There’s no such thing as a 9-to-5 job anymore. According to a new Gallup poll, on average, employed Americans actually work 47 hours a week, not the widely regarded standard of 40.
Nearly four-in-ten workers say they work 50 or more hours a week, and 18 percent worker 60 or more. Read more at Gallup.
{Andy Heller-Matzav.com Newscenter}
Question is, how many work LESS than 40 hours a week?
One part of the Dream of Herzl was a 7 hour workday
That part was dropped somehow
You can add your transit time and forced dress preparation too. Adds up and cuts away from living hours.
And how many people actually get paid for that extra 7 hours? Employers use all kinds of dodges to get out of that extra pay. Listing employees fraudulently as “independent contractors.” is one. Or listing them as “exempt” (i.e. managerial) when they aren’t. The simplest, of course, is just to cheat. Make that 7 hours “off the books” (or the employee gets replaced for not cooperating). And of course there’s paying the employee off the books entirely.
In this economy the employer has the upper hand, and if filing a complaint means losing your job, how many employees will file?
I agree with Oldtimer. Your right. I work in a retail store (I’m at work right now) and stay late kimaat every night. I don’t get paid for the extra hours I put in. That’s supposed to be part of the job. Service the costumers even at the expense of my own Family and time. I plead to the costumers: Don’t come in to a store less than a half hour before closing. Even though we smile and treat you courteously, it comes many times at the cost of Davening Mincha after the Zman or even Biyechidus! It means I miss eating supper with my Family. It means not seeing my younger children before they go to sleep. It means coming late for a close Family Simcha. We are not shmattas. You had a whole day to come. Please respect our lives as well. In my humble opinion you are Oiver Lifnei Evair by coming into a store late. Your saying “oh I’m so sorry for keeping you late” just doesn’t cut it.