Working time directive - opt in or out.

[AverageJoe]

Hi all, I know this is a personal decision but being new to the role I don’t really understand how my decision could impact me once in the role.

Anyone have any experience with this and offer any advice?

I’m soon to be a trainee if I pass the medical and this has come up as part of me enrolment choices.

Thanks.

 

[iwasyoungonce]

If you opt out of WTD (48 hours a week) you can work overtime/extra shifts plus you can opt back in at any time

 

[Bletchleyite]

Not on the railway but I have always opted out because I don't see the point in the extra admin when my employer does not take the mick on such things.

If I didn't feel I trusted my employer not to pressure me to work excessively, I would not opt out.

 

[AverageJoe]

If you opt out of WTD (48 hours a week) you can work overtime/extra shifts plus you can opt back in at any time

If you opt out does that mean they can give you a standard working week longer than others?

I don’t want to be turning up to a 45 hour week and some of my colleagues are work 35 hour weeks for example.

Obviously it makes sense to me to leave the option for overtime there, but I don’t want to end up regretting that decision if I end up feeling overly worked on the average week.

 

[the sniper]

If you opt out does that mean they can give you a standard working week longer than others?

It's irrelevant to that.

I don’t want to be turning up to a 45 hour week and some of my colleagues are work 35 hour weeks for example.

You'll be doing that regardless, particularly if you work somewhere with committed Sundays. It all averages out eventually though.

 

[iwasyoungonce]

In most industries overtime is voluntary you don't have to accept it (cant comment on rail tho)

 

[Grannyjoans]

If you work somewhere where Sundays are Committed but outside the working week, you will be working 45 hours a week anyway on some weeks with not really much choice of doing any less.

 

[Dieseldriver]

In most industries overtime is voluntary you don't have to accept it (cant comment on rail tho)

For Traincrew overtime can be enforced. For example, if you are 8 hours spare on the roster and you get allocated a 9 hour running turn, as long as it fits within the parameters of your companies spare turn conditions, you can’t refuse that extra hours overtime.

 

[chaser]

Because of shifts you'll end up working long weeks followed by shorter weeks. It's just averaging 35hrs per week. I'm rostered for 40hrs but I do 50 some weeks.

 

[AverageJoe]

Thanks for the help guys.

So is the general consensus to opt out and then manage one’s own time?

 

[chaser]

Thanks for the help guys.

So is the general consensus to opt out and then manage one’s own time?

Opt out. They'll manage it with the pattern as Sundays are inside and overtime will be up to you to some extent.

 

[AverageJoe]

Opt out. They'll manage it with the pattern as Sundays are inside and overtime will be up to you to some extent.

Thanks pal

 

[T-Karmel]

Opt out. They'll manage it with the pattern as Sundays are inside and overtime will be up to you to some extent.

I'd say the same.

You might actually be happy with the roster working 50 hrs in one week, and then have entire week off in another week.

And if you won't feel like working that many hours in one week, you may still use your annual leave to break it for a day, but you'll still keep that longer time off in another week that is part of your roster anyway.

If you're a Trainee for a TOC you'll get a roster for very long time and you can plan 1 year ahead, often even for couple of years ahead.

 

[AverageJoe]

I opted to stay in, the reason being you can change your mind instantly, however if you opt out you need to give 3 months notice before opting back in. Figured I can see how it goes and change my mind if I need to.

 

[whoosh]

Hello @SLee

To reassure you, and anyone else reading the thread.

There was a similar question a while ago from someone taking a Conductor position, so I'll refer you to my response to that here:

Working Time Directive - New entrant

Apologies if this sounds like a stupid question! I have accepted a conductor role and am completing my new entrant paperwork. There is a form to opt out of the working time directive and I am unsure as to whether to sign this. I am new to the railway and would be appreciative of a little...

www.railforums.co.uk

Emphasis on the "you will not be thought of unfavourablably to you remain opted in."
This isn't some security guard agency where your basic week is 48 hours, and they'd like you to cover more shifts often, on top. It's the railway, and even with committed Sunday overtime (if your TOC deals with Sundays that way), you could still CHOOSE to work a fair amount of overtime on top and still not break the Working Time Directive.
If you were in danger of breaking it, they'd have to tell you and start turning you down for overtime - in which case, if you're that desperate/motivated you choose to opt out.

I'm a Driver, haven't opted out, and have worked over a day a week's overtime on average in a year (including Sundays - outside the working week where I am) and haven't triggered it. And I'm not an overtime king.

Best of luck with your new job.

 

[AverageJoe]

Hello @SLee

To reassure you, and anyone else reading the thread.

There was a similar question a while ago from someone taking a Conductor position, so I'll refer you to my response to that here:

Working Time Directive - New entrant

Apologies if this sounds like a stupid question! I have accepted a conductor role and am completing my new entrant paperwork. There is a form to opt out of the working time directive and I am unsure as to whether to sign this. I am new to the railway and would be appreciative of a little...

www.railforums.co.uk

Emphasis on the "you will not be thought of unfavourablably to you remain opted in."
This isn't some security guard agency where your basic week is 48 hours, and they'd like you to cover more shifts often, on top. It's the railway, and even with committed Sunday overtime (if your TOC deals with Sundays that way), you could still CHOOSE to work a fair amount of overtime on top and still not break the Working Time Directive.
If you were in danger of breaking it, they'd have to tell you and start turning you down for overtime - in which case, if you're that desperate/motivated you choose to opt out.

I'm a Driver, haven't opted out, and have worked over a day a week's overtime on average in a year (including Sundays - outside the working week where I am) and haven't triggered it. And I'm not an overtime king.

Best of luck with your new job.

Thanks pal