Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Everyone out!

On his site, Grendel has written about 'Work your proper hours' Day. It reminded me of a post I was thinking about.

Husband and Elder Son both work in IT in the private sector. Both work hard and very long hours. Husband doesn't get paid for his extra hours; Elder Son gets half-time. I said, 'You mean time and a half?'
'No, half-time.'
'That's scandalous! Where's the union?'
'We're not allowed to join unions.'

Husband is in a senior position and is well-paid; I can sort of understand that with authority comes responsibility. Elder Son is just starting out. To not be paid a fair wage for the work he does is wrong. It's undermining and eroding principles of employment.

And it's not just about pay. Elder Son is young and newly-married. He works in London. He hardly sees his new wife during the week. This can't make for good employees. There've been lots of reports that say that the best workers are those who have time to spend with their families, to recharge, the ones who have the right balance of work and play.

Husband has done well in his career because he's good at it. He could have done better and advanced further if he'd been prepared to move frequently, to take work home with him, and to play golf and go drinking with the boss. I'm glad - and proud of him - that he didn't do any of those.

6 comments:

CherryPie said...

I agree it's unfair. I have friends and colleagues who work in IT. They used to work for the public sector then the work was privatised. Some kept the original terms and conditions and are still represented by the Trade Unions and others decided to go for the privatised terms and conditions and can't be represented by the Trade Unions. And of course new starters don't have the option of the old terms and conditions.

You can imagine how hard it is to sort out problems that affect the whole workforce.

Liz Hinds said...

Husband was in the public sector until privatised. For a long time he kept the original terms and conditions but finally changed over - and I can't grumble about his job (except he has to work away too much and is too tired!) but it does have good points. Elder Son on the other hand ...

Leslie: said...

That is unbelieveable that Elder Son doesn't even get paid his regular salary for overtime. Is it possible to say he can't work overtime? He MUST be mistaken and it's time and a half!!!

Welshcakes Limoncello said...

Not being allowed to join a union? I'd be off!

jmb said...

Is there no Employment Standard Act or similar there. This is a government legislation and usually cover such things which certainly would not allow anyone being paid half time.

Do you think it is meant to discourage working overtime?

Liz Hinds said...

Both Husband and Elder Son work for large (American) businesses (different ones). Elder Son is expected to work however long it takes to get work done, even if he is presented with that work half an hour before 'home-time'. A few weeks ago, for example, he was in until 9 on a Friday evening. By the time he got home it was past bedtime! But if you don't co-operate then I imagine that advancement is unlikely.