was my last opportunity this month to recoup some of that flexi before losing it at the end of the month, so I met some friends for a long lunch. I suppose if you'd just seen yesterday as an example of my working pattern (started at 9, had lunch from 12-2, finished at 4) you would think my job was cushy. But it isn't reflective of the rest of the month.

Your problem is that your friend is inconsiderate. She would probably be inconsiderate no matter where she worked.

Why can't you understand that I'm only talking about cushy PS jobs not all ps. Only on mn are people are so wound up.

It might be because of the tone and content of your recent posts... you seem to have a lot of angst regarding parents and friends who have something you are jealous of.

Lulujakey I'd love to know where your cousin works because I want to work there know loads of people in insurance in the City and almost nobody except senior directors gets those benefits. The salary is very average for middle management but business class travel is usually only allowed for senior execs, not many people work from home on a regular basis and the average bonus seems to be 10% which in his case would be 5.5K before tax. Almost nobody gets a final salary pension any more, even those who've been employed 20 years. He's immensely lucky is all I can say.

I'm not sure I believe it either. The sallery is the only thing that sounds about right, the rest anyone that gets those is very lucky and in a small minority.

*Look as ex public-sector and quick to anger on behalf of public-sector even I can see that the OP is getting a kicking here. Lay off.

There ARE some jobs like this OP - cushy numbers on great terms and conditions - but they are becoming an endangered species. Your friend may not be so comfy for much longer and then she can join you working in the real world of public sector. She'll get it then grin*

Thanks, one can only hope she looses these benefits then has to deal with normal working conditions. Everytime she says "why not just take a flexi day" I have to explain I can't and that I have to work when I'm not 100% as won't get paid otherwise.

Its hard not to think you're targeting ps jobs because thats what you're mentioning.
I know ppl who have much better working conditions than I do, some in PS but most in private work.
Plus, there's a bit of a theme atm in the press with negative views about Ps workers and their cushy pensions, time off etc. so it can make one a bit sensitive. There was no need for the "public sector" part of describing her "cushy" job unless its fuelling the widespread, erroneous belief that ps workers have it easy.
The point is she was late, thoughtless and has a "cushier" job than you. But you said cushy ps job.
Having worked many christmas/ new year/ public holidays in a stressful environment "cushy" is not what I perceive to be synonymous with ps work.

Anyway, i hope things improve for you.
Happy Christmas.

I had a "cushy" job in PS with flexi and core hours allowing 2 hour lunches (if I worked the time some other time), great sick leave, 10 days PH on top of 30 days leave, up to 12 flexi days, take the time when you like etc oh and I nearly forgot - "gold plated" final salary pension.

The job itself was incredibly stressful, full on for the hours you were there, responsibilities WAY above pay grade, never even a moment to think - but general terms and conditions were fantastic... they had to be - NOBODY would have worked there otherwise.

Anyway, i hope things improve for you.
Happy Christmas.

Thing are just fine for me apart from having a friend that doesn't understand my working conditions aren't the same.