Excessive Hours

[Smowball]

(I’ll answer about injured son on another thread - this is separate xx)

Teen Smow started new job bout 6 weeks ago roughly. Hours are meant to be 8.30am - 5.30pm. The commute is at least 1.5 hrs each way so at least 3 hrs a day. But for the last few weeks he has been in the office till at least 7.30 pm every day, meaning he isn’t betting home till almost 9.30pm, and he would have left the house at 6.30am.
He looks like death, he is so shattered. He is still on probation so won’t say anything but I think they’re taking the P. He says his boss just keeps saying oh this needs to be done before you leave, but she sounds like a complete workaholic. She might as well sleep there! He doesn’t get paid for any of these extra hours and is basically doing at least an extra whole day’s work a week unpaid.
Is it just a case of tough luck??

[1ozzy]

Could possibly be a case of "show us what you are made of", if you are made of the right stuff you have a career here.

Who knows?

[maggiebee]

Sounds as if the boss is taking advantage of him, especially as he is new to the job. Is she approachable? Can he explain the situation to her? Maybe needs to look around for something else if nothing is going to change. Poor boy sounds absolutely exhausted.

[Smowball]

He says the people are ok, nice enough, but he doesn’t really know them. The other day he didn’t get to take his lunch break till 4pm and he was starving. It’s a company that specialises in removals and he is responsible for all overseas removals ie people in London wanting to move to Italy etc, he has to do all the quotes to move their furniture, fine art, cars etc....

[SlackAlice]

Tell him to start looking for a new job, whilst remaining employed as such.

Tell him to ask if she's got a spare cot to use and breakfast facilities.

[Smowball]

It’s a good job, but think they’re taking the mickey slightly. In his last company out of the entire company he won Employee of the Year and I think maybe like you said they’re testing him but even so........

[1ozzy]

//He says the people are ok, nice enough//
That's a good start
//but he doesn’t really know them//
6 Weeks?
Not surprised.
Could be a "worthiness test", could be utilising the newest employee.
If he likes being there he needs to give it a go, if not, move on.

[ummmm]

The commute is not taken into consideration but has he signed anything to agree he's willing to work over 48 hours per week?

[Smowball]

Hi ummmm , I actually don’t know - I will have to ask him. I know it’s an incredibly busy company who are well known in their field, but the hours are turning our absolutely nothing like they are meant to be. And when it gets to winter soon he isn’t even going to see daylight. I’ve told him to have a look for something nearer but it’s quite a specific job.

[Smowball]

Is there a rule on working over 48 hours?

[Mamyalynne]

https://www.gov.uk/maximum-weekly-working-hours

[anneasquith]

He chose to do the long commute . How long will he be away from his job following his accident ?

[ummmm]

Yes, I had to sign one when I worked in a hospital.

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/work/rights-at-work/basic-rights-and-contracts/check-how-many-hours-youre-working/

[ummmm]

Anne...Smow has 3 sons.

[anneasquith]

Oh, wrong son ?

[naomi24]

//Is there a rule on working over 48 hours? //

Doubt it. City workers, many of whom spend long hours commuting, work the necessary hours as a matter of course. If he isn’t happy, he should look elsewhere.

[Old_Geezer]

They force him to stay, or the job needs doing and so he feels he's responsible to stay and do it ? What is the boss' attitude when pointing out it needs to be done ? When I was employed they weren't strict on arrival and leaving times, but jobs needed to be done in the estimated time, so staying late wasn't unusual. Not a good position to be in though. Maybe he could move to nearer the job ? Or as a teenager does he not feel ready for that yet ?

[Smowball]

He knew about the commute, that’s not really the issue - it’s London so that’s the way it goes. I think he just assumed that it would be like his previous company where he did the same role, and had the odd late night but basically did the hours he was told. This is way way outside his hours, plus 3 hrs commute a day.....

[Old_Geezer]

Maybe he can explain the situation and that the workload needs two really. Even if they aren't happy about taking on more staff they may find ways of reducing the load just so he's fit to work.

[Old_Geezer]

The commute is a factor for him, but not his employer's responsibility. Any discussion needs to focus on work, with any commute only added as a side issue to any conversation to give better understanding.

[Smowball]

Quotes come in every day and his boss simply says oh these quotes have to be done before you leave. Well one can come in half hour before he is ready to go. Why it can’t wait till 8.30 am next day I do not know.