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What to expect when you’re expecting overtime

Can you ask salaried employees to work reasonable additional hours and what constitutes as *reasonable*? Is it actually a case of *too bad, so sad* OR are there legit rules you need to abide by? Our resident expert, Lisa has some answers.

Employees can be asked to work reasonable overtime, however, to be considered as *reasonable* the following must be considered:

  • Any risk to health and safety from working the extra hours.
  • The employee’s personal situation, including their family responsibilities.
  • The workplace’s needs.
  • If the employee is entitled to receive overtime payments or penalty rates for working the extra hours
  • If they are paid at a higher rate on the understanding that they work some overtime.
  • If the employee was given enough notice that they may have to work overtime.
  • If the employee has already stated, they can’t ever work overtime.
  • The usual patterns of work in the industry.

An employee can refuse to work overtime if the request is unreasonable.

Do you need some help to get your head around *reasonable* additional hours? Contact Lisa on (07) 4638 3599.