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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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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:

morningconstitutional2017 · 20/12/2018 09:01

You're either part time or you're full time. Part timers do as they wish during their down time. If he wants you to work during those hours it's not part time is it? Some bosses are astounding, aren't they? Take your talents elsewhere. He doesn't deserve you.

Gromance02 · 20/12/2018 09:56

Unless someone is on a lot of money - £100k plus, no chance should they be expected to work on their days off.

ralfeesmum · 20/12/2018 10:39

What he's saying is:"when you work part time I pay you part time but I reserve the right to own and dictate your home life at my convenience."

He sounds like something out of a Dickens novel.

Thank the Lord you're not married to this caveman.......

sweetkitty · 20/12/2018 10:42

Tell him to piss right off

I’m a teacher I work 3 days a week, I do work at home as it’s expected, I worked out I actually work 38 hours a week.

CountessVonBoobs · 20/12/2018 10:51

When you're PT you have to be really robust and consistent about your boundaries because otherwise it's all too easy to end up doing FT work on PT pay. "Just checking emails" very easily becomes more and people grow to expect it of you.

ErrolTheDragon · 20/12/2018 11:21

I work part time, 20 hours per week and am expected to do work from home... because I work from home.

If your boss wants you to work 20 hours in the office plus say 4 hours while at home, then you should be paid for 24 hours.

He said it would be expected at any other company and is the norm.

The norm at any decent company is a bit of 'checking emails' and handling the odd emergency outside your work hours in certain roles. But the norm is also to provide at least statutory levels of sick pay and holiday pay to part timers.

Is the payroll (tax and NI) all being done correctly?

GabsAlot · 20/12/2018 11:46

the problem is hes already doing illegal practises so whats to stop him saying if u dont work at home for nothing theres the door-where does it end?

LittleMissPonsible · 20/12/2018 12:16

Do you think your boss will just accept it when you tell him other people don’t think you should be working on your days off? He sounds pretty unconcerned with your pay and conditions, will he back down or insist on you working extra?

QforCucumber · 20/12/2018 12:26

I get that the hours are good, but really? You're prepared to forgo at least 200 hours which are owed to you in backpaid holiday so far for it? Anonymously report then, at least help the others working for the company if you won't do it for yourself.

You have kids in school, do you have to pay childcare during holidays? YOU could be off with them, Legally and getting paid for it! Jesus - send me the company details and I'll report him for you, I have no connection to it or you.

QforCucumber · 20/12/2018 12:27

He said it would be expected at any other company and is the norm

PAID ANNUAL LEAVE IS ALSO THE NORM. He can't pick and choose his 'norm!'

dorisdog · 20/12/2018 12:28

Absolutely not. Make notes of the conversations (dates, times etc) and get onto your union ASAP, I reckon.

QforCucumber · 20/12/2018 12:28

if you earn £8 an hour the holiday alone owed to you would cover 3 months wages!

DarlingNikita · 20/12/2018 12:37

The norm at any decent company is a bit of 'checking emails' and handling the odd emergency outside your work hours in certain roles

Sorry but if a company considers this the 'norm' it's not a decent company.

I know I'm banging on about this but it really pisses me off. If you're higher management or have your own company, you need to be flexible and go above and beyond; but for most regular jobs working outside your work hours is NOT ON.

ErrolTheDragon · 20/12/2018 15:00

Yes... I didn't emphasise enough this applies only to 'certain roles' ... I'd put it a bit broader than higher management and include some other professional roles (exactly what will vary according to the field) , but absolutely not everyone and certainly not staff who aren't even being given holiday pay!

StealthPolarBear · 20/12/2018 15:04

Nikita that is your opinion though. I work outside my hours and find it works for me.

DarlingNikita · 20/12/2018 15:14

Up to you, Stealth, but my comment that working outside your work hours is not, nor should be considered, 'the norm' stands.

TornFromTheInside · 20/12/2018 16:01

But the reality is that is IS 'the norm'.

Most salaried jobs expect unpaid overtime (written into most contracts).
Massive employers like the NHS place demands on staff that will eat into their own personal time. Same for teachers etc.

Modern communications have partly influenced the situation with emails and calls spilling over into out of hours and a working culture that fosters the belief that you need to stay on top of everything in order to just keep up with the pack...

It is without doubt 'the norm' that employees are at the very least expected to give 100%, then go 'above and beyond' in order to stand out.
Companies 'expect' you to have ambition, and career progression plans - thus making you feel that merely being content to do the job you want for the price you want isn't enough.

Sindragosan · 20/12/2018 16:09

I have a well paid salaried part time job and do not work regularly out of office hours. I might choose to read email (but not reply) if I think something interesting is going on, but it's not expected. Could get an occasional phone call, but that happens to full timers too, so not a part time thing.

A lot of 'expectations' come from cheeky chancers of bosses / companies and should not be encouraged.

WitchDancer · 20/12/2018 16:11

If he's not paying you holiday, he's underpaying you by £800-£1000 a year. Just saying....

VerbenaGirl · 20/12/2018 16:46

No! You are paid for part time so you work part time!

DontDribbleOnTheCarpet · 20/12/2018 16:48

So on your bosses planet, part-time workers are just like full timers, they just cost less. Riiiight!

ohwellinthatcasetryprunes · 20/12/2018 17:35

I have worked part-time (mornings) for several years. I walk out of the door on the dot and don't even think about work till I go in the next morning. There's no chance I'd be prepared to work for free outside work hours.

It might be different for people in very highly paid professions though.

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