Each month, our Advocates answer your questions about workplace challenges, the AD 10 policies and how they’re applied. Questions? Submit them anonymously here. These questions will be answered in a monthly advocacy corner issue. For an immediate answer, please contact APSA.
Hello, I'm Michael Peragine, an advocate on APSA's Advocacy Committee. On behalf of the Committee, I'm answering your question related to overtime.
I've been asked to work overtime by my direct supervisor. So far, I've accumulated over 100 hours this year, and I'm on track to work even more overtime.
I understand why, as my department has some very tight deadlines and my whole team pitches in, but when I asked for time in lieu, my supervisor refused. My supervisor says that APSA members must be flexible in their work and work overtime. What can I do?
Although there seems to be an unspoken understanding that APSA members work overtime without compensation, this is incorrect.
If the culture in your department is that working overtime is required, your department is in violation of the Work Schedules policy (See AD 10.13 Section 3.03 and 3.04). If your department has a set amount of overtime per week without pay or expects you to work substantial amounts of overtime, they are misinterpreting the policy.
APSA members are entitled to reasonable compensating time away from the workplace for extra hours worked. If you're working significant amounts of overtime, it is your right to request time in lieu, and that request should be accommodated.
Your first step should be to have a conversation with your supervisor, establish expectations on workload, how your overtime is tracked, and what would is reasonable compensation. If a compromise can't be reached, please contact APSA.
Resources
http://www.apsacentral.ca/news-item/advocacy-corner-time-lieu
http://www.apsacentral.ca/news-item/advocacy-corner-time-lieu-part-2