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I'm currently working in a temp-to-perm position that's directly through the employer (no agency involved). They said they are doing this to make sure the employee is a good fit and my offer letter says that after a 3-month probationary period is 'successfully completed', my employment may be extended. If extended, I will be a salaried employee, but currently I am paid hourly. Because of this, I am wary about working overtime without asking permission, as I know some companies don't like paying for it and the handbook said to make sure it is approved. Today, instead of just leaving at 5 (my schedule is 8:30-5, half an hour unpaid lunch), I asked the HR manager if she needed me to stay longer to work on things. She said it could wait and that I could go. I don't want to seem eager to leave, but I also don't want to get in trouble for staying later without asking. What would you do in my situation?
I'm currently working in a temp-to-perm position that's directly through the employer (no agency involved). They said they are doing this to make sure the employee is a good fit and my offer letter says that after a 3-month probationary period is 'successfully completed', my employment may be extended. If extended, I will be a salaried employee, but currently I am paid hourly. Because of this, I am wary about working overtime without asking permission, as I know some companies don't like paying for it and the handbook said to make sure it is approved. Today, instead of just leaving at 5 (my schedule is 8:30-5, half an hour unpaid lunch), I asked the HR manager if she needed me to stay longer to work on things. She said it could wait and that I could go. I don't want to seem eager to leave, but I also don't want to get in trouble for staying later without asking. What would you do in my situation?
Sorry for the novel!
You did the right thing by asking. There is a way to leave on top and there is a way that makes it look like you are bolting out the door. If you should stop at 5 PM, for now during your probation period, don't start getting ready to leave until 5 PM, so that you actual leave at 5:05 or 5:10. This way it will show you aren't trying to bolt out the door, because employees that do that have usually stopped working at 4:45PM and are just sitting there purse on the desk or with their coat on looking at the clock to leave exactly at 5 PM.
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Leaving right on the dot every day may look bad if noticed but it's really just clock-watching. Working overtime without being authorized is a violation of company policy, as it is in most places. Even if I have left, my people can text me and ask if they need to stay late, but that would be rare, most of the time I know what the urgent work is and authorize it ahead of time.
You did the right thing by asking. There is a way to leave on top and there is a way that makes it look like you are bolting out the door. If you should stop at 5 PM, for now during your probation period, don't start getting ready to leave until 5 PM, so that you actual leave at 5:05 or 5:10. This way it will show you aren't trying to bolt out the door, because employees that do that have usually stopped working at 4:45PM and are just sitting there purse on the desk or with their coat on looking at the clock to leave exactly at 5 PM.
I disagree with this. If the managers are that blind to your work effort that they think you are cheating them on time by leaving when you are supposed to, then your entire existence at that job comes down to whether or not you are chummy with them.
Make it known to HR and/or the manager in the department, that you're more than willing to work additional hours if needed, but will only do so if directed so you're not working unauthorized hours.
I would start to get ready a few moments before 5pm and leave at 5:00 or a couple of minutes after that. If you leave at 5:10 every day, that's an additional 50 minutes at the end of the week, and that may be perceived poorly.
asking if they needed help after hour allotted 8 hours of work is appropriate....
if they have not interest in paying you for your overtime, leave on the dot. what i did/do is that i'd finish/stop at a good point, and work no more then 15-20 mins past the 8 hour clock. on the other hand, if they pay for the overtime, and say in a week's time a total of like 2 hrs overtime are worked, I should be paid for the extra time.
other than that, once that 8hr/8hr 15 min mark comes around, it's time to shut down and head out the door....just saying....
Definitely the right decision. Erring on the side of caution is smart in this situation! I hope it turns into a permanent position!
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