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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to not work an extra 15 mins per day ?

81 replies

Kbear · 13/05/2019 17:39

Can my employer bring this in just like that? My contract states given hours for past ten years - now they want us all to work extra 15 mins for no extra pay,

HR people can you clarify? (NB we don't have an HR dept - small company),

Thank you

OP posts:
gamerchick · 13/05/2019 17:45

What can you do in 15 minutes? Confused

Personally I'd worry the company is in trouble and start to look for another job.

HelpAFattieOutHere · 13/05/2019 17:46

Depends - where are the 15 minutes coming from? Are they shortening a paid break or anything?

EffYouSeeKaye · 13/05/2019 17:46

Have they shortened your lunch or break by 15 minutes or added 15 minutes to the start / end of day?

PanamaPattie · 13/05/2019 17:50

You can wash your mug and make tea in 15 minutes. I don't see how extra time will achieve anything unless you're on a production line and could manufacture something. I would probably be worried enough to look for another job.

AlaskanOilBaron · 13/05/2019 17:50

Sounds like a company in distress, I'd do a bit of digging.

Is it a short-term arrangement? Specifically what are the circumstances?

OutInTheCountry · 13/05/2019 17:51

Hi Op,

A couple of questions.....

Presumably you're being paid a salary rather than an hourly rate?
Have they said why they've introduced this - are they extending opening hours or does there not seem to be a sensible reason?
Have they issued you with new contracts?

Pollywollydolly · 13/05/2019 17:54

They can change your contract with your agreement or so I thought until the people I work for announced they were changing ours and bringing in compulsory weekend and bank holiday working. As we wouldn't agree they are dismissing everyone on 31st May and re-engaging on 1st of June with a new contract. Anyone who refuses has been given their statutory notice.

Original poster
Kbear · 13/05/2019 17:57

I'm employed salaried ten years -they are just adding on 15 mins to be in line with other companies ..... whatever that means

No extra money

Also making us do an early shift and late shift

I'm grateful for comments - back soon

OP posts:
MeredithGrey1 · 13/05/2019 18:01

they are just adding on 15 mins to be in line with other companies ..... whatever that means

So you currently finish at 17:15, and they want to change it to 17:30 for example?

Original poster
Kbear · 13/05/2019 19:03

Yes exactly

OP posts:
OutInTheCountry · 13/05/2019 19:15

I would double check with the ACAS helpline but yes I think they can do this if they alter your contract. It's then up to you whether you want to continue on the new terms.

Original poster
Kbear · 13/05/2019 19:25

yes we are getting a letter altering our contracts

couple of people said they don't want to do to and given apparently good reasons - the rest of us have to lump it

OP posts:
OutInTheCountry · 13/05/2019 19:29

I would think accepting some people's reasons but not others will just breed resentment and probably lead to petty rebellions elsewhere.

HeckyPeck · 13/05/2019 19:31

Wait so some people have been told they don’t have to do the extra free 15mins?

I agree with others to contact your union if you’re in one or ACAS if not.

scratchbass · 13/05/2019 19:33

A previous employer of mine changed peoples contracts in a similar way, they had to buy everyone out, maybe slightly more time eg from 7 hours to 7hrs24. I think the one off payment was about £1500.

Original poster
Kbear · 13/05/2019 19:33

I have said today that it should be one rule for everyone (small office - 20 people) - if we all have to work the extra and sign a new contract - annoying but ok, but why should couple of people be allowed to opt out for frankly lame reasons....?

OP posts:
Crunchymum · 13/05/2019 19:34

So that's over an hour a week from each person? And most people work 46 weeks a year? So say there are 10 of you that's 460 free hours a year they are getting Shock

Blimey!!!

Original poster
Kbear · 13/05/2019 19:37

we got a "cost of living" pay rise last month - now they are saying oh you got a payrise and that was for the 15 minutes..... er make up your mind

OP posts:
Ihatemyseleffordoingthis · 13/05/2019 19:37

You should all say no, together.
Why does it "have to be in line with other companies"?

Divgirl2 · 13/05/2019 19:37

An Employer can ask you to work overtime, and so long as that overtime doesn't bring your wage below the national minimum (and from what you have posted I don't think it does) or take you over working an average 48 hours in a week (which it doesn't sound like it will- and you might well have opted out of that in any case), then you need to decide what you want to do about it. It's basically going to boil down to how much you want to keep your job or find something else. If you are a member you could raise it with your union, but don't expect miracles. Your HR department are not going to be interested unless it's just you that's being asked to come in early (because that would be discriminatory). If it's everyone, they aren't going to be interested.

On a work based level, this isn't exactly unusual but is annoying and you have my sympathy. Your employer isn't the only one taking advantage here. I have worked for companies in the past that treat unpaid overtime as an expectation of the job, and others where overtime is paid and generous, and others where any overtime will be flagged and immediately involve discussions with line managers and HR to make sure you are coping.

My advice is: If you don't like it, find another job. There is nothing else you can do to "fix" this issue your work life. It's basically up to you to decide if it's worth the hassle of doing so.

JellyBabiesSaveLives · 13/05/2019 19:37

And if all 20 of you say no? Or no, not unless you pay us for it?

Original poster
Kbear · 13/05/2019 19:53

appreciating everyone's viewpoints - we don't have a HR department - we have three managers in charge and they make the rules

they want to round up our work hours which have traditionally been 15 minutes less than a full 8 hours - this has been the case for at least 35 years

Some people have said "it's only 15 minutes" .... true, but who works for free? It's not enough to make me leave, I like the job and it's a niche industry that I'm very interested in, but I hate the way it's been dealt with and the whole like it or lump it unless you are special.....

OP posts:
Everydaypeople · 13/05/2019 19:55

No , I don’t think they can do that. I’d be in the phone to acas first thing tomorrow to check.
Find a good reason and say no you can’t do it, ask those that are exempt their reason and use that.

Original poster
Kbear · 13/05/2019 19:59

ACAS website says they can change your contract if you agree

but if you don't agree they terminate you anyway - not saying my company will but they could

that's a bit shit !

OP posts:
Reastie · 13/05/2019 20:00

I’ve had changes to my contract over my work period there that I’ve been informed about eg when I joined I got paid for time off for howpital apt’s, now the policy has changed and we don’t get paid. I’ve also had holiday reduced by 2 weeks a year (but still within legal minimum amounts)with no change in salary.