overtime pay

[julesw1803]

if i work over my contracted hours of employment, am i entitled to be paid or do i have to take it as lieu time if my employer requests it ? i thought i was entitled to be paid for all the hours i worked.

[CheekyChops]

You don't have to be paid for it, we don't get paid overtime where I work - we get time off in lieu instead. Saying that, you don't have to work it!

[julesw1803]

Thanks for answering, i understand that i dont HAVE to work the overtime, but if i do, LEGALLY am i entitled to pay? i.e. ok ill do the overtime, but i want pay not lieu !

[CheekyChops]

No you are not legally entitled to be paid. If you know in advance that you are not going to be paid yet still do the overtime, that's your problem. See this:

Overtime pay
There's no legal right to pay for working extra hours, and there are no minimum statutory levels of overtime pay, although your average pay rate must not fall below the National Minimum Wage. Your contract of employment should include details of overtime pay rates and how they're worked out.

See here for more info: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employment/Employe es/WorkingHoursAndTimeOff/DG_10028439

[waster]

Best to sort it out with your employer BEFORE you do any extra work.

If you are salaried, then they may "expect" you to work over to "get the job done", which is an occasional thing and one wouldn't normally expect to get paid for it. If, however, you are working long overtime hours regularly then you should speak to your line manager about it. If they don't want to pay it, then yu don't have to work it! Employment is a two way street you know!

[julesw1803]

thanks cheekychops for your info, much appreciated.cheers jules