DILEMA

Lazydonkey · Post by **Lazydonkey** » Thu Nov 30, 2006 11:00 am

Ah if only i got paid for overtime

Rich H · Post by **Rich H** » Thu Nov 30, 2006 11:08 am

I've worked some stupid hours too, unfortunatly we used to get paid for 24/7 so were pretty screwed. I always tried to finish the shift before it gets silly as that when people start getting ratty and fcuking up alot. Problem was I was the boss so couldn't exactly slope off early (well not every night anyway!)

Worst was Deci shift 24 on 24 off or 24 on 24 pissed which is great for a week but not for a month....

Also did 3 weeks of 16-18 hour days while on call for the defence of the nation (God help us all!) while supervising the Quick Reaction Alert aircraft. Not good at all.

Surely the work you produce after 70 hour is going to be utterly pish? I mean look at the tripe that ends up on here and we don't all work that hard...

tut · Post by **tut** » Thu Nov 30, 2006 11:38 am

I just checked my pilots log books.

Over the 30 years that I was flying, I averaged 21 hours per month, or 4 hours a week.

That was flying time, so it did actually work out more than that in hours on the job.

tut

Post by **simon** » Thu Nov 30, 2006 1:51 pm

robin wrote:BTW, you have a 3rd option - start working the hours you are contracted for and make it clear that's what you plan to do. I don't know much about employment law but I would hazard a guess that it would be illegal to either dismiss or discriminate based on reluctance to work 2x the number of contracted hours for no pay. It would be a good wake up call for their outdated working practices; they no doubt mistake working 70 hours a week for "good work ethic"

I believe the working time regulations say that you cannot be made to work more than 48 hours a week unless you sign a document saying you're happy to do that. I've been given that document before but I didn't sign it.

GregR · Post by **GregR** » Thu Nov 30, 2006 2:05 pm

'When pressure of work dictates' - as you correctly state Si - you can legally work more than the EU time directive provides. Alix is a Doctor and has the same; seems to be standard practice.

In Rob's defence - its all very well being armchair rebels about the number of hours you're expected to work. If you're the only one in the office that works 9-5 when those around you work 6-8, you wouldn't really be surprised if you remained static whilst others progress. If you work what your obliged to, fair enough... the Firm aren't obliged to promote you! I'm not justifying it, but it may not be as easy to adopt that approach

RDH · Post by **RDH** » Thu Nov 30, 2006 2:11 pm

GregR wrote:'When pressure of work dictates' - as you correctly state Si - you can legally work more than the EU time directive provides. Alix is a Doctor and has the same; seems to be standard practice.

In Rob's defence - its all very well being armchair rebels about the number of hours you're expected to work. If you're the only one in the office that works 9-5 when those around you work 6-8, you wouldn't really be surprised if you remained static whilst others progress. If you work what your obliged to, fair enough... the Firm aren't obliged to promote you! I'm not justifying it, but it may not be as easy to adopt that approach

Never a truer word spoken - that's why there's always a number of us in the office after 9 at night!

I'd love to leave at 5.30 every night - but it's just not done, ie as Greg says - you'd remain at the bottom of the ladder - lawyers, accountant, doctors - any a few others i'm sure - all are, rightly or wrongly, expected to put the hours in!

Lazydonkey · Post by **Lazydonkey** » Thu Nov 30, 2006 2:53 pm

'tis true.

I've been given a dept to turn around in a year. I could go home at 5 every night but in order to blow people away with the rate of change i have to stay and suck a lot of corporate c*ck.

So far it's paying off but im not planning to work at this level for ever.

mac · Post by **mac** » Thu Nov 30, 2006 2:56 pm

I've managed to move jobs (kind of promotion) but previously I would work horrendous hours - dayshift until 3 or 4 in the afternoon then back out again at 10pm until 6am, couple of hours of kip and then back in to the office again.

I've opted out of the EU working hours regs as it would have seriously impacted on my overtime

Personally it OK working the hours when your younger provided the carrot is tasty enough.

Mac

Post by **campbell** » Thu Nov 30, 2006 3:53 pm

RDH wrote:Been offered a new job

Background - work as a CA for one of the "Big 4" Accountancy firms - do ridiculous hours at times - basic is 37.5hrs - been known to do 70+ - no overtime payments or time off in leiu.

