Attending trade shows / Time off in lieu

[leftthenright]

I need some advice.

Starting from next month, I will be promoting brands I represent under one company at different expos across England. I started work earlier this month, and this would be my first time doing trade shows or travelling for work. We have six expos booked so far this summer and two of them are next month. I am really looking forward to it.

I am contracted for 40 hours a week from Monday to Friday, which works out as 8 hours each day with 1 hour of paid lunch. The hours and days of work are in accordance with the needs of the business and as agreed, of course.

It states in my contract:
"If any work-related travel outside the usual place of work (including overseas) is required, then the appropriately calculated travel expenses and accommodation expenses shall be agreed with the employer and reimbursed accordingly."

It also states:
"Travel time shall only be considered for any work-related travel beyond the Greater London region and shall be compensated by giving time off in lieu."

The trade shows are usually across the weekend and requires exhibitors (myself) to be there at least a day in advance to set-up. Also, the hours can be long.

First trade show

• Location: Outside Greater London
• Day 0 on Saturday: Travelling to location and setting up shell scheme the day before. Employer wishes to allow for 2 hours when setting up. Opening times are from 9 A.M. to 6 P.M. to do this
• Day 1 on Sunday: 8 A.M. to 6 P.M. = 10 hours
• Day 2 on Monday: 8 A.M. to 7 P.M. = 11 hours and travelling back to London afterwards

What is happening

• My travel and accommodation is being arranged by my employer next week.
• My employer has suggested half day for Saturday, full day for Sunday and half day for Monday due to travelling back to London late = 2 days of time off in lieu.
• My employer has decided when my time off will be, which will be directly before and after working at the trade show.

My thoughts: I will be travelling to and setting up at the trade show on Saturday on my time off, working 10 hours on Saturday which is also my day off and working 3 hours longer than I should on Monday and then travelling back to London.

Should I be asking for more time off or is this fair?

3 days later, I will be managing the 2nd expo.

Second trade show

• Location: Inside Greater London
• Day 0 on Thursday: Travelling to location and setting up shell scheme the day before. Employer wishes to allow for 2 hours when setting up. Opening times are from 10 A.M. to 6 P.M. to do this
• Day 1 on Friday: 9 A.M. to 7.30 P.M. = 10 hrs 30 mins
  
• Day 2 on Saturday: 9 A.M. to 7.30 P.M. = 10 hrs 30 mins
• Day 3 on Sunday: 9 A.M. to 7.30 P.M. = 10 hrs 30 mins
• Day 4 on Monday: 9 A.M. to 8 P.M. = 11 hours

What is happening

• My travel and accommodation is not required as it is within Greater London.
• My employer has suggested full day for Friday and full day for Saturday = 2 days of time off in lieu.
• My employer has decided when my time off will be, which will be directly before and after working at the trade show

My thoughts: I should leave work early on Thursday to setup. I will be working 2.5 hours longer than I should on Friday, working 10.5 hours on Saturday and another 10.5 hours on Sunday during my time off, and then working 3 hours longer than I normally would on Monday.

Should I be asking for more time off or is this fair?

I would appreciate advice on how I should go forward, including what you think my time off in lieu should be and anything else I should/shouldn't consider.

Thank you!

 

[leftthenright]

This is a fairly long read. Thank you for reading.

 

[Graham Tyers]

Shows are hard work, long hours and back-breaking. I dare say your employer knows this!

I would recommend making a good impression with your new employer. But try and make sure you are not taken for a ride at the same time.

Keep a diary for the first 6 months, go above and beyond what is expected of you, and see what you have to play with.

Trying to haggle at this point probably not the best move. Get some facts and figures together first.

Exhibitions are a great opportunity to promote yourself too. Make the most of the opportunities you have in front of you.

 

[Newchodge]

Given the huge number of issues you have with your employer, in such a short space of time, I suggest you join a union and get them to deal with it.

 

[MBE2017]

You need to talk to your employer if you are unhappy, once a precedence has occurred they would expect the same in the future.

It might be awkward having only just started, but better to sort things out now. Although you mention parts of your contract you do not state if you were told that working exhibitions/shows could be 10/11hr days.

Hard to say if travelling back from outside London after a show is fair, since you give no idea of time or distances involved, travelling method etc.

I used to work shows for myself, and staff I employed were paid per hour, plus travelling, accommodation etc, plus a bonus if things went well. It is long hard hours, but people should be paid accordingly IMO.

 

[Mr D]

So being paid for the hours worked plus time off for having worked the weekend?
Sounds like the time off is effectively applying a weekend, not actually giving you anything time wise.

 

[leftthenright]

Shows are hard work, long hours and back-breaking. I dare say your employer knows this!

I would recommend making a good impression with your new employer. But try and make sure you are not taken for a ride at the same time.

Keep a diary for the first 6 months, go above and beyond what is expected of you, and see what you have to play with.

Trying to haggle at this point probably not the best move. Get some facts and figures together first.

Exhibitions are a great opportunity to promote yourself too. Make the most of the opportunities you have in front of you.

Thank you!

 

[leftthenright]

Given the huge number of issues you have with your employer, in such a short space of time, I suggest you join a union and get them to deal with it.

I had the pay sorted. Turns out accounts made an error and they corrected it that day.