Who is in the right here, work wise?

[Anafternoonofbingewatching]

I have a part time job in a family home. I have set hours and days, but have often been very flexible when these have changed and they have been flexible with me on occasion.
My working hours for today are always 9.30-12.30. Fairly late last night, they texted and asked me to start at 10.30
as they would be home late and sleeping in in the morning (this has happened lots before) I agreed.
Was in the middle of working and employer asked me when I finished, I said 12.30, nothing more was said. At around 12.25, she said she had to nip out and could I stay half and hour more. I was a bit reluctant as did have things I wanted to do, but I agreed, expecting to leave at 1 and thinking I could do it then. She arrived back at 1.18, no apology etc. I started to get my bag ready to go and she said quite rudely ‘(My name) it’s 1.18?’ I didn’t really understand and said ‘Oh?’ and she said could I stay until 1.30 to round up to the hour and again asked when I started, to which I replied 1.30 and said yes ok and put all my bags back etc.
Just went home feeling a bit odd about it. I was meant to leave at 12.30, stayed a little longer to help her out, then she was late and didn’t apologise and then said that.
Or am I in the wrong here?
Im always v v flexible with her and have helped her out so much in last minute situations.

If you are employed for 3 hours, then yes - I would have expected you to work 10:30 - 13:30. However, as an employer, I would also make sure I clarified that with you, especially if I am asking you a favour.

Just make sure you know next time - you don't want your employer thinking you are taking the piss.

OP said she only expected too be paid for 2 hours

@Bharath Not expecting to be paid…I only get paid for the hours I work
I’m still not sure as she specifically asked when I finished and I said, then she pushed that by walking out of the door so I didn’t have much option and then came back later that the quick half hour she said and then expected me to stay longer

@Dinopawus Not sure how I was taking the piss though or how they’d think that as I don’t get paid for hours I don’t work and usually finish at 12.30

Well, as you only usually charge for the two hours when they ask you to start kate, I'd say swbu in expecting you to do the full 3, and was quite rude in her coercion. I wouldn't particularly want to work for her after that, but if you do then just mention miscommunication, tell her you had had things you'd needed to do so you need to clarify for the future. Make sure she knows that you do only charge for the hours you actually do, as she may not even have noticed that and assumed you're just taking a paid hour off each time.

I agree that it was probably a misunderstanding, she thought you were still going to do the 3h.
Our cleaner had similar issues with some of her customers who kept changing the times with short notice. She introduced a new condition to her contract that any changes needs a week notice, or the full amount is due for the contracted hours (so in you case she would have come at 10:30, worked 2h and be paid for the 3h).
I think it's fair!

I’d chalk it up to misunderstanding. I think she wanted you to work until 1.30. So just start later but still do 3 hours. She should have been explicit.
In future I’d just be clear. Yes I can do 10.30 start but I need to leave at 12.30 as usual etc.

Seems like a misunderstanding…but I feel uncomfortable with the way she spoke and after I’d actually said I finish at 12.30…why didn’t she query it then
It happens a lot and I do end up wasting some of the day due to her changes and having to stay later etc

Can you speak to her and say that. Flexibility is only good if it works both ways. If it’s not working for you you need to say.

She was presumptuous and you lacked assertiveness.

Learn the lesson from this and do not be so agreeable in future, you have to learn to say no. I have had the same experience in the past. When trying to help people out, they come to EXPECT you to always agree. This is wrong on their part.

You have to learn to say no, sorry I have plans, even if you don't sometimes. Especially at last-minute requests. This means they are less likely to take advantage of your kind nature and assume you will always help them, with no thought about your own plans.

Do you have your work hours in writing? If not, I would just clarify EVERY time they change or tweak your hours, text message confirmation. Something like 'Just to confirm the change of work hours for tomorrow: 10:30-12:30, 8:30-1230 ' etc. Always keep the work our end time the same, unless they specify they expect a later finish. This should be confirmed at the time of them requesting the later or earlier start. If they don't mention it, you need to state I still have to finish at 12:30.

I disagree that it was a breakdown in communication. I think she was rude and comes across as quite entitled.

At around 12.25, she said she had to nip out and could I stay half and hour more.

This bit is key. She knew you were finsihing at 12.30 (plus you said you'd already told her that) and she didn't like it. So she asked you to stay half an hour more, minutes before she knew you were about to leave, and then was late back from that. Asking you to stay half an hour more means she knew you were leaving at 12.30.

Then when you went to leave, 12 minutes before the time she decided was acceptable to her, she was miffed and yes she was rude to you.

I would say that she wanted you to stay until 1.30 and then made damn sure that you did, regardless of the fact she knew that wasn't the agreement.

Aside from any of that, she was rude to you. You adjusted to accommodate her change in start time and she took the piss. Next time she asks for a change in time, say no. Even if you can do it. I think she is possibly taking advantage of your good and flexible nature and may do her some good to be told, nope can't do it this time, sorry.

I would pay the full amount because of the short notice. It isn't fair to mess people around especially when the hourly rate isn't huge.

she should have said she wanted your usual hours but starting later
you cant blame her for wanting to round it up, but as said above better communication needed

didnt you have a clue she would want the 3 hours despite starting later?

speak up next time op
you were happy to start later but you needed to leave at 12.30