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Original poster

Part time being paid less than full time to attend work function

28 replies

fishym2b · 06/05/2012 12:50

Is this right, I have been asked along with other representives from my department to attend the company awards overseas. So we won't strictly be working but the full time members of staff have been allocated three full days for this but I have only got three half days pay for doing the same.

Not sure what to say or do as it is a privilege etc to be asked to go but I am losing out especially ad will be a long day with travel etc.

Any thoughts/ advice?

OP posts:
milk · 06/05/2012 13:09

Are you expected to work the same hours as they are while on this trip?

Original poster
fishym2b · 06/05/2012 13:15

Well we won't strictly be working but are all traveling at the same times so will be there the same amount of time.

OP posts:
IAmSherlocked · 06/05/2012 13:24

Why are any of you being paid for what sounds like a jolly?! Confused Am not really sure where you stand on this - as a part-timer you cannot be excluded from opportunities offered to full-timers (so good that you have been asked to attend) but as you aren't working, I don't know how you can make a case for equal pay, iyswim - you can't argue that you will be working the same hours as the full-timers!

meditrina · 06/05/2012 13:28

When I was in his situation, I got TOIL plus extra (receipted) childcare costs.

Do your employers offer either/both?

Original poster
fishym2b · 06/05/2012 13:29

That is pretty much what I thought. Should just be happy for a week out of the office but it will be long days with the travelling and it doesn't seem right that everyone else is getting more for going than me.

OP posts:
AgentProvocateur · 06/05/2012 13:33

Do you mean you are all getting your normal week's pay for going, or are you being paid over and above?

Original poster
fishym2b · 06/05/2012 13:36

We are attending and being paid as our contracted hours for that week. I.e over three days I get 3 x 5hours on the rota but full time ppl have 3 x 7.5 hours

OP posts:
Original poster
fishym2b · 06/05/2012 13:36

Nobody is attending as overtime

OP posts:
KatieMiddleton · 06/05/2012 14:26

You should be paid for the time you're working. If you are required to work over and above your contracted hours you should be paid for that - after all it's not like you can knock off and go home if you're abroad.

If you were attending a course you would be paid for the whole day, plus reasonable travelling time if significantly more than your normal travel time.

As a general rule, employees don't work for free.

KatieMiddleton · 06/05/2012 14:26

Offering time off in lieu would be fine but ultimately your employer should agree this with you in advance.

maybenow · 06/05/2012 14:29

it sounds to me like this is a priviledge which you'd be absolutely ok to say 'no thank you' to - therefore they don't really need to pay you more than your usual weekly salary.

do you want to go? if not, or if it's too tricky with childcare and family commitments could you say 'no thank you'?

KatieMiddleton · 06/05/2012 14:45

Unless you're able to knock off for half a day and go and do your own thing then I really think they should pay you for the whole days.

If they are organising rewards that only full time employees can benefit from that would be unfair and would possibly cause problems with morale.

I think how you feel about this really depends on whether you would choose to spend your free time with your work colleagues. Realistically I don't think most people would choose to go on holiday with their workmates...

Original poster
fishym2b · 06/05/2012 14:58

I have been told I won't be allowed to leave the hotel to do my own thing. I XML currently 23wks pg and have had to get mil to fly over to help dh with child care for the week. Just seems like a bit of a hassle now for less recon pass than ft staff are getting.

OP posts:
KatieMiddleton · 06/05/2012 15:05

Well if they want to dictate how you spend their time they need to be paying you or giving you time off in lieu.

KatieMiddleton · 06/05/2012 15:06

"spend their time" Freudian slip there I think! Should read "spend your time".

Original poster
fishym2b · 06/05/2012 15:13

Just the thought of being paid for a 5 hour day that actually starts at 6 am then a flight transfer to hotel and do starting at 4pm going on all evening seems a bit wrong to me.

