To ask what you think to this...

[KatyKite]

I acted a little unprofessional at my new work and discussed working time directives with two colleagues

It came on as they were discussing working continuously on-call, no days off, 20+ hour shifts, not getting days off etc.

I was reported and questioned by my manager and HR about the conversation

I found the things they said to me a bit startling. I was told that me apologising for one of them emailing me when at home on their day off by saying sorry if this is in your personal time.

I was told that was "worrying", and they want someone "flexible"
They said they're like a family and everyone steps up
This job doesn't work for people who are rigid with their working hours
They don't want someone who won't answer queries on their days off if someone junior rings up to ask
They want someone who will stay over their time if needed

I'm sat there thinking... ok fine....i'm looking for another job whilst pretending I am acknowledging what they're saying

To me this sounds like we don't care about working laws, we don't care about your work-life balance, we want to drain as much out of you as we can

Get out as fast as you can. What they really mean is they want minions whose entire lives revolve around their every whim and demand. "Like a family" my arse. I'd be telling them I don't need another bloody family as I walk out the door.

If they are like family I hope they’ve discussed how much you are

Oops pre posted
I hope they have discussed how much you are going to inherit.

Sounds like an illegal use of contracts to me. Speak to ACAS in the first instance for advice on employment law (working hours, H&S at work etc.).

Working time directives? You mean the law?

Since when is it unprofessional to discuss the law as it pertains to employment with colleagues?

What sector is this place in?

@thetimekeeper its private healthcare

They are CFs, good luck finding a proper employer asap. Be careful, employers like this are begging for Brexit so they won't be governed by the regulations that they already believe don't apply to them.

I thought it might be healthcare related. It sounds like somewhere that just doesn't want to hire sufficient staff for the work it needs doing. Like they want serfs not staff.

Once you opt out of the 48 hour limit there is no secondary upper limit as far as I'm aware, but there are rules on how many hours of rest you must have had between ending one shift and returning for the next.

I fear your experience is a sign of the times. Best wishes in finding new employment.

Sounds horrendous.

There’s nothing unprofessional about discussing WTD’s, so you haven’t done anything wrong. The sooner you get out of there, the better.