To think she should do the overtime

[Redrupunzle]

So I started a new job last month, it's low paid (8.50) and is temporary, to cover maternity leave. Tbh I'm way over qualified but I've been out of the work place for nearly 4 years after having my eldest and now my youngest is 1 I'm wanting some part time work in this field just to dip my toe back in and freshen my cv a bit. I've no intention of working more then two days until my youngest starts school and I've definitely no intention of working weekends ever again. I've done jobs since I was 14 and worked all hours and now I want to put my family and my life first, I'm also starting a course in September to freshen up some skills. Anyway that's the background. So the job is 2 days per week and I made it clear that that's all I could do, hr we're still delighted to have me on board. My manager has now come and said the woman on the reception desk has two weeks holiday coming up and I need to help cover. I said I don't really have childcare but I'll ask and try and do an extra weekday on each of the weeks. Shes not happy and said she needs me to do the Saturday. I said "I'm sorry I can't I spend the weekends with my kids", She then said "I understand that but if you don't cover it I'll have to and my kids are in nursery 8-6 5 days a week and I really need my weekends with them". I replied that I was sorry I couldn't help. Shes not happy and I get that but imo I'm not paid well enough to want to do a Saturday, her salary is at least 22k (I know as my previous job was her job in another company) and it's her responsibility, that's what happens in her position. My friend disagrees and says as "someone lower" I should be picking up the slack. I feel I made my position very clear right at the beginning.

You sound like a nightmare and as a Hr professional I avoid hiring people like you at all costs. Let's just hope you never ever need someone to cover for you in this job.

Yeah, how dare an employee stick to their contracted hours. Sounds like not being hired by you would be a blessing in disguise!

• Former Hiring Manager

I actually can't believe how many people think the manager not getting to see her kids as much is somehow relevant to the OP.

I might have considered it if she hadn't been so funny about not seeing her kids all week

I find that completely disingenuous. In your OP the conversation clearly went - you said you had to see your kids at weekends, hence she said so had she because she didn't see them all week. I don't see how that's being at all 'funny' and as someone who places high value on spending time with kids it's weirdly unempathetic of you not to see where she's coming from. Your chilly dismissal "it's her choice" is wilfully ignorant of the many factors that mean some mums have to work full-time and it's another example of you sounding very into yourself to the exclusion of others. Course it's up to you whether to help her out or not and entirely your right to stick with your contracted hours, but don't kid yourself you'd have been magnanimous and flexible if she hadn't been 'funny' about needing to see her kids. You put yourself first and that's your position so you might as well own it.

Yanbu.
I would feel the same way.

I might have considered it if she hadn't been so funny about not seeing her kids all week, that's her choice. How do you know that's her choice?! Some people need to work full time to pay bills and keep a roof over their heads. So I wouldn't be so high and mighty, you could find yourself a single parent for example and find yourself another terrible working parent

You sound like a nightmare and as a Hr professional I avoid hiring people like you at all costs

What? People who want to stick to their contracted hours and yet as a gesture of goodwill offer an extra day cover for the relevant period?

You sound like a nightmare and as a Hr professional I avoid hiring people like you at all costs

the refusal is absolutely fine, but I have to say the attitude is quite unpleasant. You can stick to your contractual hours and stay professional.

I hope HR people who think refusing overtime when you've said from the start you won't do it is awful make that clear from the start. I'd hate to unwittingly end up working alongside someone who gets so upset about people sticking to their contracts. Especially if they were in HR! Don't get me wrong, I've had my fun with these types in the past, but these days I cba.

YANBU at all, OP. You made your position clear from the start. Your family should always be the priority. I think you have been perfectly reasonable and it is up to your manager to make the necessary arrangements for cover. If they wanted someone with more flexibility then they should have made that clear from the outset and hired accordingly.

The refusal is fine the attitude stinks. All the OP needed to say was that she had made it very clear she could only 2 days when she was hired. All the stuff about the hourly rate, being over qualified and so on was unnecessary and arrogant

Oliversmumsarmy
The words Team Player are about how you work with other people.
Unfortunately it has taken on the meaning of general dogs body who will do anything.
In the grand scheme of things no one will thank you and once you have crossed the Rubicon of working Saturdays you won’t be able to refuse the next time.

