Working unpaid over the weekend, would you?

[Kentish]

Snowed under with work right now and deadlines that if missed can cost the company millions, so I'm in all weekend keeping up with it.

I'm obviously taking a quick break right now to post this as I've been here 5 hours so far.

I'm sitting here wondering whether it's really worth it, don't see wife & family, it costs me money to get here & I spend money on lunch out of their vending machine which they make a profit on. It's never really appreciated by anyone other than those you are directly supporting and it makes no difference to the outcome of my annula review and salary.

Oh and I'll ge behind on my studies!

The reason I'm here over the weekend is because I can't keep up with the workload during the week and will get penalised if I don't.

Worth it or not?

[Mandat]

Can't help you I'm afraid as I am sitting at my desk in the office thinking exactly the same thing as you.

[groucho]

Sounds like you don't have much choice.

[Arese]

In the current climate, I think yes I'd put up with it. Not every weekend though. I guess I might be naive enough to think I'd be rewarded for it one day.

[drivin_me_nuts]

I've done it many times in the past.

(supposedly) It builds good will ... which, generally speaking is about as long lasting as the 'aroma' in a jar of instant coffee.

[a boardman]

I am in work, will be working next weekend as well as the engineers have not given me the information for me to get my work done.

[sday12]

No, and neither should you. Go home.

[Asterix]

I take you get paid by the hour?

[Kentish]

I don't mind working weekends - it's just the thought of not being paid for it whilst all the others things I could be doing at home still need doing

Oh well, back to work!

My thoughts are with all of the rest of you who are needing to work unpaid!

[Kentish]

Asterix said:

I take you get paid by the hour?

Not for weekends, just Mon-Fri

[MarkwG]

drivin_me_nuts said:

I've done it many times in the past.

(supposedly) It builds good will ... which, generally speaking is about as long lasting as the 'aroma' in a jar of instant coffee.

- me too, commiserations: in the current climate, it's a "put up, shut up" world sadly. But what's missed is, it doesn't neccesarily build good will - if handled badly, it builds resentment & disaffection instead. If your employer is a short term thinker, they won't care.

[Asterix]

Kentish said:

Asterix said:

I take you get paid by the hour?

Not for weekends, just Mon-Fri

Fair enough - my position is salaried and I have the responsibility to get the job done - if that means weekends or evenings, as it does sometimes, then that's what I signed up for.

[jas xjr]

to make you guys feel a little better, i started a little business last year. i am in month 10 of working for nothing. not complaining but just to say its hard out there for most of us

[Kentish]

Asterix said:

Kentish said:

Asterix said:

I take you get paid by the hour?

Not for weekends, just Mon-Fri

Fair enough - my position is salaried and I have the responsibility to get the job done - if that means weekends or evenings, as it does sometimes, then that's what I signed up for.

I'm salaried too but they break it down into an hourly rate of compensation.

I guess we could look at it another way and that is we are often lucky to get the weekend off

The hvac engineers have gone for lunch so I now get some peace!
Didn't know they'd be here, very noisy ....and a bit chilly.

[Arese]

jas xjr said:

to make you guys feel a little better, i started a little business last year. i am in month 10 of working for nothing. not complaining but just to say its hard out there for most of us

Ouch. I hope it gets better for you.

[condor]

I wouldn't unless there was an understanding of time off in lieu when things were quieter. There needs to be a healthy mix of home and work life - work to live not live to work
If you've got too heavy a workload then ask for help so you can manage it effectively.

[OnTheOverrun]

Kentish said:

I'm obviously taking a quick break right now to post this as I've been here 5 hours so far.

Well, you've made the best part of 10,000 posts in the last 5 years, so about 6 or 7 a day, every day for five years. Now let's assume you spend 4 times as much time reading the forum as you do posting, then if you'd spent that time working instead of on PH, you might not need to do these weekends to keep up!

I've done what you do regularly in the past, but only for my own business, not for someone else. It's worth killing yourself to build up a business that might allow you to retire in luxury at 45, but it isn't worth it to allow someone else to!

[Chrisgr31]

I might occasionally work unpaid at the weekends or in to the evening but it shouldn't be a regular event. If it is a regular event then something is wrong either with the way you are working or the amount of work you are being given.

the bosses will often hold out that it will be worth it in the end, as you will be in their position. Isn't that why we use to have fagging at public schools with the juniors perpetually running errands for the seniors. Its been abolished there but has moved into the workplace instead.

Oh and of course you may be in breach of the european work directive!

[mrmaggit]

condor said:

I wouldn't unless there was an understanding of time off in lieu when things were quieter. There needs to be a healthy mix of home and work life - work to live not live to work
If you've got too heavy a workload then ask for help so you can manage it effectively.

Wot he said.

[snorky]

I have some contractors working with me at the mo on a project.They are not allowed to book ANY travelling time - they have to do it their own time....no matter how far they have to travel...what a wonderful society we live in...I wonder if I ordered 5 products off that company and only paid for 3 if they'd put up with that...like they seem to think their employees have to....I often wonder if this is the old adage about the value you place on yourself is the one others will use...