Definition of Additional Hours (Overtime)

If we talk about additional hours or overtime, we are referring to the time that a employee He dedicates to his usual working day beyond the stipulated time, that is, the usual working day regulated by a contract.

What rule In general, additional hours are regulated by the legal framework and the normative that applies is published in the statute of the workers and in the collective agreements of each sector.

The general idea of ​​overtime

In carrying out a job it is not always possible to maintain the same number of hours, so The additional hours are a mechanism for employers to satisfy their needs. At the same time, overtime has a remuneration economic for the worker and the amount to be paid for them is collected by the law. In this way, the additional hours serve to meet a need business but the worker must be rewarded for his extraordinary effort, since it must not be forgotten that the legal workday is eight hours a day.

The flip side of overtime

Although in theory the complementary hours have a specific regulation (there is a legal maximum in terms of the amount of overtime that can be done), in practice irregularities and problems occur various. In the first place, these hours are not always paid, since there are employers who take advantage of the labor market and demand to work longer but without the corresponding remuneration. This practice represents a considerable saving for the employer and, therefore, a way to increase his profits.

Second, from the worker's point of view, overtime has advantages but also disadvantages, since it allows more money to be earned as long as the hours are paid. Finally, overtime can cover up situations exploitationlabor.

Other disadvantages of overtime hours

The 8-hour workday is generally considered reasonable. Working longer involves a whole series of risks and inconveniences. If someone works longer than usual, it is very likely that he will end up having some health problem or more options of suffering an occupational accident, since the relationship between working time and risks has been demonstrated associates.

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