"You are expected to work 10 hours a day"

[Namuna]

I've been working at my company for over 9 years (a little over 1 year in the current position and group I'm in).

I am a salaried employee and I feel very strongly that I'm being pretty much taken advantaged of, as well as not being given due credit for the amount of work I do.

The thing that really drove this home was being in a meeting recently where our Manager told us that salaried employees are expected to work 10 hours per workday (so basically we're all expected to work 50hr work weeks as the norm)...So basically I'm exepcted to give 10 extra hours of work a week for free (being on salary)

I could even learn to live with these expectations, except they DON'T compensate (monetarily) for it.

I've put in a LONNNNNG time with the company and in that time I've made a lot of work friends and connections...I don't want to just quit (and to me that means they win too).

At this point I think I should consult someone as to what my rights are, but who? Are there labor lawyers or labor consultants or anything like that?

Thanks.

 

[arcenite]

Originally posted by: Namuna
I've been working at my company for over 9 years (a little over 1 year in the current position and group I'm in).

I am a salaried employee and I feel very strongly that I'm being pretty much taken advantaged of, as well as not being given due credit for the amount of work I do.

The thing that really drove this home was being in a meeting recently where our Manager told us that salaried employees are expected to work 10 hours per workday (so basically we're all expected to work 50hr work weeks as the norm)...So basically I'm exepcted to give 10 extra hours of work a week for free (being on salary)

I could even learn to live with these expectations, except they DON'T compensate (monetarily) for it.

I've put in a LONNNNNG time with the company and in that time I've made a lot of work friends and connections...I don't want to just quit (and to me that means they win too).

At this point I think I should consult someone as to what my rights are, but who? Are there labor lawyers or labor consultants or anything like that?

Thanks.

Sometimes you gotta take a "loss" to keep your pride. If you've really been at the company this long and this is how they're treating you, if they aren't willing to work with you and you truely feel you are being taken advantage of, it might be time to line up another job.

 

[sixone]

You have the right to quit whenever you want. Have you spoken with anyone higher than your manager?

 

[shilala]

Just don't do it and force their hand.
It's best to do a balls check to see what they're made of before you tell them they'll need to get up with a 20% raise if they want 20% more time.

 

[Albis]

50 hours isn't that bad. it could be worse

 

[FoBoT]

i am having some partially similar problems

i have been doing voluntary overtime of hundreds of hours per year for the last 3 years hoping to get paid off with a promotion
but i don't think it is going to happen.
i think i have painted myself into a corner, if i start working 40 hour weeks, then everyone is going to percieve that i am slacking, when i will just be doing what the others in my pay grade/job description have been doing during the same time period

anytime something comes up to be done after hours or "must be 100% and ontime" , i get elected. boss asks for a volunteer, i jump in if i know i can do it

all for not i feel now

i have been with the company 7 years, 5 in this same pay grade/job description. the job description is a joke, i do so many more things that are not in it, espcially compared to the other 3 in our group. this blows

good luck Namuna, i don't know if there is a way out other than get a different position, either inside or outside the company

p.s. my boss has always gotten me good raises every year, he just failed to come through with the promotion. i didn't work 57 days in a row with no days off to get 6% instead of 3%, i thought it was obvious, i am a sucker i think

 

[Svnla]

In my former job <salaried>, I was expected to work at least 60 hrs a week. I felt unfair and went elsewhere. If you think you can do better money wise someplace else, get another job.

Edit: IIRC, as long as you are on salary, they can work you as long as they want to and you won't get a dime in OT pay.

 

[sniperruff]

basically you're screwed. im in the same boat. and hey i'm unionized too. but can i do anything? sure. will it make a big damn mess and i won't get a reference out of this job at all? sure. will it accomplish a lot? probably not.

 

[jadinolf]

Originally posted by: Albis
50 hours isn't that bad. it could be worse

When I was in management 60 hours was not unusual for me. If you are worried about how many hours you are working you'd better get an hourly job.

 

[sixone]

Don't stay in a sucky job just for your friends - you can keep them and work somewhere else. There are good people everywhere, you will find new friends at a new job, if you take that step.

 

[Albis]

Originally posted by: jadinolf

Originally posted by: Albis
50 hours isn't that bad. it could be worse

When I was in management 60 hours was not unusual for me. If you are worried about how many hours you are working you'd better get an hourly job.

i know what you mean, my friends are in i banking and sales & trade and they normally work 80-100 hours a week

 

[Whoozyerdaddy]

You can always quit. If what they were asking you to do were illegal they would have been sued a long time ago.

I'm salaried. I work 7 days a week from September - April... 70-80 hours a week. So you'll forgive me if I think you're a wuss for complaining about having to work 50.

 

[Zenmervolt]

First of all, if salaried employees are expected to put in 50 hours a week, then your salary is based on 50 hours per week, not 40. You're being paid for 50 hours each week.

Second, you're salaried exempt. You don't get overtime and they're perfectly free to expect 50 hours per week. So stop with the labor lawyer BS.

Third, boo-friggin-hoo. If you don't want to quit then your obviously satisfied with things as they are, so stop complaining. If you weren't OK with this, you'd be pushing your resume out to anyone who'd look at it. And be glad you're not in Finance. You'd be salaried and expected to put in 65-70 hours a week. Don't even get me started on the 80-90 hour weeks in Investment Banking. 50 hours a week is barely idling through.