This

I don't see how and why people get offended when an employee knows they are overqualified, it's just stating an obvious fact. It's not demeaning that job, just saying they are over qualified....baffles me

Why is it so difficult for some women when a woman say's NO.

OP wants a small job to to test the waters.
She gets it, making her T&C absolutely clear.

Company now think they'll ask her to deviate from that. Fair enough.

But, why should she if she doesn't want to.

She made it very clear what she was prepared to do.

She doesn't know this company or woman from Adam.

I think if it doesn't suit the OP. That's it.

Some companies think once they hire you, they have you.

The OP is just a convenience for the company.

She owes them a fair days work for her paltry rate. Nothing more.

She most certainly does not owe them her weekend if it doesn't suit her.

I wouldn't give it a second thought OP. Not your problem.

In my professional life I would have been both a big team player and managed a team.
I firmly believe that employees are entitled to establish and abide by their T&C's, not just the employer.

perhaps suggest she take the kids out of nursery one day when she's working the Saturday and you cover that day off for her, so she takes the Saturday as toil in effect.

I think you are well within your rights to refuse. If HR didn't make it clear to your manager the terms they agreed to with you, that isn't your fault or your problem to solve.

I see this a lot in my organisation. The appointing manger specifies what they need in terms of hours, HR go a bit flexible then the manager and member of staff are stuck in a situation where they each have different expectations. Managers are always complaining about it and it can lead to quick turnover. Its also incredibly unfair to the successful candidates.

Stand your ground OP, and I don't think you sound anything but honest

Thanks again for the replies. I haven't meant to sound arrogant. I work really hard and I know I'm doing a good job. I made reference to pay because when I mentioned to my friend I said I didn't feel I was paid enough to work Saturdays and she said she thought my manager has obviously worked hard and got herself into a higher position so that she doesn't have to work Saturdays. My point was I've deliberately got myself a job where I can see my kids plenty and I just want to go in do a good job of my two days and go home. Thanks again sorry if I sound arrogant, I'm really nice really

£8.50 a hour? Unless it's in your contract that they can ask you to work extra days (though then you would need to be given appropriate notice) They can shove it, absolute cheeky fuckers. Employers can't just decide to vary your terms and conditions without your agreement.

I might have considered it if she hadn't been so funny about not seeing her kids all week, that's her choice.

Um, choice or necessity.

Do what you like, but don't be dismissive of other peoples' circumstances.

And would doing one Saturday have killed you? They would then have owed you a favour.

It’s all very well offering to cover now, but what happens when the receptionist goes sick or has more annual leave. Is there only one receptionist? Say no. The managers inefficiency in not organising cover is not your problem.

Tbh. It was terrible planning to take you on for two.days a week without stipulating that you would also need to cover for other people's holidays occasionally ( perhaps with a maximum extra hours per week ).

I imagine if they had said that at the time you might have taken the job anyway, if not I am sure they could have found some one more flexible for what sounds like a not particularly skilled job. As they didn't however you are of course within your rights to stick.to.the contract. I am quite glad I don't work with you however.

I would do one Saturday to help out because at some point sports day, nativity or another school event may fall on a work day and you might want a swap. Keeps the goodwill.

To be honest, for just 1 Saturday, I would offer to do it for double pay; assuming you have a partner, who could get some valuable 1 to 1 time with DC

Just check that your contract doesn't say anything about covering leave.
If it doesn't then politely explain that you took this job due to the fact there was no weekend working or more than 2 days a week and you need to stick to the weekend bit but offer the extra week day again.

I actually can't believe how many people think the manager not getting to see her kids as much is somehow relevant to the OP.
It's relevant because it's about doing the decent thing. OP will still get lots of time with her kids and yet she'd be doing something nice for her manager as a one-off (she can still say no in future) AND being paid for it. Everyone wins.