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.

Nope. This wasn't what was sold to you at interview. Doesn't matter whether you have an 'excuse' such as children, you have a life and want a good work/life balance - so no. Stick to your guns or they will take the piss. If they are arsey following that then you know this firm isn't for you. I'm a legal assistant and I once interviewed for a small firm who indicated that they want the client to come first at all costs, contact outside of working hours, staying late etc. I've got children, but even if I didn't that's a hard no. They were shocked when I turned down the job! The wages were shite too, so all that extra for nothing.

Not justifying it...but you are also on more than £14 per hour. You are in a profession rather than an admin job.

Fantastic news! Well done on getting the other job!

I work at least that as a teacher and have done for the last 13 years. If it wasn’t for the regular holidays, there is no way it would be sustainable for me.

My first job was a trainee manager with Sainsburys. Moved to London for the job at 18, they provided hostel accommodation at a reasonable price
. First day, start at 10.00 to be introduced to the job. Was told that the next day, start at 7.00am. No problem, I thought, 8 hour day, be finished at 4.00pm after an hour for lunch. No. 6.00pm finish, so that was a regular 10 hour day, so 50 per week, plus an extra 4 hours one day a week, working till 10.00pm. Plus extra at Christmas and Easter. I really enjoyed the job, good training, good, regular promotions and good prospects, but they expected the job to be the main thing in your life and nothing else mattered. Also, I was paid some overtime, but no where near the number of hours I was expected to work. I lasted 6 years, and it did set me in good stead for future jobs. The straw that made me look elsewhere? They cancelled a Saturday off the day before. I was going to a friend's wedding, had it all booked. It was made clear if I took the day off it would affect my future prospects. I worked, and resigned 4 weeks later, and never regretted it.

Just say no, your contracted hours are clear and they can't penalise you for not working more, stick to your guns and start looking for another role

You should be given a copy of that, or at least a written statement of employment particulars, on your first day.

Anyway, I definitely agree it’s unreasonable to expect you to agree to overtime same day. Especially as you have pets. But equally, it could be children, or parents that you need to care for.

Sadly I’m not surprised. I see so many job ads where they say that employees need to be “fully flexible” without offering anything in return. A local branch of Costa (franchise) is always doing this and to me, it’s a massive red flag. Surprisingly theyre often advertising for new staff. 🤔

No way. Leave/ look to leave. Don’t even consider it. Sounds horrendous

No, no, no, the other person has said she can never do it, and they have accepted that, and she has her job.
You can say ( if you want to) that you can work late occasionally, with notice. You don’t have to agree to regular extra hours, and you don’t have to accept short notice either.

Do you work for Capita by any chance @Donthaveanameinmind ? I did, many years ago in a similar compliance position and it sounds like an incredibly similar story to what I went through with them. It’s a long shot of course but it’s just giving me Déjà vu!

Re your pets, dogs I’d never leave that long, cats I think most would be ok, maybe see if someone can check on them halfway through the day but a daily cat sitter/checker would be expensive, as would doggie daycare. Dogs really can’t be left that long though, not regularly, even in an emergency it would be a long time to a dog.

What pets do you have and what plan do you have in place for them? Pet sitter, dog walker?
It wouldn't be worth the overtime pay if it all goes on pet sitting costs, so I would just say no
Please don't leave your pets alone for that long

3 cats, nobody who can visit during the day sadly but in any case I fortunately have an offer for a job with much better hours.

For me, 48 hours is a quiet week. But then, I am self employed and work the hours I want.

DS aged 19 is doing 10hr shifts in a bakery. 4 shifts per week. He did Monday Tuesday Friday Saturday this week . Has his rest day today and then doing Monday to Thursday next week. He has worked all summer holidays. Back to college the following week so for him this is only short term. He hates the work and the shifts but knows he needs the money. He will only be available the occasional Saturday shift once college goes back.

DS also paid NMW. If I were you OP I would look for another job if they're unwilling to be flexible.

Sounds as though you are being taken advantage of for only slightly more than the minimum wage, because the other employee required the other shift as she has children. 48 hours is the max ACAS state you can work without putting it in writing that you want to opt out of this rule and work more, so you should not be working 50 without having done this. Also most good employers pay overtime rates of time and a half after 37 hpw and even double time on weekends or bank holidays. 30 mins unpaid lunch allowance for over 6 hours a day is legal, but sounds very mean to me. The question I would ask is do you live to work or work to live? Your pets and hobbies are important for both your mental and physical health and I would suggest you look for a more employee friendly position. Council and NHS jobs are usually a good option, though stressful. Wising you well. You only have one life.

If they want you to work over 40 hrs,they have to get you to sign that you agree to opt out of the working time directive. Just don't sign it

Congratulations on the new job, OP!
How much notice do you have to give to the other job before you can start the new one?
I am really pleased for you.

So pleased you have found another job with better hours. A wise decision for both you and your pets. Enjoy.

This sounds like THE job my friend did for a few months. If be interested to know where it is. 😉

Congratulations on the new job, well done!
Problem solved 🙂

Congratulations on the new job. This is the best outcome.

You can argue about your rights with your employer but they are not going to magically become reasonable when all the evidence points in the opposite direction.

Hopefully the new job also pays more!
Congratulations on your new job!

Don't do it