ZV

 

[BooGiMaN]

so what if they make you come in 10 hours extra..if you feel its unfair dont do squat for those hours.....i hope the manager that said that leads by example and doesnt take long lunches and leave earlier cuz otherwise id be pretty pissed off.

like soemone said your pay rate is out of a 50 hour week not 40 so they are actually paying you less than you think an hour.

Fobot

stop volunteering....see what happenes when they notice you no longer volunteer...voice your disapointment in not getting that promotion when they ask what is wrong.

 

[HonkeyDonk]

Is that 50 hours including a 1 hour lunch break?

I have to work 9 hours but 1 hour is for lunch break so you could say I work 45 hours/ week.

so if your's is similar to mine, then you're only adding in an extra 5 hours per week which isn't a big deal.

 

[her209]

Easy, do 5 hours of worth of work in a 10 hour work day.

 

[JinLien]

Originally posted by: her209
Easy, do 5 hours of worth of work in a 10 hour work day.

I tried that in my last job and it back fired, because they found more things for me do to in a day and I'm back at 10 hours per day & more work.

Best is to field for a new job and ask them to match the offer, and leave if they can't match the new offer. You can pick and chose your offers while holding a job because you don't have to take a low ball to be employ.

 

[MechJinx]

Wow, it's amazing what people will put up with.

My advice, quit or better yet, get yourself fired so you can get unemployment while looking for another job.

I was in Software Development for 9 years. For the last 5, I was salaried and, at times, required to put in 80-100 hours a week so the project could finish on time. A RIF came along and I was part of the RIF. I was pissed at first because I thought I was being screwed out of my job. But, I got a good compensation package and got another job in 4 months. My current job only requires 40 hours a week and pays only about two-thirds of my last job. But, I really like my co-workers(one is a friend since middle school), the environment is much better, and I have a life outside of work again. I am so glad I was fired. Otherwise, I have the personality type that I would still be doing everything I could to advance at my first job; busting my butt cranking out 80-100 hour weeks with no overtime pay and a lousy work environment (the last manager I had there managed by fear of losing your job, he was a the worst manager I've ever had).

If you hate it, get out. It might be the best move you ever make, especially if you think your life should not revolve around work. I personally feel that if your life revolves around work(all your friends and activities are work related), your life is way out of whack. But, that is just my opinion.

 

[BooGiMaN]

Originally posted by: MechJinx
Wow, it's amazing what people will put up with.

My advice, quit or better yet, get yourself fired so you can get unemployment while looking for another job.

I was in Software Development for 9 years. For the last 5, I was salaried and, at times, required to put in 80-100 hours a week so the project could finish on time. A RIF came along and I was part of the RIF. I was pissed at first because I thought I was being screwed out of my job. But, I got a good compensation package and got another job in 4 months. My current job only requires 40 hours a week and pays only about two-thirds of my last job. But, I really like my co-workers(one is a friend since middle school), the environment is much better, and I have a life outside of work again. I am so glad I was fired. Otherwise, I have the personality type that I would still be doing everything I could to advance at my first job; busting my butt cranking out 80-100 hour weeks with no overtime pay and a lousy work environment (the last manager I had there managed by fear of losing your job, he was a the worst manager I've ever had).

If you hate it, get out. It might be the best move you ever make, especially if you think your life should not revolve around work. I personally feel that if your life revolves around work(all your friends and activities are work related), your life is way out of whack. But, that is just my opinion.

exactly ....when RIF time comes around they wont care or remember how many hours you put in....

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

If you are salaried, they CAN NOT TELL YOU TO WORK 50 HOUR DAYS! It is highly illegal!

And honestly. When I started working, my mentor said it best.

Work 40 hours a week, but when deadlines near, don't complain if you have to work 50-60 hours to get things done.

The best advise I ever rceived!

On my current project, they actually frown upon working 41 hours! They simply do not want you to burn out and that's what is important. Actually, that's true of my department to. This other department I am "on loan" to is adimant over it thoguh.

 

[dartworth]

Originally posted by: IHateMyJob2004
It is highly illegal!

Are their different levels of illegal?

I always thought it was legal or illegal...::shrug::

 

[ViRGE]

Originally posted by: dartworth

Originally posted by: IHateMyJob2004
It is highly illegal!

Are their different levels of illegal?

I always thought it was legal or illegal...::shrug::

Well, there are misdemeanors and felonies, so as poor as the language choice is, yes, something could technically be highly illegal.

 

[dainthomas]

Originally posted by: Albis

Originally posted by: jadinolf

Originally posted by: Albis
50 hours isn't that bad. it could be worse

When I was in management 60 hours was not unusual for me. If you are worried about how many hours you are working you'd better get an hourly job.

i know what you mean, my friends are in i banking and sales & trade and they normally work 80-100 hours a week

How does one do this and avoid heart attack/stroke before they're 50?

No thanks. I value my health and family. Hint: Working 12-14 hour days is NOT conducive to your wife not banging other dudes. Not saying it WILL happen, but it's certainly pushing it.

 

[minendo]

Salaried = fvcked

 

[dartworth]

M-F 7-3 for me