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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To only want to work my contracted hours?

11 replies

Lucy304 · 22/01/2021 23:17

Hi,
My employers take a very dim view of those who just want to work their contracted hours and go home. They feel it indicates a lack of dedication and commitment to the job.
I've always gone above and beyond, and put in a lot of extra hours over the years. But now I've got my DD. And I just want to leave on time so I get to spend the maximum amount of time with her. But I'm struggling to ignore the grumbles, sarky comments and guilt trip from my bosses.
Any words of advice?

OP posts:

StrugglingICUnurse · 22/01/2021 23:21

Stand your ground.

wendyleen · 22/01/2021 23:22

Find a new employer.

TaraR2020 · 22/01/2021 23:22

Tbh it's probably time to search for a new job. I've worked in roles like this and it's a no-win situation for the employee. Rather than burn out with the resulting stress and letting it undermine your confidence and working relationships, move on to something that is a better fit for you now.

Butchyrestingface · 22/01/2021 23:24

What field is it? There are some jobs where it seems to be more or less par for the course that you will work over and above your contracted hours.

NovemberR · 22/01/2021 23:25

I'm quite stroppy. The very first sarky comment would have had me saying Are you offering me paid overtime? You appear to want me to work over my contracted hours.

And I'd have waited with an enquiring look and polite expression on my face...

Childrenofthestones · 22/01/2021 23:27

@NovemberR

I'm quite stroppy. The very first sarky comment would have had me saying Are you offering me paid overtime? You appear to want me to work over my contracted hours.

And I'd have waited with an enquiring look and polite expression on my face...

This ^^^

tatutata · 22/01/2021 23:27

Welcome to motherhood... I have had this issue for years. Worked with the same team, moving around various companies and projects (consulting), we were expected to put in face time, entertain, be seen to be putting in more work than the clients were so that they felt our day rate was worth it.I went back to it, but I left on time. They were utter ducks to me, even though they had known me for years. Fair enough - so I left to have another baby, and took a client side job in teams where everyone has kids. And then proceeded to work in Germany and France most of the time, I had a wonderful nanny whom I still miss. All fell apart for me after baby #3, but would otherwise have been fine. Not sure that's useful!

saraclara · 22/01/2021 23:30

Depends on the job. In some professions official hours are notional. No teacher could get by working only the hours they're paid for. I have friends who work for companies where the latest contract is all, and just walking away from a deadline would be suicidal. But they knew that when they joined and they don't think anything of it as they earn a commensurate salary.

Without knowing what your job is, it's hard to say.

PottyRuddy · 22/01/2021 23:34

Agree with PP, part of me would want to ask who they wanted me to send my overtime hours to then for accounting in my next payslip?

Although I know from working in law that some sectors just expect this and see you as a none 'team player' if you don't. Which is shit. Having said that, I went from a large city centre firm that was like this to a much smaller traditional one who place much more value on home / work life balance. It's a much nicer environment.

Original poster

Lucy304 · 22/01/2021 23:41

Thanks for all the replies. I work for a company that sells spare parts for vehicles. It's a small team so I do bits of everything in the office - sales, bookkeeping, general admin.
Don't get me wrong, I do enjoy it and put 100% in when I'm there. I don't really want to leave, especially in the current job climate.
I wish I could be stroppy, as previously suggested! Can be tough if it's not your nature though. My biggest problem is that I've set this standard by how I've acted in the past. My bosses expect things to just carry on as they were pre-baby.

OP posts:

sneakysnoopysniper · 22/01/2021 23:58

Good few years ago (1980s) I was in a situation where I did a lot of work at home in addition to contracted hours. I was also very fast compared with some colleagues and made them look slow by contrast. I got an unappreciative boss so I began to simply cut out the extras and work the hours I was paid. I also slowed down to same work pace as colleagues. One day boss called me in and said he noticed I was "less productive" than before. I asked for examples and showed that the time I had taken for these tasks was similar to other colleagues.

"But last year you only took X days and this year you took Y days to complete this."

"That was last year. I have health issues and rather than going absent sick for an extended period and creating problems for colleagues I am doing what is reasonably possible due to my current state of health. Im happy to discuss this further after examination by the the medical officer of health and my consultation with union my rep if you wish. However as I have evidence that I am just as productive as my colleagues you may find that you encounter some difficulties that lead to further action if you proceed."

There were no further conversations of this type because I had tied the bosses hands. It was local government and for employers to be seen to mix illness with disciplinary matters counts as harassment. Eventually I left.

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