Overtime

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myaudream

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Why is it that software companies do not pay overtime to developers?

Scenario: I say I will complete task A by date X.
In the middle of completing task A another staff member leaves so I need to do his work task B as well yet they still expect me not to miss task A's deadline.
Then maintenance support guy quits and I have to do all support issues as well still having to keep set deadlines.
I tried to renegotiate deadlines so I have no choice to work overtime otherwise clients get angry.
The staff turnover at my company is understandably very high as this overtime thing has become the norm not the exception.
I just recently joined so don't want it to look bad on my CV staying a short time at the company and job hopping so I am stuck between a rock and a hard place.
 
There are laws revolving around how much you are paid. If it is above a threshold you are not entitled to overtime, if your below that and you feel you are getting milked. Decline or ask for pay, they can not actually fire you.
 
Tell them in friendly words to go fly a kite. I have seen this happen before.. and I would seriously think about other job if they continue with it. (And 99% chance it will continue).
 
Agreed. There are plenty of opportunities out there that do involve overtime pay (or even better, no overtime). You will be used for as long as you let it happen.

Of course, the other option, if you choose to accept it, is not to make the deadline. This option requires that you keep track of everything you do, along with timing, so it is not the attractive option. however, it may serve to show that you can't handle everything.

I'd choose the former. I have done in the past, and I would again.
 
The current threshold for overtime is R172,000 PA - if you earn less than that you are legally entitled to overtime.

However, I am in software development myself and have always been able to negotiate something. Either its a day off for the extra hours worked or in the last case I told my employer that my overtime was affecting my relationship - so the company sent both of us to a SPA for a day.

The main thing is to look at your employment contract you signed. Based on the high staff turn over at your company I can imagine the environment you are in and have been in the same situation. There comes a time when you put your CV online and look for greener pastures else where. I also find that the bigger the company, the more open they are to pay overtime when its required and asked for.
 
myaudream said:
Why is it that software companies do not pay overtime to developers?

Scenario: I say I will complete task A by date X.
In the middle of completing task A another staff member leaves so I need to do his work task B as well yet they still expect me not to miss task A's deadline.
Then maintenance support guy quits and I have to do all support issues as well still having to keep set deadlines.
I tried to renegotiate deadlines so I have no choice to work overtime otherwise clients get angry.
The staff turnover at my company is understandably very high as this overtime thing has become the norm not the exception.
I just recently joined so don't want it to look bad on my CV staying a short time at the company and job hopping so I am stuck between a rock and a hard place.
Click to expand...

With everyone resigning, maybe it's a sign and you should think about that.

If you are a developer, I wouldn't be concerned about "Job hopping", its IT, that's how it goes, but with regards to overtime, have a look at the BCEA for guidance on overtime eligibility
 
Raithlin said:
Of course, the other option, if you choose to accept it, is not to make the deadline. This option requires that you keep track of everything you do, along with timing, so it is not the attractive option. however, it may serve to show that you can't handle everything.
QUOTE]

The only problem is you screw yourself at the end of the day... they'll be "you missed deadline" even if you show them.. bad increase etc. Seen it happen
Click to expand...
 
Yeah, working for a company like that is difficult. Try talking to your boss first at least. Give them a chance to know that the workload is unsustainable so that they have an opportunity to rectify the situation. If nothing comes of that/ they imply that you aren't a team player or any bull like that then get your CV out there ASAP.
 
Just don't work the over time..... you have be strong and break each task into manhours, not a dead line.. and as resources are subtracted or added the dead line will move.. but the manhours should remain the same...
 
greggpb said:
Just don't work the over time..... you have be strong and break each task into manhours, not a dead line.. and as resources are subtracted or added the dead line will move.. but the manhours should remain the same...
Click to expand...

If it only worked this way. Generally what happens is the resources decrease but the deadline does shift.
 
