Hoping to start a new ft (37.5 hrs) job, however other staff seem to do 45+ hrs/week. How/when do I tell them I can't work that many hours?

[Norrsken]

I hope to get a permanent job offer with a private sector company this week. I've already done 2 weeks temping work for them, so they could see how I would fit in. An employment agency found this position for me, it's an Accounts position.

The thing is, I'm looking for a 'normal' ft job of 37.5 hrs and would expect to work 8.30-17.00, and the agency knows this. However the other staff in the office seem to work 8 am-6pm, ie a 45 hrs week if they take an hour's lunch break. I can't do these hours, the after-school club finishes at 6!

How/ when should I tell the company I can't work such long hours? Should I wait until I get a job offer, and then iron out the details?

I'd wait for the actual offer, and check the wording. Although if it's an agency, no harm in checking with them now I suppose.
There might be folk working until 6 because they are willing and there's paid overtime. They might be there but not officially working, just killing time until their lift / transport. Might have some flexi time deals.

Yeah, good luck with that. It doesn't happen, they've reeled you in (disclaimer, I may be a bitter solicitor who works around 40 hours for 32 hours pay).

drquin I didn't consider paid overtime. The other staff say they're busy and it's a small team of 3, so they might be there for overtime. Everyone drives so they're not waiting for lifts.

overcooked that's the kind of situation I'm trying to avoid! It's not a very well paid job and if I'm supposed to do 7 hrs unpaid a week, I might as well not bother and stay in my part time job.

It may not be a popular view (especially on MN), but my advice is to seriously consider whether you want to work there. The culture is clearly that people put in more hours (I'd guess unpaid) to get the job done, you may not think its fair but it's a reality for a lot of people and if you know what you're walking into and you're choosing to ignore it, I think you're setting yourself up for a fall. In all likelihood, you'd be judged for leaving on the dot, which is likely to be unpopular with colleagues who stay on and won't go down well with your boss. In these sort of situations, you'd be unlikely to be managed against this but I think it'd have an impact on how much commitment they reckon you had to the job, potentially impact on performance ratings, etc.

As a temp, one of the great benefits is that you get to experience the reality of working for lots of organisations, and can make an "eyes-wide-open" judgement of how well a job fits you. Bear in mind that finding a job is a two way street. You get to choose too.

If you take this job, I think you'll have to find a way of working the expected hours or accept the judgement/consequences of going against the culture.

I'm with blankiefan. If everyone is doing 8-6 you will need to do 8-6. If you are asking for flexible hours and they allow it, then the expectation is 7-5 or 8-5 then catch up an hour after kids gone to sleep. If it is a well paid job and you aren't paid hourly, then there is no overtime. You will be compared with other staff who works longer hours than you. Are there anyone on flexible hours in the office? Any part time workers?

It is much harder to find such things out when you interview for the job. But I brought out childcare issues at the end of the interviews when I looked for a job end of last year. Neither of the place I interviewed have problems with it. For example I'm on 8-4.30 at my current job. I believe if they can't accommodate that then it's not a place I want to work for.

If it is a well paid job and not paid by the hour then it probably expects you to put in extra hours to get the job done. Therefore if you get the job done in 37 hours you do the designated hours but have to put a bit extra in some of the time to complete what is required of you.

I know that I could earn quite a lot more than I do but I like the fact that I don't have to do too much free overtime. Any pay rise in another job may not actually increase my hourly wage if I am expected to do more hours.

However, if the contract says specific hours then I would imagine that you only need to be in the office then and so could take work home etc. to deal with childcare. If the official hours don't fit with childcare then I would ask at interview about changing them slightly.

It may be the culture, or they've been under staffed for so long that it's become the culture. Are you replacing anyone or is it a new position?
Even if it's salaried, overtime is still a possibility. I have been paid it in the past for specific overtime.
Most places would at least be willing to let you take 30mins for lunch instead.

8 to 6? Run for the hills!

If they are contracted to work 37 hours and are working 45 hours then they have too much work to do. I very much doubt they are being paid overtime. Unless you are paid by the hour, who does these days?

If you are looking to work 9 to 5 and need to get out of the door on time you need to find a place where that is the norm otherwise you will be on the receiving end of the sly comment brigade. T'is not worth it!

If your contracted hours are 7.5 per day then just do that. My DH opened my eyes to work life balance! He works 37 hours a week and rarely does anymore, unless there has been a major fuck up he just gets up and says see you tomorrow

I think at first they were surprised because like you everyone else was working much longer hours but he works very proficiently and has actually reworked some of their procedures to increase productivity and cut out time wasting stuff.

It hasnt affected his career but he genuinely doesn't think anyone there neecs to be working as much overtime for free as they do.

I think you may need to clarify what the full time hours are at that particular workplace. my sister works at a company where the full-time hours are 8am-6pm and the contract says something like up to 48hours a week. Full time in the various places I have worked have varied between 32.5 and 40 hours. might be worth checking.

Wait for the offer and then discuss details and expectations, but as Blankie says, this may not be the right place for you

It all worked out in the end! I was offered the job today, and asked about the contracted hours. Apparently some staff 'choose' to stay on for longer, for whatever reason, but I would not be expected to, and my manager made it very clear that I wouldn't be expected to work beyond my contacted hours.

Great! Congrats

congrats. glad it all worked out.