Overtime rate.

[Ilovedogs1]

Hello.
Just a querie re overtime.
My work place is presently short staffed due to sickness and retention issues.
Therefore the remaining staff have been asked to cover various shifts.
I work part time contracted hours and I have an over time rate in my contract.
I have already worked several extra shifts but they have asked if I will do some more.
My question is even though I have an overtime rate in my contract can I still negotiate a different rate for the other shifts they are asking me to do as its them that need the cover. I'm not obligated to work the extra shifts so I only would consider them at a slightly better rate.

Thanks

Would you be happy for them to reduce your rates when the balance of power tipped in their favour? Of course not. That’s what contracts of employment are for. They set out the expectations clearly for both parties, the employer and the employee.

The place ds worked for over the summer only paid overtime when you worked over full-time hours. Given you are not obligated to work more than your contract, you could try to negotiate a better rate - your choice whether you take it or not - they may take the hump though - employers often do over these kinds of things - try to ask nicely.

Places I've worked with available overtime have usually had it in place that part time workers don't get paid an enhanced overtime rate until they have surpassed full time hours so having an overtime rate as a part time worker seems very fair. It stops people dropping their contracts and picking up extras to get paid more overall, and it's not really fair on FT workers to be paid less than PT workers for the same hours.

The law allows for part-time workers to be treated more favourably than full-time workers.

I didn't know that. I guess that's why some places write it into contracts.