Working overtime

[Tenshi28]

So it's probably been talked about in many threads before but I was wondering how much overtime work (unpaid, that is) you usually have to put at your jobs and how you feel about it (I probably figure you're not particularly happy with it but, does it really bother you? it's no big deal? that's sort of my point).

Working overtime is very common in this job I just started, and to be frank, it's one of the things that is stressing the most, since I haven't had to work overtime much in my previous jobs, and it bothers me quite a lot everytime I have to stay here past my usual time of going home

[littledancerus]

I'm paid salary. We don't get overtime pay, so we all avoid it at all costs. 5:00 rolls around we are out the door.

[yankeeyosh]

Tenshi, I was thinking the same exact thing right before I came on. Great minds think alike :)

For now, I keep it under 10 hours/week...I think the idea of working for free is ridiculous...especially at a job you have no interest in whatsoever. At a previous job, I usually worked 55-60 hours...although it was non-exempt, so I got paid extra. And grad school, I worked 70-80 hours because...well...it's grad school.

However, in this generation, working overtime has become more "cool", because of the fact that a lot of us just want to "prove ourselves", and take on more work than we can handle in a 40 hour workweek. It's mostly because of how we were raised as robots...not people, pressures by society, and the quest to climb the corporate ladder as quickly as possible. So hence, the 60-80 hour workweek has ballooned recently in "popularity". It's insane, it's probably going to result in us having less life expectancy than the previous generation, but it's the "in" thing among young people these days...so I probably have to keep up with the Joneses myself at some point.

But a lot of us who work the strict 40 hours a week take on second jobs, and therefore, are getting paid for the extra work. However, where I currently work, there is a rule that says you can't work a second job.

[Tenshi28]

Tenshi, I was thinking the same exact thing right before I came on. Great minds think alike :)

So true!!!! ;):



I keep it under 10 hours/week...I think the idea of working for free is ridiculous...especially at a job you have no interest in whatsoever.



I completely agree with that, and it's precisely the reason it bothers me so much when I have to stay here instead of being able to go home.

Problem is, at least in my case, it's a small office with strict weekly deadlines, so things must be finished, whether it's time to go or not, so it's not like you can go to the boss (and owner of the company for that matter) saying that you don't feel like working for free because it's ridiculous (which it is). Or I guess you can actually go and tell him, but I am guessing I'd be having to look for a new job next week then.

[beeblebrox]

I'm salaried and non exempt, so in theory, I could get paid overtime, but they watch it closely so it hasn't happened yet. We're out the door at 4:50p.m. usually.

[biodork]

I hate the thought of overtime, but there is a good chance at the new job I just got that I will have to deal with it. At least for 3 months I'll be working for the temp agency I got the job through and that's hourly, so I should get paid extra.

I have never had to put in overtime at my current job.

[beeblebrox]

I hate the thought of overtime, but there is a good chance at the new job I just got that I will have to deal with it. At least for 3 months I'll be working for the temp agency I got the job through and that's hourly, so I should get paid extra.

I have never had to put in overtime at my current job.

the only thing with temping is that the company that you're working for might not pay for overtime, so ask before. I temped and worked overtime, only after they told me that they wouldn't pay it. The temping agency did pay it and not too long after I was dismissed from the job.

[LakeJay]

Overtime really isn't a term used here at least in my area...It's more about "going above and beyond". In my company, those who are eligible for bonuses do not get overtime pay. That is only limited to those who are not eligible for bonuses. Here it's all about getting your work done regardless of how much time is necessary. That's why you see many of us with work laptops.

Working for "free" does seem ridiculous but sometimes pride, determination, fear or some other type of motivation takes over. It winds up not being so much about time and more about getting your work done and being held accountable.

Does anyone know of any statistics on the topic of overtime and its correlation to the type of work involved? I wonder if there is a difference between client-based and non client-based companies as I've only been exposed to client-based from having worked for an outsourcing firm.

[biodork]

the only thing with temping is that the company that you're working for might not pay for overtime, so ask before. I temped and worked overtime, only after they told me that they wouldn't pay it. The temping agency did pay it and not too long after I was dismissed from the job.
I did a little research and the temp company I'm working for is in MD and I believe MD law says they have to pay me overtime, they aren't exempt from it.

[wordsmith]

All the time. I get paid for the hours I work in addition to my regular hours, just not overtime rate. It's part of the job, goes with the territory. You have to meet deadlines and do necessary coverage regardless of how much time that takes.

[Tenshi28]

All the time. I get paid for the hours I work in addition to my regular hours, just not overtime rate. It's part of the job, goes with the territory. You have to meet deadlines and do necessary coverage regardless of how much time that takes.

And as much as you love your job, don't you ever feel like "I wish I could go home"?

[wordsmith]

Not really, but that's because of the nature of the job...it's different than being chained to a bunch of spreadsheets or something. I work a lot, but for work, I'm always running around doing interesting things, so it doesn't really get old, and it's not that taxing, just time-consuming. The only time it sucks is when it takes up a weekend that I wanted to travel, or something, because you get tied to the area, even if it's just a photo at 2 p.m. on a Saturday or something. But it's that kind of inconvenience that's the main annoyance...not really a "gee, I wish I could go home" thing.