More devils advocacy here: If the problem is that they have had huge staff turnover lately it could be a temporary problem. Mention to the boss that you will do what needs to be done over the short term but that it isn't sustainable. Hopefully if they are decent they will reward your dedication and in a company with a lot of staff turnover promotion opportunities come around more often. If it turns out that they start abusing your good faith and these conditions don't improve then update your CV.
 
Its the same for graphic designers, finish a job at 4:30... You'll be forced to start a new job which could take you up to 3 hours... This is a daily thing.

Because the boss charges certain rates for turnaround time, same day, 1 day, 2 days, and if you dare tell him you can not finish this job today, he'll be pissed, cause it affects the pricing and now you have to take up the "normal" hours time in the morning to work on this, which increase the time spent on the job, while you couldve worked on something else.

When you look for another job, please avoid companies that charge same day delivery ;-)
 
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encrypted said:
There are laws revolving around how much you are paid. If it is above a threshold you are not entitled to overtime, if your below that and you feel you are getting milked. Decline or ask for pay, they can not actually fire you.
Click to expand...

I can refuse even if its in my contract that I will work overtime if required.
Is it one of those reasonable situations?
 
You can just work your 8 - 5 if thats what your contract requires of you... If you can't handle the hours, let the deadlines slip and warn them first (in writing) that you won't be making the deadlines due to A B C etc. They will be more willing if you do that, try chat to Human Resources as well if your company has an HR department.
 
Like others have mentioned .. you need toy grow up a bit... its a business relationship.. do it in writting... negotiate... if they want you to worko overtime they gotta mek it count for you to... you are sacraficing for the company.. so they need to sacrifice for you.. as they have the bigger upside..
 
Ask to be moved on a contract basis so you are paida rate per hour if they continue to expect you to do work overtime.
If they are not willing quit and offer your services on a contract basis.

Then you gain financially if you have to charge overtime and they have more incentive not to do make you work long hours.
If you change to a per hour contract basis you will lose leave days and public holidays so you have to charge more per hour than you are currently getting.
 
once upon a time I was working at a place.

My work got changed I could never meet deadlines unless I worked 'til 2 in the morning at home & return to work at normal hours.

After 2 months I went to ''Main manager'' for my dept, skipping my manager & said he needed to look at my work. He said she should I said no HE must left it at that.

A week later nothing had changed except I started working only my paid hours. I asked for half day off on the friday. He asked if my work will be done. My answer: No, & even if you don't give me time off it still won't be done as I have for the last few days only done working hours.

He said fine take it. I did. Returning on the monday i realised that people had been into my stuff. I said nothing & carried on.

I was called an hour later. I was informed that x, y, z, work will be taken & redistributed to people I knew had a small work load.

Finally I could meet my deadlines in normal hours again, but I was not popular. I could live with that ;)
 
ChilliGirl said:
once upon a time I was working at a place.

My work got changed I could never meet deadlines unless I worked 'til 2 in the morning at home & return to work at normal hours.

After 2 months I went to ''Main manager'' for my dept, skipping my manager & said he needed to look at my work. He said she should I said no HE must left it at that.

A week later nothing had changed except I started working only my paid hours. I asked for half day off on the friday. He asked if my work will be done. My answer: No, & even if you don't give me time off it still won't be done as I have for the last few days only done working hours.

He said fine take it. I did. Returning on the monday i realised that people had been into my stuff. I said nothing & carried on.

I was called an hour later. I was informed that x, y, z, work will be taken & redistributed to people I knew had a small work load.

Finally I could meet my deadlines in normal hours again, but I was not popular. I could live with that ;)
Click to expand...
and then you started posting regularly here ... and so are the days of this forum's online lives.
 
zaozzie said:
and then you started posting regularly here ... and so are the days of this forum's online lives.
Click to expand...
Hahaha,

if you look I've posted more in the last week (no prizes for guessing why :p) than I have in the previous 2 months.

& no I don't work for a boss.... I am the boss ;)

(things have changed since back then)
 
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