Enforced overtime
Discussion
I drive dayshift for a firm with a depot in central Scotland, and I normally start at 7.30am. I never know where I'll be going until I turn up in the morning and collect my manifest for that day. What's annoying is that, although I could have a local run, I could equally be sent to Aberdeen, Stranraer, or anywhere in between.
The company works on the basis of an 8-hour day, with paid overtime on top of that. A long run or a late booking will almost certainly mean a shift of 10-14 hours, which doesn't allow me (or my fellow drivers) to plan any sort of social life during the week. What the planner is doing is effectively forcing us to do overtime whether we like it or not. I have lost count of the number of times I've arranged to go out with friends, and had to cancel because I'm still halfway down the A90 at 8 o'clock at night.
Yes, I know trucking will never be 9-5, or anything close to that, however, I don't particularly need the extra money, I'd far rather have a life outside of work, thank-you.
Any thoughts/comments anybody?
The company works on the basis of an 8-hour day, with paid overtime on top of that. A long run or a late booking will almost certainly mean a shift of 10-14 hours, which doesn't allow me (or my fellow drivers) to plan any sort of social life during the week. What the planner is doing is effectively forcing us to do overtime whether we like it or not. I have lost count of the number of times I've arranged to go out with friends, and had to cancel because I'm still halfway down the A90 at 8 o'clock at night.
Yes, I know trucking will never be 9-5, or anything close to that, however, I don't particularly need the extra money, I'd far rather have a life outside of work, thank-you.
Any thoughts/comments anybody?
Edited by Plastic chicken on Monday 6th October 01:24
What does your contract state regarding overtime? Does it offer it as optionional overtime or enforced as per the "needs of the business"?
I also work in trucking and our days are usually around 10 hours. Sometimes the planners get us back loads which increases the day and others its just traffic. It isn't the job where you can book a table at a restaurant and then guarantee you will be there in time to be honest thats just the way it is.
It doesn't really bother me to be honest. If my friends go out mid-week then I just tell them I will be there if I can, if I can't then no problems and I don't get too worked up about it. I knew what I was getting into and missing out on a few hours of social time during the week is a small price to pay for what I get to do at work tbh...but Im one of these weird ones that love the job!
Have you considered maybe shunting as this would offer more stable hours but would obviously be more physical work depending on the type of stuff you move.
I also work in trucking and our days are usually around 10 hours. Sometimes the planners get us back loads which increases the day and others its just traffic. It isn't the job where you can book a table at a restaurant and then guarantee you will be there in time to be honest thats just the way it is.
It doesn't really bother me to be honest. If my friends go out mid-week then I just tell them I will be there if I can, if I can't then no problems and I don't get too worked up about it. I knew what I was getting into and missing out on a few hours of social time during the week is a small price to pay for what I get to do at work tbh...but Im one of these weird ones that love the job!
Have you considered maybe shunting as this would offer more stable hours but would obviously be more physical work depending on the type of stuff you move.
Edited by ymwoods on Saturday 27th September 02:03
Chrisgr31 said:
Shouldnt you (and the other drivers) be speaking with the planner and advising him when you would like to be home early so that on those days he can give you local routes, and the other days longer routes?
ThisI was a pump attendant for years & I always found myself on the longest late shifts. I eventually queried it with the rota planner & they genuinely thought they were doing me a favour as I was a bit hard up. After we'd spoke the rotas became a lot more bearable.
Feel lucky that i'm under no pressure here (medium sized bus company) to do any enforced overtime. Anything over 9 hours 15 minutes I can refuse to work without any comebacks whatsoever. I can work as little and as much as I want, lots of people have jumped ship and come running back for these conditions!
My contract states that the "standard working week shall be 40 hours...you may be offered the opportunity to work overtime if required to do so at reasonable notice or if necessary for the proper performance of your duties." That last phrase has all the bases covered.
Fair play to the guys who want to work the extra hours, but after doing this job for around 20 years, I'm just not that interested any more.
Fair play to the guys who want to work the extra hours, but after doing this job for around 20 years, I'm just not that interested any more.
This is part of the reason I'm so happy with my job. I have a class 1 yet I drive cement mixers for a small company. I'm not an owner driver. I start at 7 am and finish as 4.30pm and if there's a big pour that's been mis measured I might be there till half 6 or something. No nights out, no sitting round for hours in a waiting room, not much motorway work. I never need to drive further than an hour away then get out and have a stretch when I'm there.
I could earn more driving class 1 but what's the point if all I do is work. I normally average a 50 hour week, 55 tops. Lovely.
I could earn more driving class 1 but what's the point if all I do is work. I normally average a 50 hour week, 55 tops. Lovely.
User33678888 said:
Why should your employer tell you when to work? Next thing they'll be telling you how much you're to be paid..
Very constructive, thanks.Maybe I should go for the shelf-stacking job at Asda; the hourly pay'll be about the same & at least I'll know my finishing time....
A reputable company shouldn't be planning anything over a thirteen hour day. Reduced rest is for you, not for them.
It is particularly there to benefit drivers nighting out, when they'd struggle to fill an hour and they would still get eight hours sleep.
It isn't uncommon, but the TC would open up a whole world of s
t for the company if they found out...
It is particularly there to benefit drivers nighting out, when they'd struggle to fill an hour and they would still get eight hours sleep.
It isn't uncommon, but the TC would open up a whole world of s
t for the company if they found out...Gassing Station | Commercial Break | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff