Unable to stay late

[Post12345]

Hey guys I'm starting soon and just wondering what the crack is with the overtime. From what I can see on here it's rife and common that you won't finish on time especially at the start.
My issue is I'm a mum and i have to pick my kids up an hour after my finish time every day so with travelling etc really couldn't stay late.
Is that going to be an issue?

[Angwyn]

Yes it's rife and common and finishing on time is tricky at the beginning as you are learning but you should have a workplace coach to ensure this happens. After that you just need to inform your manager that you need to finish on time every day, end of. Your contract your rules.

[GT85]

Is that going to be an issue ?

I would love to be able to reassure you and say no you will be fine but in all honesty, although you are well within your rights to only work your contracted hours, you can expect to have daily harassment/grief from your manager. Every office is different of course but due to excessive cost cutting RM rely on people doing overtime every day, some people want or need the hours but management often find it hard to accept that others like yourself don't as you have other commitments outside of work.

As a newbie you are especially vulnerable because they expect that you will be up to regular postie speed within a week, don't know any better when it comes to what they tell you and will agree to stuff because you want to make a good first impression in your new job.

However despite all the doom and gloom it's a great job, although the first 6 months will be a very steep learning curve for you, be strong, join the union and make sure you follow the cutting off procedure every day if you need to.

Good luck