Salaried workers and overtime.... does it piss you off?

[Kanalua]

Originally posted by: LordSegan
I am about to start law school...

Good luck...just finishing up my 1L...

60 hours a week, good luck!

 

[fitzov]

Originally posted by: Kelvrick
If you know it coming in, can you really b1tch that much? I'm not salaried, but a lot of people where I work are. When they get hired, they're told that you're expected to work at least 60 hours during the tax season (Jan through April basically) and here is the salary, they get no overtime, these are the benefits.

:thumbsup:

 

[chimmytime]

if you're becoming a lawyer, your overtime will come as a bonus later in the year.

 

[mb]

In high school I worked at Panera Bread. Sometimes I would work so much overtime by working at more than one store that I was making more per hour than the salaried assistant managers.

 

[her209]

Don't forget to factor in cost of living and what not.

 

[lytalbayre]

Interesting topic. I always wondered about the legality of salaried employees not getting OT. I guess if you agreed to it to begin with..... but isn't there some kind of fair labor law or something... 🙁

 

[D1gger]

I work 11 - 12 hours per day (but only 5 days per week) and no OT, but I do get bonuses and flexibility to take the odd afternoon off to spend with my SO or play golf. Personally, I like the responsibility and flexibility that comes with a salaried position. I don?t like the feeling that I am punching a clock and if I come back from lunch 20 minutes late someone is going to dock my pay.

Basically if the job needs to be done I work until it is finished, but if there isn?t a lot of work to do I can have a little free time.

 

[imported_malcontent]

I am salaried and hours vary depending on current work load. The good thing is that I can take off, from time to time, and not lose any pay. We have a decent comp. time policy.

 

[gar3555]

I'm hourly, and when I'm on site, I've put in 80+ hours a week for multiple weeks in a row...it's very nice. def better than any salary only person.

 

[episodic]

I think alot of people forget that you don't have to work for a corporation because you are a lawyer. My brother graduated law school - worked 1 year for a big corp - said to hell with that - moved to a small town - mortaged a large home - turned the bottom into a law office - the top into his living place. Hung a sign, advertised in the phone book for family law - does quite well (not as well as he was doing) - but he opens at 9 - closes at 5 and is off weekends. Occasionally he will need to stay late preparing something - but most of it is quite straightforward. Heck, he is planning to hire a paralegal soon.

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: lytalbayre
Interesting topic. I always wondered about the legality of salaried employees not getting OT. I guess if you agreed to it to begin with..... but isn't there some kind of fair labor law or something... 🙁

It's perfectly legal.

They pretty much OWN you.

 

[FoBoT]

you have another option

do not work and live off the doal. or be a criminal

 

[kranky]

If you want a high-paying job, then it's going to be salary. A salaried person is paid to do a job, not to put in hours. Sometimes the job takes long hours, other times it doesn't.

When I got my first salaried position, I worked extra hours learning a minicomputer operating system. No one told me to do it, but my co-workers were 9-to-5ers and I stood out from the crowd. Now that it's years later, I would have to say those extra hours paid off handsomely.

If I need to go to the dentist, the doctor, make an appointment with my banker, etc., I can do it in the middle of the day if I want. If I want to meet a friend for lunch and take an hour and a half, I can do it. I only have to get the job done. If I need to get my car inspected, I can wait for it while using my cellular modem to stay connected.

We have some hourly people who crave the overtime, but they have no flexibility. If they need to do something during the day, they have to miss work. If they are sick for a week, they have to burn vacation time or lose pay. I don't.

But it's a personal choice. If you only want to work 40 hours, which is fine, then don't screw yourself by trying to work in a field where 50+ hours is the norm. Not only will you hate it, you probably won't excel.

There's precious few high-paying jobs with 40 hour work weeks.

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: kranky
If you want a high-paying job, then it's going to be salary. A salaried person is paid to do a job, not to put in hours. Sometimes the job takes long hours, other times it doesn't.

When I got my first salaried position, I worked extra hours learning a minicomputer operating system. No one told me to do it, but my co-workers were 9-to-5ers and I stood out from the crowd. Now that it's years later, I would have to say those extra hours paid off handsomely.

