AIBU for wanting to quit my job due to frequently working overtime

[ThatFunRubyHelper]

I frequently work overtime unpaid. It can vary any where between 1- 6 hours per week depending on how shattered I am at the end of the working day/if I feel up to working more at the weekends.

I’ve tried to finish work quicker but it is a high volume so it is still a lot to keep up with. If I don’t overwork it piles up and becomes unmanageable.

My job pays about average UK pay.

Am I unreasonable to want to change? Or is this typical in most jobs? I’ve not had a lot of work experience prior to my current job so not sure if this is the norm!

I think lots of people will come on to tell you that that’s very normal for a job, but I am from the Camp of if they want me to work overtime, they have to pay me for it. I’ve never had a job where I didn’t get paid for overtime. Currently get 1.5 times pay for every hour I do overtime. And x2 for anything before 8 o’clock and at weekends.

What sort of job do you do. What does your contract day. If you have contacted hours I would have thought you would get over time. I take it you are not on a salary.

I work in the pharmaceutical industry in QC, I was a microbiologist but I’m in more of a compliance role.
Im on a salary yes. My contract states exactly what i explained as such
hours 8:00-16:30
x1.5 hours for overtime after 16:30
x2 for between 06:00-08:00 and one weekends
if I get asked to come in at the weekend (which rarely happens anymore because I’m not testing) then it’s classed as a call out which is x2 @ 4hours regardless of how long I am in there so 2 hours work = 8 hours pay.

If you are extremely well paid then, yes it would probably be normal
to do unpaid overtime. Normal job, normal pay - not on your Nelly!

It is not usual to work that many hours unpaid on a regular basis.

I would ask what is causing it? You effectively say that you cannot do your work in your ‘normal’ hours but is that because there is too much work or you don’t know how to do it efficiently? Have you been expected to pick up tasks someone else used to do? Do you need more training? Are other people in the team taking the p* and not doing enough? Etc.

if it is the job/company that is the issue then yes change jobs but if it is something more personal to you then there may be other ways to fix it.

I guess it depends on a few factors.
How long are you in the job, is the overtime necessary because you are not settled in enough or getting enough support?
Are you dependent on others to help you complete tasks, thus delaying you?
Are there tips to improve your performance that you can discuss with your boss in case you are spending too much time on certain things? Or ways they can reduce your workload if you are simply overloaded?
It has usually taken me a year in most roles I've been in to be hitting my most efficient and comfortable state.