Offer from Mid tier firm - probably number 5 or 6 in the terms of size. - they're offering £2k less - but they pay overtime - so I'd have to work 2 hours overtime a week to earn back the £2k. I've been reliably told by a few guys I know that the hours are nearer the 9-5 than the 8-8 I generally work!

Dilema is do i stay where I am - I've only been in my current job for about 15months! Or do I take the chance and get some semblance of a life back?

Answers on a postcard!

Everyone will have a different view on "work-life balance"...a lot depends upon your general stage of life and naturally what your own priorities and goals are. Only you can say what they are, and you have to be honest with yourself.

Try doing that exercise first. What does your prioritised, goal-based life actually look/feel like if you transport yourself forwards into it?

Then do this one...

Sit in one of two chairs and say OUT LOUD each option of your dilemma, switching chairs each time, but crucially making each statement present tense - ie LIVING IT eg

"I'm in a big 4 firm doing up to double my regular hours with no overtime or time off"

"I work for a mid-tier firm with slightly lower basic salary, paid overtime and no expectation to work extra hours for free"

See what your feeling is when you are done, then make your decision.

I know what I would do...I'll tell you after you post next!...but I am not you

Campbell

RDH · Post by **RDH** » Thu Nov 30, 2006 4:01 pm

Just spoken to one of the partners - he thinks I'm making a mistake if i go - but after thinking about it -I'd rather be happier, working less (maybe earning a wee bit less)

So i think I can happily jump ship and start a new job in February!

It may not be the most Career orientated move - but I'd rather not hate going to work!

Cheers for all the input!

Post by **campbell** » Thu Nov 30, 2006 4:14 pm

Looks like you have your answer!

FWIW, that is what I would have done...but that is because home life matters more to me now than ever before. 4-5 years ago things were different and I DID work lots of overtime for no pay, albeit it wasn't quite the norm amongst some colleagues, so it helped me get on a bit and I got more out of it than any amount of money or time off could equate to

Your Partner is actually saying "we are making a mistake in treating our staff this way" but it didn't come across that way

Good luck with the move. Remember - YOU make it what it is, no-one else. Hope you get what you want out of the newfound free time in the near future

Campbell

RDH · Post by **RDH** » Thu Nov 30, 2006 4:20 pm

campbell wrote:Looks like you have your answer!

FWIW, that is what I would have done...but that is because home life matters more to me now than ever before. 4-5 years ago things were different and I DID work lots of overtime for no pay, albeit it wasn't quite the norm amongst some colleagues, so it helped me get on a bit and I got more out of it than any amount of money or time off could equate to

Your Partner is actually saying "we are making a mistake in treating our staff this way" but it didn't come across that way

Good luck with the move. Remember - YOU make it what it is, no-one else. Hope you get what you want out of the newfound free time in the near future

Campbell

Thought so!

Blaque · Post by **Blaque** » Thu Nov 30, 2006 4:20 pm

Rob,

Why chase the big office or the job title if you're not happy while you do it. As for money, money is only good for what you can do with it. If you have no free time to enjoy the things you can buy with the big salery, whats the point.

As I say "You're only here once" so do what makes you happy.

boyner · Post by **boyner** » Thu Nov 30, 2006 4:23 pm

My Girlfriend worked as a CA for one of the big 4 and she was working crazy hours as well... She was in a similar situation as yourself and she decided to leave. She went to work in the Oil and Gas industry for BP for a couple of years and it was far more pay and less hours.. She has now moved onto work for Shell but ain so keen on that but the work / life balance is much better and she has far better T&C's now..

Go for it and move, you will be much happier!!!

Cheers

Boyner

dezzy · Post by **dezzy** » Thu Nov 30, 2006 7:10 pm

I personally think you've made the right decision Rob.

IMHO, work shouldn't be the main thing in your life. At the end of the day, it's simply a means to fund the things you really enjoy in your life: hobbies, social life, Lotus Elises!

It's always a bonus if you can get a job you enjoy and I'd rather earn a bit less and enjoy the job than earn more and hate what I'm doing. I'm quite lucky in that I really enjoy my job and I'm also happy with the pay, etc. However, no matter how much I do enjoy my job, it's still just a means to fund the fun things in life like my Elise! Yes, I do some long hours when they're really needed, but if you're being forced into regular 70hour weeks, then it's really not worth it.

Good luck with the new job!

Scottish Elises

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