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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think this is an improvement in working terms

32 replies

Wale90 · 05/08/2020 18:37

its become very clear our business can run with staff in for less hours, we've been very busy but despite reducing our working day for staff we are largely coping.

We cannot afford pay rises and staff already have an over average pay with more than the standard holiday allowance. If you were told your working day was to be reduced two hours, which would also mean you no longer qualify for a (unpaid) lunch break (30 mins) buf your salary is the same; would you this as an improvement? Or would you be disappointed in not getting an actual pay rise (last one being 3 years ago)

OP posts:
KittyFantastico · 05/08/2020 18:45

It would depend on the change is hours as some people may have in-work benefits with a minimum hours requirement (e.g., Working Tax Credits) that would be adversely affected by a reduction in hours despite their income remaining the same.

By and large though, if salary is staying the same and it won't affect any top-ups then they're not losing out by working less hours.

Leaannb · 05/08/2020 18:59

Are you expecting people to come into a brick and mortar building for only 2 hours?

Lovewinemorethanhusband · 05/08/2020 19:02

only working 6 hours a day in my book is ideal, I'd take reduced hours on same pay!

KittyFantastico · 05/08/2020 19:02

I read it as reduced by two hours rather than reduced to two hours...

Hollyhead · 05/08/2020 19:03

I would be massively happy with that arrangement!

milienhaus · 05/08/2020 19:04

I’d like reduced hours but would like the option to still have the half hour unpaid lunch - six hours with no break is tough.

milienhaus · 05/08/2020 19:05

(And in that case obviously I would stay half an hour late!)

EinsteinaGogo · 05/08/2020 19:06

It seems like a winner for your staff. Less hours for same pay = higher hourly rate = pay increase.

BUT

Is it good business practice for you? Are your staff specialist and hard to replace? What's your reasoning?

Racoonworld · 05/08/2020 19:06

Yes would love reduced hours for same pay. I’d take that overs pay rise actually

amylou8 · 05/08/2020 19:07

Yep I'd be happy with that, as long as the role allowed me to grab a drink and a sandwich as I was working. If not 6 hours is too long without a break.

Darkestseasonofall · 05/08/2020 19:15

As a working mother this would be heavenly, I could accommodate the school run (or at least one side of it) and still get the same pay. Where can I sign up!?

SoloMummy · 05/08/2020 20:03

A 6 hour working day is actually incredibly productive. I do this and can far more manage everything at work and home life. Even if you were a commuter, with flexible working etc, the improvement to life would be amazing. Even better if could condense hours so 30 hours over 3 or 4 days. Same pay and a day off!

CorianderLord · 05/08/2020 20:08

Yes I'd be thrilled so long as my pay remained

CastleCrasher · 05/08/2020 20:19

I'd sign up in a heartbeat, providing that I was able to grab a quick bite while I worked (I already work throughout my unpaid lunch anyway!)

Starbuggy · 05/08/2020 20:23

Personally I would rather have a pay rise than reduced hours tbh. For staff on above average pay it may be ok, I think for staff on lower incomes, they may end up struggling to keep up with rising cost of living.

And it would need to be a job where people don’t routinely do more than their contract hours, or they’ll end up doing the same hours they do now to get the job done so no benefit to them and they still don’t get a pay rise.

I expect your staff will agree regardless though, it’s not a time when people will want to risk being out of work.

SoloMummy · 05/08/2020 20:27

@Starbuggy

Personally I would rather have a pay rise than reduced hours tbh. For staff on above average pay it may be ok, I think for staff on lower incomes, they may end up struggling to keep up with rising cost of living.

And it would need to be a job where people don’t routinely do more than their contract hours, or they’ll end up doing the same hours they do now to get the job done so no benefit to them and they still don’t get a pay rise.

I expect your staff will agree regardless though, it’s not a time when people will want to risk being out of work.

But that's not the case with this op who stated, over average pay with more than the standard holiday allowance.
LaurieFairyCake · 05/08/2020 20:37

Is that 6 hours with no break at all?

I couldn't manage without a cup of tea/snack I don't think

Original poster
Wale90 · 05/08/2020 21:36

Thanks all,

Desk based, as many cups of tea as you like and snack at desk acceptable. Would get 15 minutes away from desk as a break.

OP posts:
giggly · 05/08/2020 21:40

Well I haven’t been able to take my unpaid lunch break for years due to demand on my time so I’d take that in a heartbeat

Waxonwaxoff0 · 05/08/2020 21:40

I work 6 hour days 8.30-2.30, I really like it. I have no break but I can eat at my desk and get up to make tea etc. Plus it means I only have to use breakfast club for DS and can be there for school pick up.

Eeeeeeeok · 06/08/2020 18:48

I work in the cultural sector so payrises are suoe rare. Its a competitive sector so we're grateful we have jobs. So I'd be happy with this. But I'm not sure if this is just because I've only got a pay rise when I've moved up positions. I also feel its better than nothing for your staff

Eeeeeeeok · 06/08/2020 18:50

I would need to eat in that time though! So appreciate not everyone has the same metabolism.

Ellmau · 06/08/2020 19:13

I wouldn't want to not be allowed lunch.

And if I was doing reduced hours I might prefer to do fewer but longer days, so I could maybe get another pt job.

Mintychoc1 · 06/08/2020 19:17

Why is the company reducing people’s hours if it isn’t saving the company any money?

CloudsCanLookLikeSheep · 07/08/2020 08:07

I'd give the option of 6 hours without a break or 6 and a half with and let employee decide, if that was possible