It states that I "May be required to work additional hours when required and my salary includes an element for this" therefore it seems they will have a ticket to unlimited overtime from me with no pay. Should I sign or anyone know a tactful way around this?
2007-10-29 11:22:37 · 19 answers · asked by Great Eskape 5 in Business & Finance ➔ Careers & Employment ➔ Administrative and Office Support
I would negotiate with your boss that you are willing to do some extra hours when required but that there should be a limit on what is expected- state your limit.
State your argument that this contract is too vague and that you cannot sign it as it is.
If youbelong to an union than get their help- too.
Hope you get it sorted out.
2007-10-29 11:31:38 · answer #1 · answered by Mumofthree 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you are uncertain of the contract then tactfully ask your boss for some time to think this over. Maybe you can ask some legal advise from a knowledgeable friend or you may even consult Human Resources.
Most of the contracts really stipulate "rendering additional hours when required" - what's important is the compensation/benefits aspect. Make sure that you will be properly compensated for the additional hours and workload. Usually graveyard shifts entitles you to an overtime pay and another allowance equivalent for your meal/transpo expense.
Overtime has its advantage on you because it will mean additional pay. But you can also tactfully ask your boss - realistically how often are you required to render overtime.
Hope this will help.
2007-10-30 05:33:10 · answer #2 · answered by addicted too 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ask him how much that element is. You should really have your basic per hour wage + the overtime element. Then ask how many hours overtime in a typical month. Then multiply that by the element and if it doesnt equal the extra hours times your wage, youre being ripped off. The additional hours should be paid at at least your normal wage.
Plus how long have you been there? Is this contract within your first thirteen weeks, or is it a change of your terms and conditions? If its a change then you should have a new much higher hourly rate of pay.
2007-10-29 18:30:08 · answer #3 · answered by jeanimus 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Not sure which country you are in, but in the EU we have the European Working Time Directive which limits the hours you can work to 48 per week UNLESS you sign a document agreeing that you will opt out of this protection.
Much depends on how much you want this job and how badly they want you. There's no harm in asking them to modify that clause (perhaps to stipulate a maximum number of hours in any one month). An alternative is to ask them to take out the 'overtime' element built in to the contract and say you'd prefer to have a basis salary with any overtime costed and paid separately on the basis you feel this is a transparent arrangement which is fairer to both sides.
If you have a union, they might be able to help.
2007-10-29 18:30:58 · answer #4 · answered by ! 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If you work additional hours you are entitled to extra pay. I would ask him to be more specific and outline when he expe cts this to happen. You don't want to find you've booked a holiday and then him or her turn around and tell you you've got to work. Also ask him to specify- how many hours you have to work over before extra pay kicks in. AND that if YOU need to take time off work that your pay won't be affected. This contract seems very one way.
Some employers take advantage of employees and you need clauses adding to protect yourself. It's not a one way street.
This contract seems way to vague he/she has got to be more specific.
Get a union involved. Contact ACAS or any other union which deals with the type of industry you are working in.
Hope this helps and you could always start looking for another position that is more suited to your lifestyle. After all we could all work for peanuts. ;) x
2007-10-29 18:40:07 · answer #5 · answered by Soup Dragon 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it depends but assuming that you are working in the US, there was a over haul of overtime laws a couple of years ago which dealt with excempt and non exempt employees. What this means is are you exempt from over time? Google the term and look at the laws. These are Federal Laws and unless you fall into a specific job group, you should always be getting overtime pay.
2007-10-29 18:32:32 · answer #6 · answered by daboogah 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are paid on salary, you are not entitled to overtime compensation. However, if you work for an hourly rate according to US labor laws you must be paid for the hours you work. If you are concerned about this, you need to address it before you sign the contract. Either request to be put on hourly wage, or sign the contract and get screwed.
2007-10-29 18:31:20 · answer #7 · answered by Diane B 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'd want it in writing on how much of my salary is included
as an element and then figure out, if I can't get a clear answer
I would sign and start looking for a new job because you are
getting screwed since it isn't clear cut specifics
2007-10-30 16:42:50 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do you feel your salary includes an element for this? Compare with some similar jobs and see what they offer for a 37 hour week.
A lot of jobs, especially salaried and managerial do expect you to work over for no extra money. If you don`t think they pay you enough for this, then i think i would look elsewhere.
2007-10-29 18:32:27 · answer #9 · answered by Sir Bobby`s Hairdresser 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you already have a wage agreement in place and this is an addendum to it then your boss is trying to renegotiate without offering you any money. I personally wouldn't sign that without some additional money- if he waned to put me on salary without paying me any more I'd never sign it. I've put up with a lot of crap from employers but damned if I'll ever sit still for somebody dicking with my money.
2007-10-30 01:52:43 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