Bit of advice needed..

[AJ1987]

Hey,

Basically I was employed on a temporary 3 month p/t contract on 24hours a week, on the "hereford" system. Now im 6months into the job, the original 3 month contract turned into a further 3 month contract. Im on a 'Full-time' round covering for the union rep whos been put to work sorting out things in preperation for the revision apparently.

I start 7.30am everyday, 6 days a week My working week is split up like this:
Mon: 4 hours (7.30am - 11.30am)
Tues: 4 hours (7.30am - 11.30am)
Wed: 6 hours (7.30am - 1.30pm)
Thurs: 5 hours (7.30am - 12.30pm)
Friday: 5 hours (7.30am - 12.30pm)
Sat: 4 hours (7.30am - 11.30am).

What I need advice on is this. It's impossible to complete the round within my hours and basically its just been expected of me to prep the round, complete d2d's, re-directions and complete the round and just book in everyday, within reason, the overtime. At first i didnt have a problem with this but now my partner is back in university and we're finding it difficult juggling childcare. I also think I'd be better off just working my 24hours as then I'd be able to get help with my rent and council tax. Another reason is recently the DOM has been trying to pressure me into the overtime i book (i refuse to work for 'free' and even book down my break if I dont take it during my shift) and he's been watching the times I come back to the office etc. Offended me abit to be fair as I've worked pretty hard during my 6month with the company so far. Plus the overtime in my pay has been wrong a fair few times...

So is it reasonable to assume i could just go in monday and say to my manager that I only want to work my 24 contracted hours everyweek and that if im going to go over i dont want the overtime so its either a case of moving me onto a different duty or me cutting off. I dont particularly like confrontation..

Advice?

[Judgee]

You are entitled to only work the hours you are contracted too. However, alot of managers take this as some sort of personal insult if they need you to work over. By all means put your foot down but bare in mind you are on a temporary contract and therefore highly vulnerable. If they don't like you all they have to do is fail to renew it. That's why management like these contracts, they basically have people by the short and curlies! It shitty but that's just the way it is.

[newtimes]

The key point you made is "we're finding it difficult juggling childcare". I have had many issues with RM, I personally have taken many hits. When it came to my child care needs I stood my ground. In my opinion you are in total control of this situation, your kid(s) only grow up once and you have only one chance to be a parent. Decide what you want and when you face up to the manager,have an image of your family unit in your head, that will keep you strong and focus.

[AJ1987]

I agree its a risk only working the contracted 24 hours that contract won't be renewed. Then again tbh only earning 200 a week working 6 days a week probably be better off on the dole!