While having a discussion with my coworkers...?

Question

we started talking about overtime. I said that I would enjoy my job more if I was not required to work as much overtime (being that I am not getting paid as I am exempt). Their opinion was that as a “Professional” I am expected to work overtime. How do you feel about this? Do you agree with my coworkers? Can you label anyone as a “Professional” and expect them to work overtime regardless of their salary?

Answer 1

No. The laws have set 8 hour days for a reason. Why should sacrificing your family and social life be a requirement to be a professional?

Answer 2

An exempt employee is a professional or manager. We work when needed but have more flexibility in hours. I am a professional and actually don't mind the no paid overtime because I seldom need to work late and when I do I don't need pre approval. A professional gets the job done no matter what it takes but since we negotiate our salaries based on what we contribute to the company hard work means better pay, or you leave.
Salary doesn't make a difference you can pay anyone by the month and still have to pay overtime.
Salaried or hourly people who aren't exempt are protected from abuse by overtime laws. If you paid say a lower level office worker a monthly salary they might not be making more than minimum wage and could be replaced with a temp, telling them work long hours for the same pay would be wrong. They aren't in a position to defend themselves like a professional person threatening to quit if not properly paid.
A professional is someone with a degree in what they do and professional certification of some type like Doctor, Architect or Accountant.

Answer 3

It depends. I'm in a salaried position, but my contract specifically lays out the expectations for how many hours a day should be worked, how many days per year, etc. However, it is expected that I will put in as many hours as needed to get my job done, which I do. It is up to me whether I take work home, come in early, or stay late. That said, if I am "assigned" to put in extra hours at a specific time, such as having to attend some kind of event at a particular time, the contract speaks to that--demanding that my employer either gives me time off another day or allows me to put in to get paid an hourly rate for those hours, etc.

While being salaried has many benefits, it can feel like one is "working for free" since you are not paid more for putting in more hours. However, one's salary should be commensurate with that. One should not accept a salary of $25,000, for instance, if the job requires 80 hours a week!

Answer 4

What it boils down to is, is the job paying enough for what is expected. Some jobs have overtime and pay well, some jobs don't pay enough for what they put employees through.

And there's also subjective things, like how well you get along with coworkers, how often raises come, how easy it is to advance, et cetera. Bottom line, if you think you'd be happier elsewhere all things considered, start looking.

Answer 5

Not all professionals work overtime. I think it's a little presumptuous for your work to expect you to work overtime. It's harder on you, you should get some more time off and sick days then.

Answer 6

Thats what happens in professional jobs, you do not get paid for your overtime. Sometimes it is expected, my job it is especially durng our busy season. We are having a conference held by our office and we are expected to work from 7:30am-9:30pm every night that week, it sucks but its part of life.

Answer 7

I dont agree with that crap. But unfortuantly that is what society expects out workers now. If you want to suceed you have to work 12 15 hour work days instead of the typical 8.

Answer 8

that is the thing with salaried employees, you have to work o.t. with no more pay it is only fair.