Boss expecting me to come into work earlier every day

[Moneyxmaker]

Hi, looking for some advice and to see where I stand with this issue.

I started working for this company 2 years ago as a cleaner and my hours were Mon-Fri 10-3.
8 months ago they asked me to start helping in the office so my schedule changed and I now work until 6:30 every day (cleaning 10-3 / office 3-6:30). I'm salaried if it's relevant, they do not pay overtime.

It is now expected that I should start earlier every day so the cleaning work can be finished on time in order for me to get to the office. It never mattered before if I finished later than 3 as I didn't need to be anywhere else afterwards.
Instead of her reducing my work load on the cleaning schedule she just expects me to come in earlier (for no extra pay) and if I say I can't because of x, y, z, she questions me and makes me feel guilty.

She has never asked me if I can come in earlier than normal, just assumes it's ok and that I don't have other commitments. As far as I'm aware I'm doing nothing wrong and as long as I'm in work for my contracted hours then she can't discipline me, but I just want to check and get some advice. Just to clarify, I don't mind coming in earlier/finishing later now and again, it's just the expectation that annoys me.

Your contracted hours are 10 - 6.30 so that's what you should work, especially if they don't pay overtime.

I presume you do get a lunch break.

Salaried as a cleaner? I’d work to rule and tell her you want overtime for extra hours.

I’m salaried and if I work above my 36 hours I get overtime and at a slight higher rate.

@PartTimeLegend no, I do not always get a lunch break, which also annoys me. Sometimes I go all day without eating then try and scoff something down once I'm in the office on the laptop.

I am currently job hunting as I'm not happy there, as I'm sure you can all probably tell.

You have to be given a lunch break by law after 6 hours.

Did your salaried pay increase 8 months ago, to reflect your increase in contracted hours?

@MrsGarethSouthgate yes it did

Can you ask for an extra half an hour’s pay each day then, to make sure you have enough time to complete the cleaning?

If she says no, what about just stopping the cleaning at 3pm to start the office work? If she’s not happy tasks aren’t complete you can explain that you used to stay on to do them without pay but that it isn’t possible anymore.

@Comefromaway

You have to be given a lunch break by law after 6 hours.

Just to clarify, the lunch break doesn't have to be after 6 hours. The fact you are working more than 6 hours means you are entitled to an uninterrupted break of at least 20 minutes.

I would ask if she wants to increase your hours, if not then say that you're in at 10. It's none of her business what you do outside the hours you're paid.