If I need to go to the dentist, the doctor, make an appointment with my banker, etc., I can do it in the middle of the day if I want. If I want to meet a friend for lunch and take an hour and a half, I can do it. I only have to get the job done. If I need to get my car inspected, I can wait for it while using my cellular modem to stay connected.

We have some hourly people who crave the overtime, but they have no flexibility. If they need to do something during the day, they have to miss work. If they are sick for a week, they have to burn vacation time or lose pay. I don't.

But it's a personal choice. If you only want to work 40 hours, which is fine, then don't screw yourself by trying to work in a field where 50+ hours is the norm. Not only will you hate it, you probably won't excel.

There's precious few high-paying jobs with 40 hour work weeks.

whoah there. High paying jobs are NOT salaried.

High paying jobs are paid by the result/project/engagement/commission. Salary is definately NOT the way to a high paying job.

 

[Albis]

my friends that are bankers suffer the most

after bonus, goldman sacs gave out around 120k for first year college grads but they were working around 100 hours/wk for most of the year

 

[Kelemvor]

Originally posted by: LordSegan
Point is, are those of us who are salaried workers just slaves, or would you be happy to work 60 hours a week for 125k a year?

Hmm. Would I be happy making $40/hr? Hell yes.

 

[Deleted member 4644]

Originally posted by: spidey07

Originally posted by: kranky
If you want a high-paying job, then it's going to be salary. A salaried person is paid to do a job, not to put in hours. Sometimes the job takes long hours, other times it doesn't.

When I got my first salaried position, I worked extra hours learning a minicomputer operating system. No one told me to do it, but my co-workers were 9-to-5ers and I stood out from the crowd. Now that it's years later, I would have to say those extra hours paid off handsomely.

If I need to go to the dentist, the doctor, make an appointment with my banker, etc., I can do it in the middle of the day if I want. If I want to meet a friend for lunch and take an hour and a half, I can do it. I only have to get the job done. If I need to get my car inspected, I can wait for it while using my cellular modem to stay connected.

We have some hourly people who crave the overtime, but they have no flexibility. If they need to do something during the day, they have to miss work. If they are sick for a week, they have to burn vacation time or lose pay. I don't.

But it's a personal choice. If you only want to work 40 hours, which is fine, then don't screw yourself by trying to work in a field where 50+ hours is the norm. Not only will you hate it, you probably won't excel.

There's precious few high-paying jobs with 40 hour work weeks.

whoah there. High paying jobs are NOT salaried.

High paying jobs are paid by the result/project/engagement/commission. Salary is definately NOT the way to a high paying job.

Ultra-high paying jobs in the 1 mil + range are not salary, true. But for mere mortals, and for anyone who doesn't have a senator as a father, one fast way to get 200k+ is to get a good salary job.

If you get lucky in life and work hard, you might be able to swing a commission type job that pays more than 200k.

 

[Deleted member 4644]

Originally posted by: FrankyJunior

Originally posted by: LordSegan
Point is, are those of us who are salaried workers just slaves, or would you be happy to work 60 hours a week for 125k a year?

Hmm. Would I be happy making $40/hr? Hell yes.

Yes it's 40+ an hour, but if you miss a few days of work or slack off one week, you could be SOL for life.

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: LordSegan
Ultra-high paying jobs in the 1 mil + range are not salary, true. But for mere mortals, and for anyone who doesn't have a senator as a father, one fast way to get 200k+ is to get a good salary job.

If you get lucky in life and work hard, you might be able to swing a commission type job that pays more than 200k.

You have much to learn.

That's all I'm gonna say.

A decent commision sales guy can have a base of 50K and still pull in 500K+ a year. when you make money for employer you are that much more valuable. Figure it out - in negotiations you demand a 3% cut on the sale. 5 mill a year contract? 150K commision check - each and every year for the duration.

when I say you have much to learn what I really mean is salary is the least of ones concerns.

If you are going into law you should understand this. You are paid by results and your clients. What would you rather have? Being paid 120K to work your fingers to the bones at 60 hours a week or get paid directly on how much money you make your company?

