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Original poster

HELP! If you work part time - how does overtime get offered to you?

35 replies

sparkler1wantsaconservatory · 07/07/2006 17:59

I started a part time job this week (15 hours a week). Today I was given a sheet for an overtime rota for August. They've given me extra hours and some of them are days that I don't work. I wasn't asked if I would be available to do them - just given a sheet with dates and times and my name next to some of them.
Unfortunately, I can't work like this having two young children and am not sure what I am going to do about it. It's a shame as I'm enjoying the job.
I was told at inerview that extra hours would come up from time to time and I accept that. I did mention on my application for and interview that dd2 doesn't start school until September and won't be full time until the end of October and that I wouldn't be as flexible until then.
I thought overtime was optional. Have I got this wrong.

OP posts:
SenoraPostrophe · 07/07/2006 18:01

overtime is optional, but I've worked in jobs where they just assume you'll take it.

speak to your manager in the first instance - hopefully they'll just be able to change it.

Original poster
sparkler1wantsaconservatory · 07/07/2006 18:03

They've given me a lot of overtime for next month.

OP posts:
Original poster
sparkler1wantsaconservatory · 07/07/2006 18:05

I spoke to my supervisor and asked her what she would do if I was to say that I couldn't do some of the cover. She told me that she didn't know (in a very unimpressed way) and that she would speak to the practice manager when she returned from holiday. I think it's really going to bugger things up for them if I turn the hours down.

OP posts:
GeorginaA · 07/07/2006 18:13

What does your contract say about the overtime? Anything specific?

HRHQueenOfQuotes · 07/07/2006 18:17

Is there any chance you could 'swap' with anyone that's been given extra hours on the days you do work??

puff · 07/07/2006 18:23

overtime "from time to time" is different to a shedload of extra hours dumped on you via a rota with your name in it and no consultation.

If you can do some of the hours fine, but if you can't then you need to be firm about it.

Is the overtime because of the summer holidays? If so, it might be a blip.

If the overtime is due to staff shortages and they aren't going to recruit the appropriate number of staff, then this will be a perennial issue.

Smurfgirl · 07/07/2006 20:07

My last job where I worked p/t overtime was optional but I felt v.pressured to take it because people working f/t were unable to. I think its v.common when working p/t to be expected just to take any overtime offered but it is wrong. Towards the end of my last job I stopped taking it and got no negative reactions, I would talk to your manager.

lexiemum · 08/07/2006 07:27

from a managers perspective I prefer part time employees to do the overtime available as pay is at basic rate - full timers I have to pay time and a half. Though I do not tell people what overtime they are doing but I do tend to stick the new rotas under the noses of the part-timers first in the hope they'll take some shifts so I don't go too far overspent on the budget!

Original poster
sparkler1wantsaconservatory · 08/07/2006 14:26

I have had a chat with dh and have decided to call work on Monday morning. I am not on duty until Tuesday.
I am going to ask them if their overtime rotas are always done in the same way. If they are then I am going to have to give them my apologies and say that I'm sorry but that wasn't explained to me and that I am going to be unable to fit my family life around that.
The only thing I am concerned about now is that fact that I don't know what they will want me to do about working leave. In my contract I need to give 1 months notice. As I am still in training I'm not sure if it's going to benefit them in anyway to keep me on for another month or to let me go straight away. I'm not sure where I stand with this.

OP posts:
Northerner · 08/07/2006 14:29

Sparkler you don't ahve to give them any notice as you've only been there a week. Don't worry about it.

Good luck.

GeorginaA · 08/07/2006 14:29

Hmmm... are you still in a probationary period? Working notice in those conditions is usually much less than the standard 1 month (additionally, have you handed in your signed contract yet? If you haven't signed it you won't be bound to its conditions I would have thought?)

Original poster
sparkler1wantsaconservatory · 08/07/2006 14:30

I have signed it

OP posts:
GeorginaA · 08/07/2006 14:31

TBH I can't see them sticking to the 1 month notice - it'll be in both your interests not to continue the training.

Original poster
sparkler1wantsaconservatory · 08/07/2006 17:43

damn, gonna have to go back to being a lady of leisure again for a while
Looks like they have had a free week's work out of me too - dh doesn't think I'll get anything for doing it.

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Northerner · 08/07/2006 17:46

OOh no Sparkler they have to pay you for hours worked, even if it was only 2 hours they'd still have to pay you. It's the law. No one works for free.

Call ACAS if they are arsey about it. We had to a few years ago for dh.

Original poster
sparkler1wantsaconservatory · 08/07/2006 17:59

Can't wait for Monday morning now so I can get the phone call out of the way. It's ruining my weekend.

OP posts:
kid · 08/07/2006 18:02

Why don't you wait and see what the manager says about the overtime first? It might have been a case of them assuming you would want the extra hours. If you are contracted to 15 hours a week, then those are your hours, they can't make you do more, overtime is optional.

southeastastra · 08/07/2006 18:06

i agree with kid, maybe the others will be glad of extra overtime! when i worked in an office, i was always offered lots of overtime, sometimes i took it, but they always knew that i had other committments. they need to hire more staff if they have that much work! it seems a round about way for them to save money.

Original poster
sparkler1wantsaconservatory · 08/07/2006 19:32

feeling very about it all at the moment. roll on Monday morning

OP posts:
nikkie · 08/07/2006 23:00

Lexiemum- Is that legal? Isn't it discriminating against p/t workers? I work p/t and get time and 1/3 for o/t and boss prefers supply staff as they are only basic (and lower levels)

lexiemum · 09/07/2006 08:51

nikkie - yes it is (nhs employer)- called plain time extra over contractual hours. overtime is paid after reach 37.5hrs per week. overtime has to begin at some point - if an extra third was paid once over your contract then we would all sign 15hr contracts and work an extra 22.5hrs at time and a third wouldn't we?

nikkie · 09/07/2006 13:59

BUt o/t isn't guaranteed your contracted hours would be.In my job o/t can be loads like this month but before had nothing for 4 months.

mears · 09/07/2006 14:05

sparkler - your contract is for 15 hours therefore extra hours are optional if they agree with you. What I would no on Monday is inform them that you cannot do extra hours at the moment as you stated in your interview. You are not ruling it out in the future. However, if they are insistant then you may need to resign. I am sure they will want to keep you for the 15 hours you will be doing than have to interview all over again.

Are there any hours you could do BTW? Much better if a rota is put round for people to complete themselves. You might find that there are some hours suitable if you can select them yourself?

Original poster
sparkler1wantsaconservatory · 09/07/2006 20:23

My contract reads

your basic hours of duty at present are 15 hours per week. The practice is staffed Monday-Friday. Hours are agreed at interview but the doctors reserve the right to adjust these to assist in the smooth running of the practice.
Surgeries are usually staffed weekdays - 8.15am - 7.00pm.

Hours
Tuesday 8.30am - 13.30pm (5 hours)
Thursday 8.30am - 12.00pm (3 1/2 hours)
Friday 8.30am - 12.00pm 14.00 - 17.00pm (6 1/2 hours)

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Original poster
sparkler1wantsaconservatory · 09/07/2006 20:24

On the overtime rota they have given me - they have swapped a couple of my morning shifts to afternoons.

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