Employment contract questions

[CREATIVE!11]

I made a thread previously I had been offered what wasn't really that great of a job fit (programming role, e-learning course dev but i've taught myself web dev), but I ended up accepting the offer and got sent the emoployment contract and i've got some questions for some of you that work in tech.

First off i'm typically used to 37.5 hours a week 9-5. This role the contract is instead 9-6 (Not entirely happy with that i'll explain). I'm looking to go back to uni and do part time learning for a masters degree in computer science, ideally an extra hour per day to do studying can add up to quite a lot in the long term. I assumed the role was a typical 9-5 but it isn't, any of you in tech / IT how common is this type of shift pattern is?

The other part of the contract is this:
"The employee shall not be entitled to overtime for working in excess of 40hours a week.".

Can anyone shed light on what that means? it may just be a formality and I won't be asked to do overtime, but if I am then that means it would effectively be unpaid correct?

"The employee's normal working hours will be 40 per week. Your standard hours will be 9-6 Monday to Friday with an hour for lunch.". This part makes me just think it's a formality and i'm overthinking it.

As for the contracted hours, I'm thinking of shooting off an email to try renegotiate it down to 9-5 (With a salary adjustment downwards of course) any advice on the best way to try approach this? I'd obviously explain my position with wanting to go do a degree part time.

Cheers lads

 

[CREATIVE!11]

That does seem a bit off. 37.5 hours is more usual (in my experience anyway) and then specifically saying they won't pay for overtime. With that phrasing its just begging for people to be clock watchers and refuse to do any overtime (since they won't get paid for it).

"Stuff" happens which can mean working overtime is needed, but if its unpaid I'd expect that you get that time back elsewhere such as coming in late, leaving early, morning/afternoon off etc. Some give and take helps both sides, but if its all take then the employer is taking the wee. You'd likely need to be there a while to see how the land really lies.

Is this office based so that you also need to factor in commute time when considering how much free time you'll get for studies ?

Maybe suggest a tweak and ask for 9 - 5.30 and only take 30 minutes for lunch ?

It's remote, that is one big plus I do realise (good or bad depending on how you look at it from a learning perspective).

I was thinking I could try negotiate 9-5 but if that fails the 9-5:30 route would be a good compromise perhaps. I'm just trying to claw back any time I can as I know the degree will be quite challenging (perhaps too much to cope with, I don't know until i'm actually doing it).

The salary loss isn't actually a worry to me at all, I don't plan to be in this role for much longer than a year, mainly it's to get some form of "software developer" role (as that seems to be biggest blocker with any junior roles, having experience) then begin searching elsewhere for something that's a better fit.

 

[CREATIVE!11]

If you highlight this I think you'll get a much more sympathetic hearing. Did you mention this in your interview? If you have been accepted on a course then that's even better.

"As you will recall from my interview, I was applying to take a part-time MSc in Computer Science. I am pleased to advise you that I have now been accepted and will be starting on date X. Unfortunately this will put severe constraints on my time and I would like to propose contracted hours of 09:00 to 17:00 with a 30 minute lunch break to give adequate time for studying."

I think I did make a brief mention about it yeah, the guy who i'm communicating with himself has a computer science masters (although he doesn't code anymore does more business oriented stuff) so perhaps may be more sympathetic.

Is it a small company?

Yes, it's on the smaller side (which is why in my last thread I was a bit hesitant at taking the role). They were based out of London but now seem to employ remote I assume as it helps cut costs quite a bit.

 

[CREATIVE!11]

If you highlight this I think you'll get a much more sympathetic hearing. Did you mention this in your interview? If you have been accepted on a course then that's even better.

"As you will recall from my interview, I was applying to take a part-time MSc in Computer Science. I am pleased to advise you that I have now been accepted and will be starting on date X. Unfortunately this will put severe constraints on my time and I would like to propose contracted hours of 09:00 to 17:00 with a 30 minute lunch break to give adequate time for studying."

I've pretty much shot off an email today using this although i've pushed a little harder on a typical 9-5 (30 min break).

I'll just see what they say, won't hurt to ask. But if the rest of the team do 9-6 I doubt they will be willing to budge so i'll have to then give it careful consideration on what to do next (I was actually thinking of turning down the role anyway before this as it's just not a good fit).

 

[CREATIVE!11]

My last job was 09:00-18:00. It wasn't rigidly enforced, there was a bit of give and take in both directions.
New job is 09:00-17:00 but I doubt I'll work 5hrs less per week.

The vast majority of full time jobs I've seen are between 35-40hrs a week. The biggest issue I would say is this not always being advertised up front, 40hrs is 14% more hours than 35hrs so it's important to weigh this up against the package on offer.

I think as it's a first dev role and working with tech i'm unfamiliar with i've been MUCH more hesitant about it all + the uni thing upcoming.

Perhaps it may not be rigidly enforced and they expect 5-6 you'll be slow anyway. But really probably varies heavily from place to place.