6- Day Mandatory Overtime?

Question

I work at a very large company, and they have had all of us on a 6-day, 48-hour a week mandatory overtime schedule. We are all tired, and have relatively no personal lives anymore. There are people who have children, elderly people, and people who go to college working at our company. Does this seem fair to take our private lives away, just to save money on new hires? We do belong to a union. Is there any way out of this? Ever? Help!

To be fair, what we do is not anything like the military does. There is no personal reward in it (like defending your country and being a hero.) I never said I didn't like my job (in fact, I work 7 days a week and 12-hour days to help out co-workers who have health issues), so calling me lazy isn't really helping the situation. I'm wondering about this on behalf of all of the employees.

Answer 1

If you're covered under a Union contract, there is probably at least some language in your contract about overtime. If this is happening all over the company, it sounds like they're doing some shortstaffing and making up for it by forcing people to work OT. Your union is the first place to turn for help. It will take a concerted effort and you'll need to help by getting others to voice their concerns about the scheduling as well. That way, the situation will be addressed in a class action.
One area of the contract that may be a "roundabout" source for a solution is the area that deals with staffing. There may be language that can help support an argument for understaffing or shortstaffing that leads to mandatory overtime. This is an especially good argument if there have been positions left vacant rather than being filled when someone retires or leaves (because they're so tired from mandatory overtime!).
The other thing the union can do is place information requests and look at the total costs of overtime vs. filling those positions left vacant or adding positions that are obviously needed if the whole place is working mandatory OT. If a case can be made that it's actually costing more money to pay all that OT than it would to hire some extra employees (mave even some part time positons), then there's probably a good chance to fix the situation.

Answer 2

In many industries 50-60-70 hour weeks are normal. Especially for owners of small businesses and professionals. I would recommend you find a different job, a job for people who only want to work 40 hours and then go home. Maybe try a governement welfare job where you can work the bare minimum, have very little accountability and get paid regardless of your productivity. If you are a lazy person, the government welfare jobs might be for you. Good luck!

Answer 3

If you dont like your schedule....quit....start looking for another job.. Managment has responsiblities just like the workers do. Its not personal its BUSINESS, most companies dont care about your personal lives and have no need to as long as the bottom line is met. Go ahead and meet with your rep, it may help your cause it may not. Not all jobs are fun or rewarding its ment as a way to maintain the way of life you are used to.

Answer 4

Consider yourself lucky that you get paid for your extra work. Many military personnel like myself work 60+ hours a week and don't see any extra compensation for it. I'm getting ready to be sent to Iraq where i will work 12 hours a day for 120 days without a day off. Don't get me wrong I love my job and enjoy making a difference in the world, but it bothers me to see people complaining when they've got it pretty good. If you really hate it that much quit. Mcdonald's is always hiring.

Answer 5

Talk to your Union Rep and maybe they can negotiate with the company. I can't believe they make you work a 48 hour week! That just sounds absurd to me!

Answer 6

Unless the union contract has limits on mandatory overtime, then they can do this as long as they want to.

Answer 7

ask the union rep