Torn...

[InAMess2023]

Been in my role 6 years but at this level 10, in this time done 3.5 years secondment on the higher level. Very very limited in terms of progression because of the niche role I do (but I'm NHS)

Due to various restructures, people leaving and not being replaced etc I've suddenly had an epiphany that I'm expected to fit 10 days worth of week into 4 days (I technically work full time over 4 days but I won't split hairs). I've always been very quick to turn over my own work so it's never been an issue... until it now is. I have so many unreasonable demands on my time that I am literally putting in so much unpaid overtime (at my grade I'm still technically allowed to claim overtime, it's just no one in my team or service ever does).

Its not having a horrendous impact so far on the rest of my life but I can see it's creeping in more and more. I'm cancelling plans to work, working on all my days off etc but mostly at present it's due to me having upcoming leave for a fortnight (abroad holiday where I plan to switch off). But it feels like between now and then I'm chained to the laptop 24/7. It was the same before my Christmas holidays

I'm very vocal about work issues normally but I have an appraisal next week and I just don't know if I should even bring this up since I could say no (consequences I'm not sure). But I'm so desperate for a promotion I want to prove I can do whatever is thrown at me! My mum is good friends with my boss and she keeps wanting to say how much extra work I'm doing etc which I know my boss then can't bring up at work but I wondered if it might plant seeds in her mind to check I'm still doing ok

I don't know whether to ride it out until my holiday then try and push back or raise it in my appraisal with a boss who won't do anything about it 🤷‍♀️

The real question is, why do you want to work for an organisation that values you so little? If you don't voice your concern, nothing will change. If you do voice your concern and it still doesn't change, your only option is to leave for something else. Definitely don't get your mum involved, that's something children do.

I would lay it out and then say you will be charging for overtime. If this is allowed then you can do it and it might bring them up short

In the appraisal I mean. Either you get paid for all the extra work or you will stop doing it

If you're cancelling plans and worrying about taking time off you definitely need to speak up. You will eventually burn out and that won't be good for you or your boss. Please speak up. You need time to decompress too.

I raised this kind of thing in a 121 once. I actually put in for overtime. All of the extra work was passed to a colleague and I was overlooked for promotion because of my “commitment”.
I wouldn’t put up with it OP. But if you’re desperate then I’d do it. But explain to your line manager your expectations for promotion.

No. No no no no no no no no no.

Women don't get promotions for working like this. They get them for being creative and problem solving and pushy and demanding. Like a man.

Step right back. Outline the problem and possible solutions to your boss. Which don't include you working like a dog. Stick to your hours and/or claim overtime.

Martyrs don't get promotions. They get shat on.

This

@ILikeItWhatIsIt the only reason I put up with it is due to 33 days holiday and an excellent pension (plus flexible working but I suspect that I could ask for that elsewhere)

But you don't have holidays or flexible working if you are cancelling plans and doing shedloads of unpaid work...

@disappearingfish well I do still work compressed hours in the weeks where I'm not absolutely up against it which ok are few and far between. And I do have holidays which I'm never going to cancel due to work

You said yourself "I'm cancelling plans to work, working on all my days off etc." So compressed hours and flexible working is meaningless. Unless it's literally a handful of days ahead of a holiday.

@disappearingfish there are the ocasional weeks when I can take my planned time off. But there is no way I'd ever cancel any leave as I only take it to actually go away

dont be a martyr. They won’t thank you, you’ll burn out and leave, they’ll appoint someone else to do the work without a second thought. I would think seriously about what boundaries you want to put into place. Is it claiming all the overtime, is it sticking to your contracted hours, is it never cancelling a plan in order to work?

Is there a promotion available, and will the boss properly and unequivocally support you in going for it? You can find that out in the appraisal and that can inform what you do next

So how many weeks do you work four days (that you are contracted to do) and how many do you work five?

@TeatimeBiscuits no nothing available as our trust got rid of almost all the posts at the level above. But did give someone a job in our team at the level above me (a job created just for them) due to being disruptive in their previous role. Not what I'm planning to do just another example of the shit show. I'd leave if I could but genuinely no jobs out there

So all this stress and overwork and you actually can’t get promoted? I would be sticking to the hours of my contract in that case.

@TeatimeBiscuits with it being the NHS they can't just give promotions. There is a senior version of my role but all are winding down to retirement so likely to be around for years yet. If I don't work overtime the work doesn't get done

I understand exactly what it’s like and I sympathise - I’m in a similar role myself. But you have it in your control just to do your hours. They will have to employ another person as well as you - but it’s not your problem to solve.

Why would they promote someone who does the work for free? They will keep you there as it is cost effective.

They are an employer. Their "job" is to get the work done cheaply. You are enabling that.

Would pull back on doing everything that is thrown at you. What will they do about it? Sack you? And have to find someone mug enough to do all that work at your current wage?

@InAMess2023 I am going to be slightly harsh - if you are unable to manage your current excessive workload and are not able to delegate, say no or work with your managers to reallocate it so you have an appropriate workload I would question if you are ready for the next step.

Employers will load and load work until you break or say enough. Sadly it is mainly women with a people pleasing, be kind & helpful attitude that end up in this situation.

Go into your appraisal with a clear plan of what you can and cannot do in full time hours ( 4 or 5 days is irrelevant if you are contracted to 37.5 hours). Trying to do 75 hours work in 37.5 hours is ridiculous and why you are working. 24/7. Take in your true time sheet to illustrate how many unpaid hours you are working.

A fact many higher paid people miss is NMW. NMW is £10.42 x 37.5 x 52.2 = £20397.15 If you are truly working 10 days in 4 (5) then a salary of £40,794.30 means you are being paid NMW anything less and is unlawful.

Work out your true hourly rate as you may be shocked to realise how little you are being paid for each hour you work.

@Propertylover that's not harsh at all it's very sensible advice. Thank you. I've previously done 3 temporary secondments at the higher band and got excellent feedback from them all.... and had less work to do than now!

I had a team catchup today and I did allude to having a lot of work to do but then so did everyone else 🤣 it doesn't help that I have two managers who aren't aware of what the other is asking of me.

Not sure how much (if any) sympathy I'll get but it's empathy and an action plan I need from my boss really. Although I did have to dip out of a call today to be sick (genuine illness and thankfully was at home) and she never even checked in on me after!

You are making your Boss’ life easy by not pushing back. Not checking you were ok is indicative of them needing a kick up the arse to reduce your work load.

I suspected you were capable of the next step please remember long hours/presenteeism don’t get you promoted. Burnout can stop you getting promoted so get a better work life balance so you are ready when the opportunity arises.

Not sure how much (if any) sympathy I'll get but it's empathy and an action plan I need from my boss really. Although I did have to dip out of a call today to be sick (genuine illness and thankfully was at home) and she never even checked in on me after!

With respect, you don’t need empathy or an action plan, you need clear boundaries and the ability to say “no”. Telling the team you’ve a lot on isn’t going to help because everyone will say they’re busy. Not taking on tasks, accepting some work just won’t get done (and it isn’t your problem), pushing things back to your boss, working your contracted hours (other than the occasional all hands on deck) is what you need to think about.

You’re running yourself ragged trying to gain a promotion that isn’t available, and your boss is letting you. If you weren’t so worn out you’d have capacity to take on development work (study, project work) that would equip you for a new role, whenever it comes up.