Unpaid overtime

[ledodgyrobespierre]

I'm just wondering if anyone knows of any laws about this. My dp has been working 48-50 hours a week lately when he's only contracted to do 37.5 hours and is not getting paid for these extra hours. He says this is the norm when you are salaried and not paid by the hour. I disagree and feel he's been taken advantage of. What are your thoughts?

This is the story of dh's life! He can't help himself and feels obliged to stay until the job's done.

It's bloody annoying isn't it? It's not helped by the fact that he has to commute 1 1/2-2 hours each way.

Sadly I think it's the norm too certainly IME

im afraid that is the case when salaried. my friend used to do lots of overtime when he got paid hourly, then got a promotion and got changed to salaried still does the overtime but doesn't get paid for overtime.

If he is contracted to work 37.5 hours a week then thats all he should be working , unless he agrees to work overtime which he should be paid for at the companies standard rate (ie 1.5 x for weekdays up till 10pm or 2x for after 10pm etc)

He certainly doesnt have to do it for nothing just because he is salaried! Nothing whatsoever to do with being paid hourly.

It might seem worthwhile if its for a short time only and will enhance his career prospects , but otherwise they are taking the mick.

that's one of the main reasons why dh is an IT contractor and not a permanent employee... it's lovely to have him home at a normal time.
I really loathe this culture of unpaid overtime.

In his last permanent job the boss had a go at him for not wanting to work (unpaid) at weekends on top of working for free an extra 1.5 hours at the end of every working day - said it showed a lack of commitment to the company.

Oh just seen I've had more replies, cheers you lot. I suppose i'll just have to deal with it for as long as it lasts, although it does seem unfair. Anyway he's off work for a week now on holiday so at least we'll get to see him!

The Working Time Regulations say that you cannot work more than 48 hours a week unless you have signed a personal disclaimer agreeing to waive this right. If his employer is allowing him to work more than 48 hours and he hasn't signed a disclaimer, then they are breaking the Law.

Thats truly awful jura. I thought that only happened for the absolute top managers.
So you can sign a contract for 37.5 hours but they can still make you do another 12 hours a week anway,without being paid ?
I know its pretty normal in America but I didnt realise it was widespread here.

ledodgyrobespierre enjoy the week !

The maximum under Working Time Regulations is an average of 48 hours over 17 weeks (and they can't count days of official holiday in that 17 weeks to bring the average down). So you can legally be asked to do more than that in an individual week as long as the average isn't above.