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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

If you’re part time you should work on days off

222 replies

Parttimeprisoner · 18/12/2018 17:47

Having a slight disagreement with my boss today and wondered what other people thought.

I work PT (20 hours a week) my boss said today ‘when you work PArt time you’re expected to do work from home when you’re not in the office’

I disagree, I’m not paid for more than my hours. I have 3 children, on my days off I don’t have time to work! I get my work done on my days there. Anything that pops up can wait imo. I’m not paid incredibly generously either - just over minimum wage.

I don’t get sick pay or holiday pay (whole other story!) and thought it was bloody cheeky that he’d suggest I should be working on my days off. He said it would be expected at any other company and is the norm.

Opinions?

OP posts:
MutedUser · 18/12/2018 18:19

That would be a swift NO

altiara · 18/12/2018 18:19

Just do your 20 hours, and it’s your choice if you want to check emails so you know what’s going to be expected the next day. (Also full timers if they work late etc it’s their choice).
You should get sick pay and annual leave. Why aren’t you? Mine was just prorated for annual leave/bank holidays and sick leave was statutory until you’d been there 6 months, then it built up depending on length of service.

bmbonanza · 18/12/2018 18:19

I work part time - 3 days a a week - and I do work on both my 'days off' but I am a teacher and work at home is expected. All my colleagues take work home at weekends and in the evenings. So I guess it depends on the job.

FatimaLovesBread · 18/12/2018 18:20

You don't get holiday pay?!!

Puzzledandpissedoff · 18/12/2018 18:21

my boss said today ‘when you work part time you’re expected to do work from home when you’re not in the office’

Nice try sunshine Hmm

With someone like this I'd also avoid answering emails when you're not at work since any encouragement at all will only make him worse. If your contract says 20 hours and doesn't mention extra hours as needed then that's what you do - if he wants any more he can pay overtime

Makeupaddikt · 18/12/2018 18:21

Why do you not get sick pay or holiday pay??? Is this not illegal??

HearMeSnore · 18/12/2018 18:25

Definitely stop answering emails on your days off. Set up an automatic out of office reply stating that any queries will be dealt with on your return.

It is definitely not standard practice to work at home on your days off. (Although I have worked for a couple of bosses who tried to pull this).

Send a letter to HR asking whether part time staff are required to work unpaid overtime at home, and when you get the "hell no" answer in writing, show it to him.

Riv · 18/12/2018 18:25

When you are not working in “his” office at your paid part time job, you are actually working at your “other “ (main) job. Looking after children and the home is still a job just not paid.

You could explain it to him in these terms:

Some people have more than one paid part time job. Would he expect them to do work see by him in their other work place? Would he let them do work set by their other manager on “his” premises during the time he is paying them?

There is no difference- your home is your other work place.
If you are suitably rewarded, and asked politely, you may consider doing some of his work during your lunchtime if it suits you.

Gillian1980 · 18/12/2018 18:31

Nope.

I work p/t and don’t usually do anything on my day off - I’m busy running around after my toddler!
There have been a few occasions when I’ve chosen to do a bit to help out, but it’s not frequent.

Sparklesocks · 18/12/2018 18:33

Nope.

And even if he pulls extra hours on evenings and weekends, that’s his choice - doesn’t mean it’s the norm for everyone else too.

DioVelazquez · 18/12/2018 18:33

Your boss is a c*.

Chamomileteaplease · 18/12/2018 18:44

Your boss sounds intellectually challenged.

AWishForWingsThatWork · 18/12/2018 18:48

That would be a big NO from me!

Your boss is a CF.

Myimaginarycathasfleas · 18/12/2018 18:48

Not the norm. And absolutely do not reply to emails when you are not at work. You cannot be compelled to do this and if you do you are just making a rod for your own back.

Sarahjconnor · 18/12/2018 18:52

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Vinorosso74 · 18/12/2018 18:53

No way. One of the reasons I am not currently working is a similar expectation. I was contracted to do 21 hours ie 3 days but ended up constantly having to play catch up so I didn't drown in work I have a lot of stories but seriously it's a shit situation to be in. If you can I would take this up with HR.

RB68 · 18/12/2018 18:53

The response is that when I am on your hourly rate I will consider it, now pull the other one!

I second the day off, non working day stuff as well

Reastie · 18/12/2018 18:58

I work part time as a teacher and my head insists part time staff come in for certain duties periodically in evenings and week ends and on days off the same amount as those working full time. We’re also expected to keep up with work emails when not working and respond within 24 hours (whether a working day or not). It seems unfair but my union tell me it’s all within what they’re allowed to do.

shiningstar2 · 18/12/2018 19:02

People who work part time work less hours for less pay. They do this for a range of reasons but there would be no point in taking less pay than a full time if you still had to do full time hours.

caterpuller · 18/12/2018 19:04

Definitely not! I work 21 hours a week, term time only (not a teacher). I will occasionally check email or send some on a day I'm not in the office if I haven't had time to do it on a work day and it's urgent but that is extremely rare.

CottonTailRabbit · 18/12/2018 19:06

Do nothing on your days off. Stop checking those emails! If the boss says it is essential for work on your days off then you can negotiate payment for the overtime.

Riv · 18/12/2018 19:11

Reastie: if you are a qualified teacher working on the burgundy book (school teachers regulations) your union has given you incorrect advice and you need to get back to them ASAP.
If you are in an academy then the burgundy book does not apply and you have a different contract. In that case your working conditions are entirely at the mercy of your academy.

Bunnybigears · 18/12/2018 19:14

I used to work for a small company who thought similarly to your boss so I left. They were shocked when I told them I couldn't keep working unpaid overtime as they said it wasnt overtime as still during the working day despite my working day finishing 3hrs before everybody elses!

Travisandthemonkey · 18/12/2018 19:16

Are you self employed?
Or part time fully employed
I do lots of work outside of my part time hours, but I love my job and it’s not stressful for me at all. But in turn, I get massive flexibility, can take time off whenever I want etc. It’s swings and roundabouts.
He sounds like a cheeky fucker btw

UpsideDownAndRoundTheBend · 18/12/2018 19:20

I have 2 part time jobs (20hrs and 15hrs). They r both v demanding and both expect me to work on my days 'off', which is obviously not possible as I'm in the other job then!

I end up working most evenings and sometimes weekends!

It's crazy and unfair but really hard to be boundaried with! Part time workers are always well over-worked in my opinion :(

If you r brave enough OP just continue to say 'no'.

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