Employer Rant ...

[Blieb]

Cliffs: One of my company's partners is a meanie
-------------------------------

It's known that overtime is common, yet overtime pay or comp time is far and few ... at the last company I worked for they didn't even keep track of vacation. Everyone worked hard and as long as you didn't abuse time off --- it was cool.

The place I work now is like most places and keeps tracks of vacation & sick time. I work 40-45/week all the time. No biggie. Once in a while throw in a 50+ ... go team! right ...

However, this week (Friday->Friday) I worked:

(Last M-R: ~34)
F: 12.5
S: 2
S: 7 (travel + work)
M: 12
T: 12
W: 15 (work + travel)
R: 6.5
---------------
67 hours

I knew this trip was going to consume a ton of time. So last week I asked for this Friday off as comp. No problem.

My wife is having surgery on Wednesday, and I said to my manager as a side-comment that I have enough time in this week to use Wednesday as a comp day too, and not dip into my sick/vacation.

He said we'll have to talk to one of the partners because that partner feels it's "expected for salaried employees to go above and beyond." Which I also understand. I'm not complaining about working my ass off. But I just put in almost 70 hours ... and I can't take 2 days back? They're still UP even if they decided that I "earned back" HALF the hours of my own time that I already GAVE them to help the COMPANY make $$$$.

In the future, why would I put any extra effort forward if they don't respect my time and effort? I don't need brownie points, my work is good.

At the old company, the win-some-lose-some mindset was in place. Some weeks I worked 50, then Maybe I'd work 35. No biggie.

A few guys I work with stop recording their hours at 40. A lot of our projects are done at an hourly rate ... they feel that if they can't get properly comp'd with time or $ ... the company shouldn't be able to benefit. They'd rather give the client free work than feel abused.

If "the house" always breaks even or wins ... that's NOT win-some-lose-some.

This concludes my rant. Comments and personal experiences welcome ... Thanks!

 

[RadiclDreamer]

Ive noticed that this is the growing trend in America, you are expected to give your heart and soul to the company. When it comes time that you need something, SEE YA! Its gotten to the point where employers feel they are doing you some huge favor by allowing you to work. There are always other places that will appreciate you more, I found that out and love my new job

 

[Aharami]

working in america generallty sucks when compared to other developed countries.

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Some of those guys demand respect for their position, and all I can tell them is that respect works both ways, and the way to gain respect is to show it to others. This is far from respecting you - you're taking time off for your wife's surgery, and are a good worker, they should treat you well and avoid issues like this.

This is the kind of administrative junk that wastes time from being productive - as long as people aren't abusing freedom to have time off, why make it an issue?

 

[sjwaste]

You can probably do better. I don't have negative experience to speak of since I've had two jobs since college, the first only 9 months. The one I have now, I've done a couple of different rotations within the company, and its all based on the 40 hour week. We do submit timesheets, but you can't even put in more than 40 hrs a week on it. It's sort of up to your boss to figure out what he wants you to do, but everyone I've worked for and with will just comp out some hours if they need the time off. If not, everyone ends up working a few extra hours a week sometimes (but sometimes less, too). In the end, the company probably gets more than 40 out of everyone on average, but because of the respect, everyone's happy to do it -- they know they could just go home at the 40 hour mark if they really wanted.

Unless this job has a great career path that you're moving toward, it seems like it's time to at least start looking. Culture and your manager are probably two of the most important things in a job, at least for me, and it seems like you're not set there.

 

[Aikouka]

I was actually told to not work overtime... I can tell you that I was not unhappy at this remark .

Also, check your company policies about time off depending on how much you already have accrued for the week. I know there's the concept of 4/10, but I think you're a bit past that.

 

[Chryso]

So I suppose it is expected for the company to go below and beneath.

 

[oboeguy]

Welcome to the world of at-will employment, where you get the worst of all worlds!

 

[Blieb]

Yeah ... most places that don't have commuters don't like 4*10 ... 'cause they can't grab you on Friday ...

I really like the people I work with ... but one of the top dawgs has this crazy streak ... it really sours the morale of a lot of the employees.

There's a lot of state gov't where I live ... they seem to frown upon 40+ weeks (unless you're part of the top dog political pony show) ...

 

[Blieb]

Originally posted by: Chryso
So I suppose it is expected for the company to go below and beneath.

No. Just treat employees with respect.

Don't be upset if I go home at 40 on the dot because I HAVE to work 40 minimum ... but know you feel that 8 hours is comp enough for 70 FRIGGIN HOURS!!!

I am thankful to have a job and I feel that my efforts also deserve appreciation. Paying me for my work is not appreciation, that is the barter arrangement called employment.

 

[tw1164]

just call in sick

 

[markgm]

I work 40 hours a week. If you want longer hours or 'above and beyond' then my paycheck should show longer hours and be "above and beyond."

 

[jandrews]

Well I manage a group of IT guys for a small to mid sized business. Sometimes people have to put in extra time to get stuff done its just the way of the world. If one of my employees had to work 65-70 hours one week I would definately give them a comp day for it. But asking for two regularly worked days for a very rare week of extra time is seems a bit much to me even if it is fair in your eyes. Maybe I am just an asshole manager but I would feel like the employee would be trying to take advantage.

 

[MyThirdEye]

New Job?

 

[kranky]

In my experience, it's best to avoid using the words "comp time". It suggests that you are a clock-watcher and that is a huge turn-off. When you said what you did, this is what he heard: "I put in extra time, so I want to make sure I get an hour-for-hour credit." I know that's not exactly what you said, but I guarantee that's what he heard. That's why he said what he did about salaried people having to go above and beyond.

What I do is make sure my manager is aware if I have a crazy week like you did, then work in the day off request at the same time. "Hey Ed, as you know I worked through the weekend and had some very long days this week. Things are under control and I'm going to take Friday off to catch up with some things at home. And my wife is having some surgery next Wednesday so I won't be in."

Now, if the boss says OK, I'm taking Friday off and I'm not going to charge it to vacation. I'm not going to say I want comp time. It's implied that I went way above and beyond and, having worked like a crazy person for 7 days straight, I need a break.

Do not use the words "comp time"!

 

[Blieb]

Originally posted by: kranky
Do not use the words "comp time"!

The way you put it, makes sense ... coming across to the penny watcher as a clock watcher ...

I guess "comp" is the only label I've heard for it ... but just saying "take off" ... does sound more pleasant ...

Thanks!

 

[Blieb]

Originally posted by: jandrews
But asking for two regularly worked days for a very rare week of extra time is seems a bit much to me even if it is fair in your eyes.

I've never asked for that before ... normally I put in my 40+ and don't say jack ... have only ever come in late and left a little early the next day from one other series of long days ... usually I just chalk it up to win-some-lose-some ...

We all accept the duties and challenges and potentially long hours ... I'm just not used to hearing my efforts go down the 'who cares' crapper like this ...