[Question] Above threshold overtime

[Hendrivj]

Earning above threshold, certain conditions does not apply to you from what I have gathered, overtime etc. My question is what is reasonable for the employer to expect in terms of hours worked? Example : you work 45 hours from Monday to Friday, then there is also expected that you must work after specified hours and on weekends and public holidays without compensation.

[HR Solutions]

How old are you ? What profession ? How many hours overtime are you working at the moment ?

[Dave A]

Earning above threshold, certain conditions does not apply to you from what I have gathered, overtime etc.

I take it you are referring to the Basic Conditions of Employment Act. If so, then -

My question is what is reasonable for the employer to expect in terms of hours worked? Example : you work 45 hours from Monday to Friday, then there is also expected that you must work after specified hours and on weekends and public holidays without compensation.

The first place to look is at your employment contract. What does it say exactly?

[Hendrivj]

Dave A - Yes I am reffering to the bcea. In the contract it states overtime will be worked from time to time.

HR Solutions - I am 27 working in electronic security systems. For the month of April I have already worked 32 hours overtime. I have been working in the industry going on 11 years now

[HR Solutions]

Its a tough one - My daughter is a lawyer and sometimes works a 55-60 hour week. She will reap the rewards at a later stage.

Being in the security industry you might very well be exploited. I would certainly clarify it with your employer.

[Greig Whitton]

I would certainly clarify it with your employer.

˄ This.

If push comes to shove, it's worth noting that Section 7 of the BCEA ("Regulation of Working Time") applies to all employers regardless of their employees' seniority or remuneration. Therefore, excessive overtime that compromises an employee's health, safety, and/or family responsibilities isn't lawful even if the employee earns more than the threshold.

[Dave A]

In the contract it states overtime will be worked from time to time.

Yes, this is perfectly normal. However, what does it say about how this overtime worked will be treated?

For example, some contracts will say no extra payment for overtime will be made, but the time can be accumulated and taken as leave.
Some will talk to "reasonable" overtime that shall be unpaid, in which case you want to talk to management about what is "reasonable".
(Probably need to do that anyway if it's getting out of hand).