Employers want too much

Well you're boss probably has a better grasp of the English language than you, presumably that is how he has managed to better himself and make a decent living. Don't ruin it for him by being a typical dumbass employee and slating him on a public website... Moron!

I hate my boss he is a right prat and owns a a run down scrapyard but think that because his got money he can talk to you the way he likes.

This is a no brainer as far as I am concerned, why should anybody work additional hours for no pay ? If your bosses were asked to supply their products and services to another business for nothing they wiuld be the first to withdraw. Time is money, if your asked to work it is your right to say no, it is also your right to agree if you actually wish to work and for what rate of pay.

Bullying in the workplace is a victorian practice and has no place in this day and age, I would never expect my staff tpo work extra hours for no pay why should they?

For those who are working additional hours for nothing I would suggest that you get a consensus in your workplace and then form a united front to tackle these managers or bosses.

Hi Unions are Needed,

I think this Taffy fella does not exist or, if he does it only be right here. It's a wind-up and he's not real.

Have you ever met a stupid person like TaffyQuad before? I expect not. TaffyQuad works for his/her employer 70hrs a week. Are hey out of their mind? Why isn't 35-40 hours per weeek paying them a sufficient wage. Does TaffyQuad know that 70hrs a week is actually breaking the law? As well as damaging their physical and mental health? Does TaffyQuad have a life outside of work?

Taffy Quad lives in the days before the Tolpuddle Martyrs

This braindead DaffyDuck says

"I work for a company that does not have trade unions - we don't need them in the particular industy I work in."

Are this jerk out of its mind? All workers need Trade Unions. All workers need proper representation. If you do not have this you WILL be exploited. Your exployer will have no compunction at doing this. It is the shame of thsi country that its workers and citizens do not have adequate economic protection and representation, both in government, local government and the workplace.

What kind of industry bans/fails to have Trade Unions?

Doctors are represented. Solicitors/barristers are represented.
Steel workers are represented. All kinds of workers are represented.

I cannot see whatever work you do justifies having no trade unions.

Employers are indeed taking more and more liberties with their staff. And one thing that many of YOU are doing is playing directly into their hands by sacrificing your lunch breaks. Grabbing a sandwich on the run or going without food entirely is something that employers are bound to latch onto (if they havent already) and start attempting to remove all references to lunchbreaks in new people's contracts. You might all be young now and capable of missing the odd meal or two, BUT it has a serious accumulative effect on your health. And yes, things will return to Victorian times unless workers start to stand up for themselves. I understand that the fear of losing one's job is what the employer/company uses to keep control over it's staff......but if your working life is really getting to your nerves, sanity and peace of mind, then it's time to get out.

If you want something out of life you need to put a lot in. You can achieve anything you want from life - it just depends on how much you really want it. Work life balance - it is about being assertive and saying no occaisionally. I work for a company that does not have trade unions - we don't need them in the particular industy I work in. I can some times work 70hrs a week - becasue I want to - not becuase my company demands it. I can't remember when I ever worked just the regulated hours. To be honest - if you don't get a director's salary don't work director's hours. Remind your boss about the illegality of "constructive dismissal" And if your really fed up, leav - get out - it will be their loss and your gain.

I am with Mr Trade Union on this one. We have had 20 years where union power has essentially been disabled by (Tory) legislation, although Labour has done nothing to restore it either.

Inevitably as the years go by more employers are trying to "Get away" with more and more.

As this is on the increase going back to Using unions MUST be one of the way forwards.

BUT also be careful about where you buy things from. By this I mean the Far East where any kind of worker protection is Non-Existent. In the end They will try to bring those practices back to Britain. This will then be the modern equivalent of the Victorian mills, mining and workhouses. Thousands fought and had to die to get these thing abolished. Are you really wanting to give your protection away to this type of "employer?"

I have a good job which pays well and I always only do the hours I'm contracted to do, I have breaks when ever I like.

M manager asked if I could do some overtime and I said at what rate of pay and he said the same to which I said no way, A week later he asked again and I said double pay or no way so he said ok to double pay but don't mention it to the other staff who stay on.

So when I see all the suckers who work the extra 3 hours with me and I know I'm getting paid double makes me smile because they all get the basic rate.

I do think if you're contracted to work certain hours you should work them. As you say, giving some extra here and there is ok. Working all hours is not.

If your company appreciated your input they would reward you for it by paying you more. That, after all, is why we work.

If an employer starts to expect you to work hours over and above what you're contracted to, then do keep a note of times, dates and yes, record the "meetings", especially if they've no pre-defined agenda.

ACAS see such things as bullying. If they were to dismiss you on those grounds contact a solicitor and take the company to court.

IT Minky,

sounds to me like 'extracting the urine'. Your 'terms and conditions' are being abused and you should try and do something about it. At least put in for a pay rise! You may enjoy your job, but to be taken advantage of to such a degree . . . well, your employers must be laughing!

My contracting hours are 0830-1640
I am in the office for 0800 and generally leave at about 1830.
I tend to have lunch on the run, maybe grab a sandwich.

Last week I was in the office one "evening" until 0430 and the week before about til 2330. Last night I got called back in at 1930 til 2330

Why.... well I work in IT.

I have to be at my desk during the day for the (L)users, and then when the excrement hits the fan I have to sort it out. Generally all network support is doen out of hours and, yes, we don't get paid extra for this time.
And our contract says "...due to the natureof your position it may be necessary to work additional hours"

Now what is classed as additional hours and what is extracting the urine?

And, NO, I am not highly paid, certainly no overtime.

But I do enjoy my job...................not too sure that my wife and 6 week old son do though