I am a medical writer in a large company writing up clinical trials for big Pharma. I am 8 months into my contract with this company and the overtime policy has always been a grey area – can never get a straight answer on what the actual policy is.
Two months ago I did a 16 hour day as there was a deadline we had to meet (8 hours overtime, received 4 hours recovery time back)… bad enough that we only get 50% time back, ridiculous.
Today I was told that for another 16 hour day I did a few weeks ago I am to get NO TIME back because apparently you only get time in lieu if you work 'consistent overtime on a regular basis' – 'regular' defined by senior management. WTF.
I notified them that this will be the last time I work overtime and they will have to find additional resource to meet those deadlines. Had I have known this policy beforehand I wouldn't have worked extra in the first place. Apparently it is written in our contract that we may need to work additional hours to meet deadlines…. funny, I have a personal policy that says I am not to work for free under any circumstances!