But didn't think it was a good idea to turn down the chance/ recognition of being asked to represent the team.

OP posts:
BackforGood · 06/05/2012 15:27

Occasionally, just occasionally, it makes sense to go with the flow, and then remind the team of it when you want a bit of flexibility for something. I can't really see how you can attend this 'do', and not do the extra hours. Also, it's difficult to make out if you are all considering this to be 'working' or a 'treat'. You've said it's not really working a couple of times, so maybe the folk who work full time would have a case to be a bit aggrieved that you are getting the same 'perks' even though you've done 2/3 of the work ???
Not saying that's right either, but just trying to look at it from another angle for you.

Original poster
fishym2b · 06/05/2012 15:34

But the people that work full time are getting more benefit for attending than I am. Also although I am part time I just do less hours I don't have less commitment or put less effort in at work. I actually do a very good job hence why I have been asked to go. I think I will just have to suck it up I am committed to going now.

OP posts:
Original poster
fishym2b · 06/05/2012 15:36

I guess it is a treat but will still be a high pressure event with us expected to represent and showcase the department I certainly don't think any is looking at it as one big party.

OP posts:
fabulousathome · 08/05/2012 01:04

I guess I'm being old fashioned and sexist when I say that you will soon be having maternity leave and hopefully company will be nice about that to you. Other colleagues may see you as "lucky" at that point.

I think it's best to go, not complain and keep that knowledge of extra hours as a bargaining tool for the future.

veryconfusedatthemoment · 08/05/2012 01:59

IME your flexibility will be forgotten before you even catch the flight home (sadly and unreasonably). By the sounds of it you are clearly working the same hours that week as the FT staff - so for that week only you need to paid the FT equivalent on your salary. The other staff dont need to know - it is none of their business. Can you talk to HR/line manager. It does sound a fantastic thing to do and you are right you would not have been chosen had you not been a great representative of the company.

differentnameforthis · 08/05/2012 05:33

As you won't be working as such, they are not really obliged to pay you I wouldn't have thought.

Sounds like you are getting paid for the hours you will miss if you were at work, rather than the hours you will be spending having fun.

I think that sounds fair.

differentnameforthis · 08/05/2012 05:45

I think it is fair! I went to San Diego a few years back along with my bosses (husband & wife) and 2 others. They paid for the working days (2) as per normal, but the one weekend day we were there, we didn't get paid. They also didn't pay us for the time we were travelling. Just 2 days regular wage.

We did have free time after/between the lectures, although not a great deal, we could still do what we wanted (and I am talking just enough time for a meal or couple of shops).

All flights, airport taxes, hotel rooms, meals, drinks were on them. All we paid for was what we used in the room in terms of movies hired & telephone calls.

Again, they are paying you your working week & paying your colleagues their working week. It isn't their fault that you can only commit to part time & they do full time, nor will it be your fault when you get several months maternity leave & they don't!!

Yes, you have to find childcare to cover your time away but that is not their fault when you decide to attend a voluntary function. When my workplace arranged a similar trip & I couldn't afford/get childcare, I simply didn't go, but I certainly did not think the onus was on my boss to pay me more than I earnt to fund childcare costs when they would have been paying all the other related charges too.

differentnameforthis · 08/05/2012 05:47

By the sounds of it you are clearly working the same hours that week as the FT staff - so for that week only you need to paid the FT equivalent on your salary. The other staff dont need to know - it is none of their business

She isn't even working, so they could even stipulate it is without pay!

HateBeingCantDoUpMyJeans · 08/05/2012 06:42

No-one is being paid to go, you are being as normal. You had a choice and choose to go. I am assuming it is all expenses paid (apart from spending money)? You are assuming that you are being put out more by going than those who are ft and that isn't necessarily so.

Why is it now you are questioning this? Has your dh or mil said something?

Would you be happier if you were only attending part of the holiday, afterall your getting a ft perk when you have cobtributed pt to it Wink