Anyone that that thinks unpaid overtime is not requisite to their job is either on a different plannet or working in the public sector.

Public sector workers no break on some days! Are you for real?

If you were to ask a doctor when last they took a break, they’d just stare at you… You’re tarring everyone with the same brush.
Please don’t.

Fotocrat, not all public sector workers sit in an office all day and twiddle their thumbs, those of us that look after others can’t just clock off because it’s official home time if someone needs you, can’t just go for break if an emergency happens, sometimes you cant even get to the toilet! These sort of circumstances arise on a daily basis. It’s unfair as Michael said to tar us all with the same brush.

I disagree, in order for buisnesses to succeed they need committed employees with a winning attitude. Your sallary should be enough, if it’s not, move on.

The acceptability of unpaid overtime depends on the type of job you have and the size and nature of the organization you work for.

If you work as a professional in a private firm, especially a small one, unpaid overtime is likely to be the norm. It is completely acceptable once the piss is not taken.

I would hazard that the more one is paid, the more likely one is to work more than 39 hours a week, work through lunch etc.
(I AM NOT SAYING THAT EVERYONE WHO IS POORLY PAID DOES NOT DO THESE THINGS)

I would find unpaid overtime unacceptable in low paid menial jobs.

In-between those two poles, there is a spectrum.

Your work ethic is more shamefull than a hard core trades unionist layabout. Share that view with your employer, go on I dare you.

I hope you dont, because people who work unpaid overtime drive down wages and keep other people from getting paid for that work.

Your wage is ALWAYS lower than what you actually bring into the company. Thats how the wage system operates. Your labour is already being exploited unless you have actual control over your work and the profits thereof, being ripped off with unpaid overtime not only furthers your own exploitation, but affects everybody else as well.

Good man Harry. What are you looking for a job in, what is your expertise? Bebboyz@yahoo.com

In the computing area Simon. Ideally programming but I’d make coffee and tea if I thought it would get me in the door somewhere.

Harry consider a relocation to Munich. Lots of well paid IT jobs. German language skills not a pre-requisite. That’s where I am so am speaking from knowledge.

Big 4 as in salary?
No comparison between that and a check out girl.

I think the frustration comes when you work extra and receive absolutely no flexibility as a result. I’m happy to work extra time when needed so long as if something urgent comes up (needed to take a bit longer on a lunch hour one day to see a doctor), my work is a bit understanding.

Nick that’s up to the person to ask the manager, if the manger doesn’t know you want to finish early then they won’t offer it. So many people still see the manager-staff member relationship like a headmaster/headmistress-student relationship. We’re all adults now and I you act like one you’ll be treated like one, if you act like a child and get all grumpy then you’ll be treated like that. Far too many Moaning Michaels and Moaning Michelles on hear that could do with speaking up at work instead of moaning in a comment box.

As the saying goes – if you work for nothing you’ll never be idle.

And you will always find yourself in a low paid job if you do the bare minimum. It’s a personal choice I agree, achieve something or be a drone. Let us know how you get on.

Be careful what you wish for Harry!

You will change your tune pretty quick when you have a job after a while. It is that sort of desperation that employers are abusing so its people like you that make it much harder for the rest of us.

Would it be better I sat on the dole like I am now? I want to work but I don’t want to leave the country. I have my qualifications and limited experience but no good. It would be limited sacrifice to offer an hour a day for a reason to get out of bed in the morning.

It’s a false dichotomy. You don’t have to chose between having no job and having a job whilst forgoing all your rights. You can have both you know. Do you know who I feel bad for? The person who loses out on a job because they are not willing to work a few hours free a day or only take a 5 minute lunch break. We have fought for centuries to improve the rights and conditions for workers and we should be very careful about any attempt to remove these.

I’m not talking a few hours a day. I’m saying that with the economy we are in, with my limited work experience in the relevant sector and with jobs being tightly contended for I would offer an hour a day to show my willingness to work. I understand others do not share the opinion but it’s mine and I stand by it.

