Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To only work the hours I get paid in temp job?

42 replies

Polarbearflavour · 25/07/2018 21:41

I’m temping at the moment in the public sector in an office role. I have no desire to work there on a permanent basis. I’m paid 37 hours a week and there is no budget for overtime. Perm staff get flexitime so they get their hours back. I don’t have that option.

AIBU to leave when my hours are done? I keep being asked to do extra hours, they acknowledge I won’t be paid. I’m finding it hard to summon up the energy to care about temping! Especially when the people asking me to stay earn over 80k so are probably a little more invested than me...

OP posts:
huggybear · 25/07/2018 21:44

Of course you're not being unreasonable!

RavenWings · 25/07/2018 21:48

If you've no desire to be there long term then no, of course you shouldn't have to stay. You get what you pay for and in this case, they're paying zip.

Mammalamb · 25/07/2018 21:49

Yanbu

HolyMountain · 25/07/2018 21:50

Don’t stay and work unpaid in that environment.

I’m a TA and do unpaid hours but I wouldn’t do it in your position.

LisaDav · 25/07/2018 21:54

I don't see why you should stay when you're not being paid the overtime. I would leave on the dot every day x

Pippylou · 25/07/2018 21:54

Tell them they can pay you or give you time off in lieu or give you the job permanently, which they won't do because of pensions, etc.

They are getting billed by the temp agency just for your hours, no extra. Tell the temp agency too, it really isn't your problem.

Original poster
Polarbearflavour · 25/07/2018 21:56

It’s been hinted to me that if I want the job and to be a perm employee I need to be doing longer hours! The hourly pay in no way justifies that.

I’m just temping until something better comes along. Financially, DP and I own our flat and we are secure so thinking about just quitting. The work is also really boring, I’m expected to travel around 4 different offices on public transport - travelling time isn’t paid, nor are my bus fares!

OP posts:
LeahJack · 25/07/2018 21:57

Just put them on your time sheet and ask them to validate it at the end of the week. Cheeky fuckers. If they don’t pay you take it to the press.

SluttyButty · 25/07/2018 21:59

I just walked out of a job I wasn't getting paid extra hours for. I'm nobody's fool and I'm not working unpaid!

DamsonPie · 25/07/2018 21:59

There’s no benefit for you in working extra hours. You won’t get paid. You won’t get the hours back as flexitime. You won’t get / don’t want a permanent job. You don’t owe them any favours. So why would you work extra hours for free?

Also if it’s a low paid temp job then they could be breaking the law regarding minimum wage. They are legally required to pay you at least min wage x hours worked. Obviously a high salary covers the extra hours but if you’re already on or near min wage then the amount they’re paying you won’t stretch to cover the additional hours.

stressedoutpa · 25/07/2018 22:00

Are you paid hourly? If so, then no, YANBU.

Is this a project job? Hopefully not a PA job! Grin

DamsonPie · 25/07/2018 22:02

Also isn’t it illegal to not pay for travel time? Excluding travel at the start and end of the day. Travel during the day has to be paid.

Earslaps · 25/07/2018 22:02

You should be getting the bus fares paid! Also, if the travel time means that you are effectively getting under NMW I think they are breaking the law.

DelphiniumBlue · 25/07/2018 22:04

Id be looking for something else. How can they expect you to pay to travel between their office? Is that during the course of the working day?
They are taking advantage. I've never heard of this in a public service office role. Id be telling them they'd need to pay the fares and the travelling time. I bet they do have the budget for it, they just don't want to spend it.time
You can afford to argue this, you don't want the permanent job anyway, and you can afford to quit. Play hardball and see what happens.

Original poster
Polarbearflavour · 25/07/2018 22:07

Haha @stressedoutpa! It’s a project co-ordinator role that is basically glorified admin. Confused

I’m being paid a lot more than NMW. Well not loads but it’s okay for the area I’m living in that has cheap housing but low pay.

DP thinks I should just quit.

OP posts:
Original poster
Polarbearflavour · 25/07/2018 22:09

Some days I have to travel on the bus between two offices. When I go to a different place on the train I can claim the train fare back. It takes me an hour to get there and two trains!

OP posts:
Happygummibear · 25/07/2018 22:12

Unless they are willing to give you the flexi time then no don't do past your hours.

I work in local gov and would not expect a temp to do this and they are just trying it on.

Also. If it was part of the JD that the role would be stationed at different offices depending on the work then you can't do much about that. However if you are travelling to different offices for meetings etc then they should be allowing the time as part of your day and allowing expenses.

How long have you been doing the role? The longer you are there the more rights you have www.gov.uk/agency-workers-your-rights/your-rights-as-a-temporary-agency-worker

Also someone who is on £80k would not be entitles to flexi time or be paid for additional hours they work

ivykaty44 · 25/07/2018 22:15

Be great if the gas and electricity companies could supply for free, wouldn’t it

ChristmasTablecloth · 25/07/2018 22:21

Why are you even asking? Have you made it clear to them you aren't interested in a permanent role? If not fgs say so now and carry on working there (contracted hours) until they can find another mug to take on the job.

Jamiefraserskilt · 25/07/2018 22:35

My temp used to leave on time. If we needed her longer we paid for it.

ChocolateWombat · 25/07/2018 22:37

All you need to do is to remind them you're a temp and that as such, you only work the hours you are paid for. Say if they need more hours they will need to take it up with the agency. Repeat this message every time they ask you until the message sinks in. If course, you can say it with a smile or even by saying 'oh hadn't you realised, temps only work the hours they are paid for, if you want more hours, you'll have to pay me for them - do you want to take that up with the agency'.

It won't be rude to simply state this and if you don't want a permanant job is abs no problem - if they ever mention a permanant job, if you don't want one, you can politely say you are happy temping at the moment.

thirdday · 25/07/2018 22:40

Hate that if you did want the job perm, you'd find yourself doing the hours for free under pressure. Cheeky buggers.

NT53NJT · 25/07/2018 22:42

I don't understand why people do hours for free anyway.
You're a paid employee who gains nothing from the business except your salary. So why invest more time which is unpaid to benefit someone else? Surely the time is better spent with your family or friends.

A career is nothing in the grand scheme of things but family and friends are everything.

Warpdrive · 25/07/2018 23:04

Ask your agency if you are being paid at comparator rate. If so, they are legally obliged to pay you same as their staff - eg, if their employee gets travel time and bus fare covered, you should too.

Warpdrive · 25/07/2018 23:05

Contractually they need to pay you for the hours worked. Put them on your time sheet. If they don’t authorise the time sheet take it up with the agency.