Plus, I can pretty much come and go as I choose...so it's my choice how much/little I work. If I want to work less, it's up to me to arrange ways to get things done in the fewest hours possible. Sometimes that's more doable than others.

Another thing that helps for me is that I have a nonexistent commute. I live within view of my office, so if I work late, no biggie, I'm home in under two minutes. If I have to go in early, not a big issue, same deal. It's really easy to run over to work when I need to.

[SmilesSoSweet]

I'm on salary and still get paid time and a half if I need to work overtime. I haven't work much OT in awhile, though there are times when I do work OT for many days straight.

[Winter Storm]

I've never once had to work overtime. We aren't paid for it and its not encouraged by management.

The few times where I've stayed later or brought work home with me, managers scoffed at the thought.

[wordsmith]

Yeah, that's diff. than here. Newspaper publishing is a "you do what you have to to get the paper to press" kind of job. Sometimes I'm a little bit envious of jobs that are "It will get done when it gets done, if I don't finish it now, I'll finish it later," because we're always racing the clock, and if you don't get it done, it WON'T get done later, you'll miss the press run and there will be no point.

[Trillian42]

Funny this thread should be started today. I am salary with no paid overtime, although my company gets money for me if I work overtime, because I'm on a team contracted to another company. Also I should mention we are about the only team bringing in money for our compnay right now. I will, and have, work overtime if there is a deadline we need to meet, otherwise I put in my 40 hours and that's it. I also try to make up any hours for personal time - sick time, doctor's appointments, etc.

That being said, I'm taking three paid vacation days next week. My supervisor just called and asked if I was going to work extra on the two days I'm in to make up for the time I'm missing, because they are trying to budget for next month. I let him know that I would probably not because I'm taking them as vacation days. I swear, if you aren't a workaholic, you get looked down on!

[Kitty]

Zero. I rarely put in overtime, but when I do it is paid.

[CuranderaC]

I work overtime all the time because they just keep giving me so much work to do. The managers who tell me that they want to help me because I have so much on my plate will turn around an hour later and give me another big responsibility. Then they get on me about working over time. "Go home" they tell me almost everyday. Its a catch 22 because if I don't finish what needs to be finished they'll be mad too. Sometimes I just punch out and keep working just so that they'll leave me alone.

[astronaut83]

I don't mind working overtime (paid). I get more for my "moving out" fund (if it ever gets used) and I get more time out of the house.

[cocopuffy]

I try to avoid overtime, but if you are caught at your desk when the dinner menu gets passed to you its too late to dip out. You are committed to at least 10pm.

[yankeeyosh]

I try to avoid overtime, but if you are caught at your desk when the dinner menu gets passed to you its too late to dip out. You are committed to at least 10pm.

Dinner menu? That would be nice to have...I assume it's paid for by the company?

[wordsmith]

Hah, that would be sweet! We're on our own for dinner.

[cocopuffy]

Dinner menu? That would be nice to have...I assume it's paid for by the company?

If we are on a deadline and we are 'required' to work then they have to feed us with the company credit card or reimburse us for our meal. The catch is that if the company pays for your food you have to work at least 3 hours overtime that day.

My boss is getting sneaky-last week he passed the menu around at 5:30pm (before the normal work day was even over). yeah...I was trapped.

[Tenshi28]

My boss is getting sneaky-last week he passed the menu around at 5:30pm (before the normal work day was even over). yeah...I was trapped.

Don't know why, but when I read that I thought it had quite a Dilbert-ish ring to it! :huge:

[yankeeyosh]

My boss is getting sneaky-last week he passed the menu around at 5:30pm (before the normal work day was even over). yeah...I was trapped.

But can't you make an excuse that you have other prior engagements?

[cocopuffy]

But can't you make an excuse that you have other prior engagements?

If you have something to do you better do it and come back to work! Trust me...your teammates won't be happy that they are working late to pull up your slack.

We currently have one girl who after taking a week long vacation to the beach, came back on Monday and said that she was 'forbidden' by her doctor to work overtime for a month. She is claiming carpel tunnels and once she threw around 'worker's comp' to HR no one will argue with anything she says. Meanwhile...everyone elses wrist is hurting from 15 straight hours of CAD work...

[LadyCA]

At first I don't mind working overtime, especially when I have projects I'm excited about that are a high priority and will make a real impact (I'm in public service).

However, at my new employer (a local government) I've discovered that even when you work extensive overtime (like, an entire weekend or on a big project for 100+ hours in one week), you're still expected to be at work 8-5+ the following week. Sometimes, the supervisors will give us a break and let us come in at 9am. That's it. When I've asked for flex time, I'm referred to my vacation time. That is NOT cool.

At the end of an overtime streak, I come home to piling up laundry, chores and bills, a neglected dog, and a partner ready for TLC. I then spend my entire weekend taking care of personal business and get no rest...

[yankeeyosh]

However, at my new employer (a local government) I've discovered that even when you work extensive overtime (like, an entire weekend or on a big project for 100+ hours in one week), you're still expected to be at work 8-5+ the following week. Sometimes, the supervisors will give us a break and let us come in at 9am. That's it. When I've asked for flex time, I'm referred to my vacation time. That is NOT cool.


A public organization expects you to work 100 hours a week? OK, if this was I-banking or one of the Big Four accounting firms I could see that...but a government agency? YEEEEEEEEEEEEESH!!!!!!