Okay, so I work as a media researcher for a business publications company. My fourth month probationary review is next week. The other day the boss actually said there was an "expectation" we work more than the contracted hours if required. And this is actually on the contract, although carefully worded to exploit legal loopholes. Now, I was aware this was deeply dodgy and indeed borderline illegal (have they heard of the European Working Time Directive?) but I needed the job and wasn't exactly in a position to negotiate.
We've got targets y'see, so if we don't meet them in the allotted time we stay on to meet them. Normally we can get everything done in 9-5. However, if we have training or a meeting then we would be "expected" to stay on to make up for the time missed. Now, this is bullshit. Meetings and training constitute "work" so fuck that.
When I worked at a local paper there were deadlines to be met, so would have to stay behind on occasion. However, we'd get the time in lieu. That doesn't happen here.
"Well, that's business and if you don't like it maybe it's not for you" he says. "The others stay behind", he added as a bit of emotional blackmail. Well, that's their choice, but the fact they can end up doing around 2-4 hours for free a week suggests they're being given too much work and the company is too cheap to employ another person to share the load.
I didn't actually say "that's borderline illegal" but I did go hmmm and look disapprovingly at him.
I don't have any interest in "getting ahead" in the company - but I'd like to keep my job for a few more months until something better comes along.
I suppose the best plan of action is to get my contract extended but refuse to work beyond my contracted hours should that ever be the case. After all, they can hardly sack me for refusing to let them break the law. It might make things unpleasant for me, but then I do have the law on my side...
I'm going to speak to the NUJ asap and also my uncle who is a union rep (for teachers, but a good person to talk to nonetheless), but in the meantime any thoughts or advice would be welcome.
― Stew (stew s), Saturday, 10 February 2007 19:53 (eighteen years ago)
"Borderline" illegal counts for nought in the world of the law; see also 'a little bit pregnant'. It is, or it is not, even if all you're sure of it being is a taking of the almighty piss.
Have you signed to waive your right to protection by Euro Time Directive? Most employees do now - I know of only one person who has refused and not had issues about it from the employer.
Also remember that until this review (your first three months) they can fling your arse out on the road for anything; you have no rights as such. After that it's magic time and the NUJ can help.
It is also perfectly possible to claw the time back in crafty ways. Journalists are remarkably adept at this ;-).
― suzy (suzy), Sunday, 11 February 2007 00:40 (eighteen years ago)