Generally speaking overtime is a bad idea. That's why labour laws and collective agreements require employers to pay time and a half or double time for overtime work. Its a "penalty" to discourage employers from having workers do overtime.
Of course there are times where there are genuine "emergencies" that may require overtime but in most cases I don't think overtime work is generated by emergencies. In most cases in my experience its just bad work planning by management or short staffing.
What's even worse these days is the amount of "unpaid" overtime...folks who skip breaks, lunch or eat lunch at their desks while working...folks who stay after hours just to get that last little bit of work done. I bet lots of folks on this board are guilty of this. I know that I am.
Medical workers work some absolutely insane hours. Its a wonder some of them are able to stand up sometimes.
And I think the overall trend the last couple of decades has been towards an increase in working hours. If you look at voluntary or community organizations, most of them are starved these days for people. People don't have the time and when they get home they're just too damned tired and burnt out to do anything else.
The thought was half a century ago that automation etc. would eventually lead to increased productivity, decreased work time and increased leisure time. In actual fact people are working harder for less.
Its no wonder that folks who see the opportunity to make extra money through overtime end up doing it.
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posted 30 May 2005 08:03 PM
