"i am willing to work more than 48hours"

[j.o.s.h.1408]

Hi. has anyone come across the above phrase in a contract of employment? never seen that phrase before.

basically it gives you two options. one saying you are willing and the other you are not(if required).

It is for a typical 9-5 job. any of you guys ever agreed to work over 48 hours? sounds a bit extreme? can an employer deny the agreement if you cant work over 48 hours per week?

[Ferral]

Yeah, its quite common now. Seen it in my last 2 jobs on the contracts.

[spoon_]

Only 48 hours?

Is very extreme week I can probably do 100+ hours...

I'd deffo agree unless overtime is discretionary.

[Lucio]

I suspect it's a way of getting round the EU regulations on maximum working hours to ensure that staff can work whatever is necessary at times of a big project. An important question to ask your employers is a) will I get paid for these extra hours and b) do I have a right to decline them if personal circumstances dictate otherwise?

It's also important to ensure that the answers to a) and b) are given to you in writing and ideally included in your contract.

[j.o.s.h.1408]

u in the IT business? i thought this may be a indication that this job may be stressful where everyday you finish late etc with no social life

did you agree you would work over 48hours?

edit: yea i can opt out of it by giving a weeks notice

This consent does not constitute any agreement or guarantee by xxxx that overtime or extra hours will be available.

I understand that if my circumstances change and I can no longer agree to work more than 48 hours, I must give one week’s notice in writing. Additionally I understand that work undertaken with other companies will contribute to the 48 hour total.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

I would make sure that any overtime is paid and not free work out of the goodness of your heart!

[j.o.s.h.1408]

Yea that is one of the questions i have asked the company. if they will pay for overtime. i am suppose to only do 37.5hours a week.

[Lucio]

Well, that last paragraph clinches it; it's all about compliance with the EU Working Time Directive. It's definitely up to you whether or not you sign it, though whatever the law says it will have an impact on your promotion chances.

Still worth clarifying the points I suggested, after all, the whole point of doing *that* much overtime is you get a fat, juicy paycheck to compensate you for your stress!

[TheAnimus]

top tip, censor employers names when posting, well erm anything on the internets.

[j.o.s.h.1408]

Yes i agree. if i can get paid for overtime that should be fine.

[badass]

I believe the ability to opt out of the 48 hour working week has now been removed by the EU, however don't take that as gospel.
That would make that part of the contract irrelevant in law. In practice you don't really want to get in an argument with your employer about it.
You always have the option of saying you'll work the 48+ hours weeks initially, then if they take the mick, give them their weeks notice.

[j.o.s.h.1408]

top tip, censor employers names when posting, well erm anything on the internets.

edited my post. thought i censored it

[Unique]

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employme...ff/DG_10029426

it's just to opt out of the 48 hours liimit under the working time regulations. if you opt out, you can always cancel the opt out in future

[kidzer]

Yeah, I got a form that had a similar thing as part of my contract of employment - it mentioned waiving a right to limits under the working time directive (or something like that, I can't quite remember!)

I never signed it - but I still work overtime if required (and get paid for it), I'll happily work OT to get stuff done - especially as I'm in a small company at the moment, but I don't want $employer to take it for granted...it's always if I can do it, if it's on a weekend for example and I have plans that would be a hassle to cancel/re-arrange then I probably wouldn't work it.

[Consfearacy]

48 hours is quite a slow week for a chef, dont think i worked lees than that.

[TheAnimus]

been honest there is a fine line between working overtime unpaid, and mucking in every now and again. Its a two way street and if your been paid enough you have to accept it, and some days I'll spend an hour browsing hexus forums from work anyway, so maybe its only time they've paid for i'm giving back...

This thou is mearly the standard opt out of the EU working time directive bollocks, pretty much everyone asks for it. So don't be too alaramed.