To ask you'd do a 48-50 hour working week?

[Donthaveanameinmind]

On a regular basis? I've started a new job, I'm in week 1 and having doubts.

The way it was presented at interview sounded like a choice between two shift patterns. Started the job and there is an unwritten pressure to do the later shift..it would mean me getting home at around 7:45pm 5 times a week which is a lot.

I've tried to be clear and say that I cannot do it every evening and just certain days. They've said they will let me know if they want me on overtime, so I said I can with notice.

They've then come back and said it could be a same-day request, so i could be asked at very short notice to do an extra 2 hours. Or, it may be requested in advance depending.

Honestly it's concerning me, I have pets and I don't want them left for 11 hours at a time every day. Whether others do isn't the issue, i don't personally want to. Not only that but I can't make many plans, a lot of clubs/cinema etc start earlier and if I'm doing 10 hour days every day I'll likely be knackered.

Would you do this? I think they want someone who's married to the job who can stay late at short notice, and this wasn't communicated in interview.

I also don't want to be reliant on the overtime money then suddenly it's cancelled because they've got extra staff.

What is the job? What does your contract state, hours wise?

I did 50 hours a week for 2 years, some weeks it was up to 65/70 hours but 55 per week was normal (including 5 hours of overtime). It was full on but my commute was only about 20 mins which helped.

It's a compliance/administration type role, it states a 37.5 hour working week, 40 hours with 30 min unpaid lunch. Doesn't state a specific shift pattern.

No. I wouldn't unless paid very well.

It's paid £14.20 per hour

No way. I work 30 hours a week running my own business and that’s perfect for me.

It means any sort of appointments are limited to weekends, restricts social events, seeing family etc.

No I wouldn't work those hours for that pay.

I'd be happy to do up to about 45 but it's not that, it's the principle that they can expect you to just add another couple of hours onto your shift with no notice (meaning you only get a 30 min break in 10 hours)

I don't even like working 36 hours a week, so definitely not

The other person has said she can never do it, ever because she has children, and that was accepted by management, so it seems the expectation is on me which I feel is unfair.

You’ve said it doesn’t matter what others do because you don’t want to do it, but then are asking if others would be prepared to do it

i usually work at least a 50 hour week but I’m in a senior role.

are they paying you overtime?

No, honestly just no. Unless you want it for money in which case you might want to stick it out a year or two and save but it’s giving up your life really isn’t it?

Sorry I meant that about the leaving pets all day

No enhanced overtime rate just usual rate. Hell would freeze over before I did that for free!

I wouldn't do this ever!

If it were completely optional and agreed in advance it's different, but they've already said id 'ideally' be finishing late every evening and it may be same-day notice.

I wouldnt do it on the basis you're describing.... If it was like a step up job to further my career, or if those kind of hours were expected for the kind of role (maybe like Dr's, teachers, lawyers etc) But for any kind of admin role I wouldn't regularly do those hours.

It sounds like you've started being flexible so your employer is now asking you because of that - they think hey @Donthaveanameinmind seems flexible - lets ask them to do more?

If you want the extra hours for more money - thats one thing - but if it's encroaching on your socialising regularly thats too much.

bear in mind though - while you've been employed for less than 2 years they can get rid of you for almost no reason.

So they have advertised the role as a pattern. But since hiring you the other person has said she will only do one of the two patterns? This is a problem for management. They shouldn't have told you there was an earlier shift available and then give them all to the other person.
BUT...If you want to stay at this job it sounds like you'll have to suck it up and do the later shift with potential overtime. Otherwise look for something else.

Yeah because I'm on probation what's worrying me is that they'll decide im not flexible enough and want to get rid. I've got an interview this afternoon for a split shift role, still some late evenings but agreed in advance and a break in the day to go home and sort my pets, plus nearer to home

Does it state working hours eg 9-5?

honestly, they are taking advantage. I would refer them to your contract and say, thats not what was agreed when i took the job. With regards to shifts, if its all been wishy washy and doesn’t state on contract then also say no. Your work life balance is necessary. You have commitments. Get a note pad. Keep a diary and log every interaction with date, who it was with and what was said. You might need it at s later date

Yeah i do feel like I've been backed into a corner a bit. Or if I could do the 10 hour days over 4 days a week or a 9-day fortnight but they won't allow it.

Conveniently it doesn't state the exact hours, however i was told on the interview 'you can do 9-5 or 11-7 but we prefer 11-7' however i heard a preference, not 'we need you to finish at 7 every night'

not for that money! You need time to have a life OP