Who was it again that asked us all to work an extra unpaid hour every week in the 1980’s to help the country out of recession, oh ye that would Charlie charvais shirts Haughey, who was fleecing every man woman and child in the country dry while he was stocking up his wine cellar and wardrobe. Never ever give away your rights, too many people fought hard for you to enjoy them.

What about rent, taxes, grocery shopping and all those stuffs!

I think that’s why many Irish people are still out of work because they tend to choose work by the rate of pay or even looking to do a job for a higher rate just to accommodate them instead of doing a job just for the sake of having a job rather than being on the dole.
The Eastern European that you’ve just mentioned working 50hrs for €500, are just more intelligent because they know very well about competition and the best way of securing a job rather than sitting at home. Greed is killing the locals and it’s rather sad.

That is one of the biggest problems with the opening of the labour market to nations with a much lower standard of living.

Yes. I agree… But think about businesses for instance… They have to be competitive to survive in the actual economic environment and the cheaper their cost, the higher their profit and hence, the higher income tax and corporation tax being raised for the good of the country, even though I know it’s not enough to be out of the actual situation. But still it’s a help for the government coffer rather than nothing.

@ fotocrat: “The Eastern European that you’ve just mentioned working 50hrs for €500, are just more intelligent because they know very well about competition and the best way of securing a job rather than sitting at home. Greed is killing the locals and it’s rather sad.

You’ve some cheek boy to pass a comment like that on here. ah sure Irish workers too are far more intelligent than Mauritians, how does that sound? not nice is it? but you know something? it does not surprise me, at all. i’ve got this myself many a time from migrants who like to criticise our way of life, amazing and amusing at the same time. Being a doormat for the greedy is not intelligent, nor is this type of employer intelligent. it’s unethical and counter productive i.e you won’t keep staff.

Hey Gobstock, its not about criticising the Irish, the very people that I live and interact with everyday. You’ve got it all wrong…maybe it’s due to your frustrations. You are not to be blamed anyway. Just open your eyes man, what I’ve said is the pure reality unfortunately… If everyone think negatively like you do, you’ll then see worse things happening or the scale of the being just wider.
As for Mauritian/Irish comparisons…thought you could do better. You’ve said nothing compared to what I’ve heard before. Find something else, more intelligent. And don’t forget…..Always think positive Gobstock.

you just said The Eastern European are just more intelligent than us!!!! what more of an insult can you write on here? i’ve noticed your posts on here lately and they’re all negative. you have it all wrong in your head. me negative??? what planet are you on? lose the arrogance ; )

You have a right to opinion which is always welcome Gobstock… Like everyone of us, you have the freedom of speech. Glad you are enjoying it too. And also, you have to be negative when there’s something wrong and positive when something’s good. That’s the whole point behind giving an opinion. It’s either or.
Am sorry if I’ve offended anyone on here. Wasn’t intentional and surely am not against anyone. Just voicing out what’s really happening. Cheers

P.S- I wish to change the word “intelligent” in my first comment above and use “cunning” instead, which I think is more appropriate and less insulting to some.

Its foolishness on these eastern europeans part to do an extra 10hours at just over 1/2 the pay per hour as normal. yes they get an extra 50euros for doing the 10hours but they’d be just as well to get a p/t job that pays the same as their normal rate on their days off.

Ehm Sean, I think you are mistaken in your beliefe that “we celebrate Ryanair”. I dont know anyone who has a good word to say about Ryanair or Michael O’Leary and his attitude and behaviour towards his staff. Mr O’Leary is all about profit and not in the least bit interested in workers rights.

Well I’m not sure with the red thumbs.
Michael O’Learys greatest talent is having most people think they can read him. They are the greatest cheaters and O’Leary and some of his mangers have been criticised in the courts for giving false evidence. He is right up there with Haughey, Quinn, Fitzpatrick and every other cheat this country produced.
And by the way 4 of their aircraft 2 weeks ago declared emergencies in flight for getting low in fuel. Roll on red thumbs. Disbelieve all you like. The journal would be pulling it if it wasn’t true.

do they not get an hourly rate or is it advertised as a yearly salary? I’d want to be on flights to thailand china & australia if i worked for them if thats the case.