Opting out of the 48 hour work week limit

[Glaucus]

I sign out roughly twice a year

Why do you opt out twice a year, once you opt out thats it, un less you move company or opt back in.

Also if you opt out, doesn't mean they can make you work more hours. Its also an average, so you can work more than 48hrs in one week and not opt out.

I always opt out, as if you want to work more it allows you, if you don't, the company still cant force you.

 

[Narj]

Thread hijack in progress...

I opted out of the WTD in the belief I could choose to work longer if I wanted. I've now been told that was incorrect and with a big network upgrade starting soon I'll be expected to work 250 hours overtime in November and December without pay or time in lieu.

Think I know the answer but I'm screwed aren't I?

250 hours unpaid overtime? That's over 7 weeks work for free!!! I'd be looking to get a job elsewhere if my employer wanted to take the **** that much! I mean, the odd day here or there wouldn't be so bad but 7 WEEKS!!!

Opt back in, get a job with a company that values you and your time. I do the odd few hours unpaid and accept it as it's swings and roundabouts but for the most part, I get fair remuneration for OT.

 

[MeEsH BaKkA]

Thread hijack in progress...

I opted out of the WTD in the belief I could choose to work longer if I wanted. I've now been told that was incorrect and with a big network upgrade starting soon I'll be expected to work 250 hours overtime in November and December without pay or time in lieu.

Think I know the answer but I'm screwed aren't I?

I think your company is trying to say something without words.


I opted out and work a 50 hour week as a minimum but I'm paid hourly so all good, have done 80 hour weeks before and would happily work longer because I get paid for it.

I would never work unpaid ever whilst being employed, because I see it as someone earning money out of my spare time.

 

[nick.lidgett]

Every company i've worked for have hated me. I make sure of it.

I refuse to do any extra hours. I dont care if it's double pay, triple pay or what ever they want to offer. I've no interest.


But yea talk to them. They may want you to do some extra hours.

and this sort of attitude is why companies over look certain employees when it comes to promotions or training opportunities etc etc.
im not saying this applies to you, but as an employer I always like my staff to give a little bit extra when needed, why should I help somebody better themselves if they wont help out when needed? I have no problem paying people their basic wage if that's all they want but if they expect any sort of favours they can forget it, ill play by the book and that is that.
now if they can help out and do the odd hour here or the extra shift there ill make sure they get rewarded for their efforts and id be more inclined to look at these people first when it comes to investing in their training.
in these tough times people need to wise up, pull together and help each other out, for a lot of employers and employees the wolf is not far from the door, its that whole you scratch my back and ill scratch yours.

 

[Mucky_Pup]

I opted out because I like the option of being able to do overtime, 55 hours extra this month

 

[Westyfield2]

Both my last two employers asked me to sign the 48hr opt-out, and I dutifully did so. At neither employer did I then end up doing anything more than the occasional hour of overtime above the standard 37.5hrs/week in my contract. I assume the signing of the waiver was just a standard HR process.

 

[pitchfork]

HAHAHAHA.

I'm not sure what's more amusing, that you have such a poor work ethic or that you work in such a rubbish job that you don't enjoy it enough to have a good work ethic

If a good work ethic does nothing for you, why should you have one?

Really, unpaid overtime benefits the shareholders, and that is it. All I know is the shareholders have a lot more money than I do, why should I bother to pad their pocket? What do they do for me except screw me over to line their pockets?
Not to mention, if people stopped working unpaid overtime, unemployment would drop, firms would be forced to hire more workers.

If a company can't afford to pay for all their man hours, their business plan is kaput and they should fix it or just roll over and die because it isn't sustainable, theres no shortage of people to step in and build a better firm in this economic climate, there's a race for market space.

 

[memyselfandi]

I've not opt-ed out of this, we had a thing sent round at work when it all came in asking us to but I didn't.

My contracted working hours are 37hrs/week (i normally work 40-42hrs/week). Even when not opted out I can work up to an average of 48hrs/week when calculated over 17 weeks (according to the gov.uk site) which should be sufficient for any eventuality which reasonably could occur so I don't see any benefit to opting out.

 

[Vanilla]

An update.

I opted to sign the waiver. I'm a full time salaried employee but my work often involves way beyond the 48 hour week....but i'm paid very well for it overall.

Additionally I would have had to do timesheets so they are aware of my hours. If I were truthful with these then they would involve management around my working hours being excessive.....which would be a case of 'join the club'.

 

[Narj]

Any update from Pigeon_Killer? Have you told them do do one?