How Much More Can A Company Push You?

[Ogri750]

Apologies for my abscence lately but have been working hard and haven't had too much time.

As we approach summer, the Ministry of Labour has issued the usual decree on working outside between the hours of 12:30 and 15:30 (as in, you can't generally).

Whilst this is widely accepted as the norm, and you plan work that wouldn't involve people being in the direct sun, my wonderful main contractor has had a startling brainwave.

Let's start work at 03:30 and finish at 12:30. Oh wonderful, just as most people would be getting ready to go out for the evening, I will be trying to go to sleep, and if I am lucky, I might get to see my wife for an hour a day for the next 3 months.

Methinks a new job might be sought.......especially after the rest of the rubbish they have been giving us

[pamela0810]

That sounds terrible! Hope these 3 months go by swiftly and hope you find a new job soon! Sending you my best wishes!

[Jynxgirl]

I am sorry Ogri (not sure what field you work in) but I dont understand why alot of the construction work isnt done in the middle of the night. ?? Where I am from its quite hot and most of the work is now done at night to keep workers out of the heat of the day.

It does seem like a much better option for most of the workers as they are let off between the 1 to 4 hour but have no where to go. They are layed about all over the outdoors of my apartment (they were inside sleeping in hallways until this past weekend when we got a door person) sleeping under trees for that period as its not worth shipping them back to their labour camps. The lucky ones who have received a shared apartment (the manager guys) do not take the lot of them inside their apartment in the building. It is bloody hot outside. I feel so sorry for those guys have an afternoon siesta in this weather.

Sorry for you your hardship with the matter.

[Felixtoo2]

Have you ever worked nightshifts Jynx? Not something I wish on anyone and certainly a work pattern that shortens ones life expectancy. Good luck Ogri, I hope your boss comes to his senses!!

[Ogri750]

The problem with this is that it isn't a proper night shift (which I have done before) or a day shift.

Staring at 3.30am means getting up at 2:00am, then finshing at 12:30pm will mean I get home around 2:00pm. To get up at 2:00am will mean going to bed around 8:00pm at the latest.

Now, with my wife working and the kids out doing stuff with their friends means that for the next 3 months I may as well forget trying to have a family life.

Best thing, the "office staff" (which includes procurement, engineering etc) are still doing normal hours, so trying to arrange meetings, review information etc will be a logistical nightmare

[Jynxgirl]

Originally Posted by Felixtoo2

Have you ever worked nightshifts Jynx? Not something I wish on anyone and certainly a work pattern that shortens ones life expectancy. Good luck Ogri, I hope your boss comes to his senses!!

Yes. A pretty bad one with a very long drive that adds about 4 hours onto a 12 hour shift. I work it currently.

I can understand that its weird hours for having a family but I can not imagine having to work outside in this heat and worse having an afternoon 'break' where the worker workers have no where to go but still be out in the high temp of the days. Not a good thing for Ogri but for the workers is a much better option. Would be even better if they would make it a real night schedule.

[Shinjuku]

Originally Posted by Jynxgirl

Not a good thing for Ogri but for the workers is a much better option. Would be even better if they would make it a real night schedule.

You can expect they will have the same concerns/issues as Ogri.
Even for a single person, what sort of social life would they have? Finishing work in the mid-day heat means the only place to hang out after work are malls, and they won't be able to just sit outdoors on the grass chilling out with friends.

Its likely going to screw up meal times as well, bearing in mind Ramadan is approaching.

Don't know what industry you do either, but my guess is Ogri is in construction. And working nights on a construction site is not the same as being in an office. Sitework is dangerous enough by day, so consider what's it like at night.

[titirangi]

IMO it always boils down to the old cliche comply or leave. On a number of occasions I have seen this resulting in a relaxation of policy/approach however until you decide (and announce) to walk there is little that can be done. With rent cheque obligations etc it can be a bit challenging to rationalize this decision though.

With fresh scars from previous projects I am approaching the latest with a more intensive management of stakeholder expectations. The Sheik can say what he wants/expects, the project has the obligation to state what is possible and then deliver it. This includes work/life balance to mitigate risk of key resources leaving plus safety and security concerns increasing project risk exposure.

The other less acceptable approach (professionally) is the "let it fail". Sometimes the only way to influence things is for failure (preferably controlled) to drive change in the process. This could be as subtle as sleeping in or as dramatic as missing a key milestone. Not a recommended approach!

For me (with young family) this would be khalas, time to go. Time with family is short enough - not about to trade that precious treasure for a few measly dirhams

[Maz25]

Originally Posted by titirangi

The other less acceptable approach (professionally) is the "let it fail". Sometimes the only way to influence things is for failure (preferably controlled) to drive change in the process. This could be as subtle as sleeping in or as dramatic as missing a key milestone. Not a recommended approach!

The term "liquidated damages" come to mind! To allow a Project to fail is career suicide. At best, the Client will ask for you to be removed from the Project and at worst, your Company will decide that you are a liability and let you go.
Particularly, when dealing with Sheikhs, failure is not something that is willingly accepted. Pride then comes into play and then it turns into one big political mess.

My approach is to offer options and then slowly push them in the right direction. Where pride is concerned, people seem more willing to accept changes when you make them think that it is their own, brilliant idea.

@Ogri - Sorry to hear that mate. Construction is hard enough at the best of times, without the added stress on your family life. I've been doing some ridiculous hours lately as well but my task list only seems to be getting bigger. I really can't imagine the stress that such ridiculous hours would cause.

[titirangi]

Originally Posted by Maz25

people seem more willing to accept changes when you make them think that it is their own, brilliant idea.

.

Absolutely. Its almost like you have to spell out the solution without spelling out the solution so they get full credit for resolution. It is quite an art.

And your comment re slowly pushing in the right direction is a good lesson for all. I have learnt the hard way that it takes 3-4 meetings for the penny to drop. You need to be patient and let it happen according to the will.

Good luck to you Ogri.