 

[Engineer]

Originally posted by: LordSegan
I am about to start law school, and I am looking forward to the eventual salary many lawyers make. But if you break it down hourly, it doesn't seem nearly as good. Working 65+ hours a week as a high ranking cop I would probably make nearly as much.

I have friends who are accountants and make 45k a year or so, but work 50+ hours a week. (Sometimes 60+ I think).

Point is, are those of us who are salaried workers just slaves, or would you be happy to work 60 hours a week for 125k a year?

<---- Salary plus Overtime FTW!!! 😀

 

[Deleted member 4644]

Originally posted by: spidey07

Originally posted by: LordSegan
Ultra-high paying jobs in the 1 mil + range are not salary, true. But for mere mortals, and for anyone who doesn't have a senator as a father, one fast way to get 200k+ is to get a good salary job.

If you get lucky in life and work hard, you might be able to swing a commission type job that pays more than 200k.

You have much to learn.

That's all I'm gonna say.

A decent commision sales guy can have a base of 50K and still pull in 500K+ a year. when you make money for employer you are that much more valuable. Figure it out - in negotiations you demand a 3% cut on the sale. 5 mill a year contract? 150K commision check - each and every year for the duration.

when I say you have much to learn what I really mean is salary is the least of ones concerns.

If you are going into law you should understand this. You are paid by results and your clients. What would you rather have? Being paid 120K to work your fingers to the bones at 60 hours a week or get paid directly on how much money you make your company?

What sort of jobs commonly have 50k base salaries and 500k commissions? I'm not saying it's impossible.. but I think it's rare. Maybe I am wrong. Please give me some examples?

 

[Homerboy]

time > money

 

[PeteyCPU]

Originally posted by: D1gger
I work 11 - 12 hours per day (but only 5 days per week) and no OT, but I do get bonuses and flexibility to take the odd afternoon off to spend with my SO or play golf. Personally, I like the responsibility and flexibility that comes with a salaried position. I don?t like the feeling that I am punching a clock and if I come back from lunch 20 minutes late someone is going to dock my pay.

Basically if the job needs to be done I work until it is finished, but if there isn?t a lot of work to do I can have a little free time.

yeah, but then "chargeable hours" becomes your new clock to be slave to.

 

[puffff]

Originally posted by: LordSegan

Originally posted by: spidey07

Originally posted by: LordSegan
Ultra-high paying jobs in the 1 mil + range are not salary, true. But for mere mortals, and for anyone who doesn't have a senator as a father, one fast way to get 200k+ is to get a good salary job.

If you get lucky in life and work hard, you might be able to swing a commission type job that pays more than 200k.

You have much to learn.

That's all I'm gonna say.

A decent commision sales guy can have a base of 50K and still pull in 500K+ a year. when you make money for employer you are that much more valuable. Figure it out - in negotiations you demand a 3% cut on the sale. 5 mill a year contract? 150K commision check - each and every year for the duration.

when I say you have much to learn what I really mean is salary is the least of ones concerns.

If you are going into law you should understand this. You are paid by results and your clients. What would you rather have? Being paid 120K to work your fingers to the bones at 60 hours a week or get paid directly on how much money you make your company?

What sort of jobs commonly have 50k base salaries and 500k commissions? I'm not saying it's impossible.. but I think it's rare. Maybe I am wrong. Please give me some examples?

there are thousands of jobs like that out there

... but there are millions more where base + commissions dont reach six figures.

some people in ATOT need to realize the average person doesnt make huge amounts of money. sure, you might know a handful of friends who make 150k out of college, but that's a VERY SMALL percentage of new graduates getting that.

 

[AreaCode707]

Originally posted by: JS80
Salary working 40hrs/week = no promotion
Salary working >50-60 hrs/week = fast track to promotion and higher increases in yearly adjustments

this of course depends on your profession...

That's been pretty true from what I've seen.

ZV, I'm going to bookmark this and prevent you from giving your, "I'm hourly but I can't wait to be salary so I can work 80 hrs a week and nobody can kick me out" spiel. 😛 Just because I know it's coming the moment you see this thread.