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Original poster

Do you give more hours than you're supposed to at work

98 replies

mumsthewordi · 16/01/2025 21:00

Genuine question

My part time hours are creeping up , never worked part time before

Thought I'd get a thanks and a contract extension for my hard work - neither are forthcoming

OP posts:
LittleRedRidingHoody · 16/01/2025 21:08

I always have, but I've always been looking to progress my career quickly. I probably shouldn't have at the beginning, but now I'm in a senior role and it's expected in busy periods.

Littletreefrog · 16/01/2025 21:17

Yes but only because I get them back to use at another time so suits me to work more when I can to get time off when I need it.

BatFeminist · 16/01/2025 21:18

It’s not possible to do my job without working extra hours so yes I do

Apfelkuchen · 16/01/2025 21:19

Yes, on working days, but never work on days off.

ScarletWitchM · 16/01/2025 21:20

I have in the past when I was young and thought it would help to further my career. Then I had children and after I missed my daughters first day at school to do extra work, I realised that my family had to come first.
now I only work my contracted hours

pistachioicecream · 16/01/2025 21:21

Yes regularly and always have. My contract says 9-5 but I don’t work to rule in terms of hours and just do what needs doing in order to deliver what’s needed for the business at any given time. That meant I was at an event until midnight last night then back at work this morning.

Am now in a senior position and so my hours aren’t monitored by anyone and it’s expected I’ll do what’s required without clock watching. But I think being prepared to do that is probably one of the reasons I’ve progressed - although that might be an old fashioned viewpoint nowadays.

I think it’s much harder to manage when you’re contracted part-time though.

LadyChilli · 16/01/2025 21:22

Only by exception and it has never harmed my career. I'll work extra if a piece of work needs to be delivered urgently and we're out of time, or if a colleague is stuck and needs help, but I don't do presenteeism. My workload can't be completed each day as a rule, so I leave what's left till the next day.

MrsPinkCock · 16/01/2025 21:24

Yes, but I’m a lawyer, so it would be weird if I didn’t!

Ironically though, I work less hours now working FT than I did in a previous job doing 4 days per week (supposedly)…

LeedsUniPlanning · 16/01/2025 21:24

I used to. But 3 years into my job I am generally more efficient so the extra hours are now very occasionally, not daily.

I did used to find myself trying to leave on time but then the tying up loose ends/the "ooo I'll just quickly finish that" bits would creep into my time and I was routinely leaving 30-45 minutes late. So I have had to train myself. I have an alarm on my watch (vibrating,not noisy) that goes off half an hour before I am supposed to leave. I never turn it off, just snooze it for 10 minutes to repeatedly remind me to actually leave. I am now generally out of the door within 15 minutes of my leaving time.

joysexreno · 16/01/2025 21:25

I work less than required some days and more on others. I always deliver what is required well and on time.

I view this as flexibility that keeps me in a job I am overqualified for while being able to support my daughter, who has an abusive father.

AyrnotAir · 16/01/2025 21:27

We get flexitime so if we do over our hours we get it back. It would depend what the role was whether I'd work extra hours or not. If its a professional role where everyone does then yes, if others aren't doing the same then I wouldnt.

Doubledded123 · 16/01/2025 21:31

No, my employer doesn't care so why would I work for free ?

rookiemere · 16/01/2025 21:32

My role is quite senior, but I work for a charity so it's not well paid. It advertises a short working day, so generally that's what I work. Sometimes my boss tries to reach me a few minutes after my official ending time and I have already logged off.

He knows though that if there was anything genuinely urgent I would - and have - worked most of the weekend and then 14-16 hr days to resolve it.

It takes a bit of chutzpah to not routinely work unpaid hours but luckily I'm old and reasonably good at what I do so it's not a question of anything not getting done.

Scottishgirl85 · 16/01/2025 21:33

I used to, before I realised life is too short. You are merely a number in your workplace, you are dispensible and nobody cares about you. So it is not worth your precious unpaid time. And I say that as someone who enjoys my job, senior position and very well paid!

mdinbc · 16/01/2025 21:36

Are you asking about working more paid hours, or working without being paid?

I am paid for all my work hours. If I am asked to work overtime, I will normally say yes, but it happens very rarely. You should never work without being paid unless you own the business.

etonmessedup · 16/01/2025 21:36

Not anymore. I used to work. Lot of extra hours, easily an extra week of work over 6 weeks.

Calmed down a lot after I moved job, and stopped completely after having DC. I don't have the energy or inclination at the moment, but expect it will come back when DC is older.

grafittiartist · 16/01/2025 21:38

Wouldn't be able to do it without. So yes. Lots!

warmbath · 16/01/2025 21:41

I work my contractual hours only and I am a lawyer!

Spectre8 · 16/01/2025 21:44

When I was younger and naive but haven't in years. It doesn't give me an edge on a promotion and if they need ro cut staff they will do it regardless. So I will work my contracted hours however if oen day I need to stay on longer I will but then I will take that time back either through extra breaks or coming in later or leaving early on another day.

After going through redundancy and then being under threat of transformations taking place for a few yrs that was my wake up call.

Positivenancy · 16/01/2025 21:46

Yes…most weeks I do an extra half hour or so…but I get paid OT for it so it’s not for nothing

comedycentral · 16/01/2025 21:47

Yeah but I am neurodiverse so I feel like I need to catch up for the times when I zone out or get hyperfocused on something I probably shouldn't put that much effort into.

UpandUnderIt · 16/01/2025 21:48

Yes but my place are pretty good at paying overtime once it goes over 30mins or so.

ConflictofInterest · 16/01/2025 21:49

No way not at all, very much work to rule. The workplace will never repay you for doing it and you can't get that time back. I actually think you get respected less at work if you work extra for free, you seem disorganised or a martyr. I always respect the senior staff more who make a point of only working to their hours, especially the ones who are part time with children.

Frenzi · 16/01/2025 22:07

I am contracted 22 hours per week but generally work 40. I cant do my job in my 22 hours but I refuse to be contracted for more as I like the flexibility.

So yes, I work loads more hours than I should. But every single one of them is included on my overtime sheet

Why would anyone work for nothing if it isnt their own business?

thrifty24 · 17/01/2025 02:00

Not necessarily @MrsPinkCock I'm a lawyer too and it isn't weird to not put in more hours than contracted. Good to have boundaries.