In today’s competitive job market, it’s not uncommon for employers to expect a certain level of dedication from their employees. However, when this expectation crosses the line into unpaid overtime, it can leave job seekers feeling uncomfortable and even questioning their own reactions. This was the case for one Redditor who recently shared their experience of walking out of an interview after being asked about unpaid overtime. But was their reaction justified? We spoke to industry experts to find out.
According to a report by the Trade Union Congress, UK employers claimed £26 billion of free labour last year through unpaid overtime and employees working on their lunch breaks. This staggering figure highlights the widespread issue of unpaid overtime in the workplace. So, it’s no surprise that a Redditor felt the urge to “walk out” of an interview after their potential employer mentioned unpaid overtime upfront.
The original poster (OP) shared their experience on r/jobs, writing, “I walked out of an interview after just one question. Still not sure if I overreacted.” The question that triggered their reaction was about their feelings towards unpaid overtime. The OP explained that the interview was going well until this point, but they felt blindsided by the question.
When they asked why the interviewer wanted to know, they were told that some degree of overtime was “expected” among the company’s employees to show “dedication.” This comment put the OP off, and they decided to walk out of the interview then and there. However, they were unsure if their reaction was fair.
We spoke to Neil Ormesher, CEO of Accounts and Legal, to get his professional opinion on the matter. “I don’t think the interviewee is in the wrong here,” he tells us. “Healthy employer-employee relationships are built on trust and mutual respect, so from a personal standpoint, I don’t think the OP overreacted.”
Ormesher explains that employers have the right to define expectations, just as employees have the right to accept or reject terms. However, he also points out that demanding extra work to show dedication should not be a requirement. “An employee should only have to agree to the contract provided – not an unwritten ‘rule’,” he says.
From a legal standpoint, employers are required to keep records of employee working hours to comply with the Working Time Regulations 1998 statutory instrument under UK labour law. Therefore, the employer’s comment about not tracking hours is concerning. “Ultimately, interviews are meant to help both parties gauge how well a proposition suits them, and in this case, the terms laid out are not mutually agreeable,” Ormesher adds.
This situation raises an important question – should job seekers be expected to work unpaid overtime to show dedication? The answer is no. While it’s understandable for employers to want dedicated employees, it should not come at the cost of their time and effort. Unpaid overtime can lead to burnout, decreased productivity, and even legal issues.
So, what should job seekers do if they are faced with a similar situation in an interview? Ormesher advises, “It’s always best to be honest and upfront about your expectations and boundaries. If the employer’s expectations do not align with yours, it’s better to find out during the interview process rather than after you’ve accepted the job.”
It’s also essential for employers to be transparent about their expectations and policies regarding overtime. This will help job seekers make an informed decision about whether the job is the right fit for them. As Ormesher says, “Employers should not expect employees to work unpaid overtime as a sign of dedication. Dedication should be shown through quality work and meeting deadlines within regular working hours.”
In conclusion, the Redditor’s reaction to the question about unpaid overtime was not an overreaction. It’s essential for job seekers to know their rights and boundaries when it comes to working hours and overtime. Employers should also be mindful of their employees’ well-being and not expect them to work unpaid overtime as a sign of dedication. After all, a healthy and mutually beneficial employer-employee relationship is built on trust and respect, not on unpaid labour.
