06 Nov How can I ask my employee to work overtime hours?
Every workplace goes through a busy season. And while it is great that business is going well, sometimes you don’t have enough workers to compensate for the extra work that needs to be completed.
As an employer, it is your responsibility to ensure the necessary work is being completed, while also managing your employees’ workload and productivity. During a busy period, there may be no other option but to ask your current employees to work overtime hours.
Asking an employee to work more hours can sometimes be difficult, as their position may already be demanding. However, there may be a way of requesting overtime work while continuing to support your employees.
What is the best way to ask your employee to work overtime?
Be as straightforward as possible with your employee and tell them why you are requesting overtime hours. You could also discuss the demands with your employee and outline the amount of work that needs to be accomplished, the amount of overtime hours that you are requesting, and if applicable, the impending deadline for the work.
Openly communicating this information with your employee will give them a purpose when completing the work. The employee may not feel as burdened because they now understand how important fulfilling the work is for the company.
In instances where your employee is compensated hourly for their work, when discussing their availability to work extra hours, be accommodating. Ask your employee their preferred schedule, as they may have other jobs or caregiving responsibilities that you aren’t aware of. You may even want to request overtime work well in advance to give the employee time to think about a schedule that will work best for them. If there are certain days that require their help, let them know, and focus on how you can manage their hours within those days.
As an employer, you must also prioritize your team’s mental health. Every employee is different, and knowing your employees’ workload and their ability to manage more work is crucial. Some employees may need the money and accept overtime hours willingly, others may find their current workload already overwhelming. Even at busy times, you should always think about how you can help sustain your employee’s energy so they can remain productive throughout their employment.
Further to understanding your employees on an individual basis, be mindful of how consistently you request overtime work from certain employees. If you are demanding too much work from a certain team or employee, you may want to consider hiring another worker to help with the expanding workload.
Lastly, don’t just expect your employee to work overtime for nothing in return. Make sure to repay the employee for their time. The reward does not need to be monetary compensation. You could instead offer a few days off following this period as a reward for completing the extra work. You don’t want your employees to feel burnt out or like their efforts are being exploited. A reward will help your employees feel appreciated, and that their effort is valued and not just expected.
If you are an employer who needs help drafting company policies and procedures or drafting Employment Agreements that work best for the demands of your workplace, please contact KCY at LAW by filling in an online consultation request or contact us by phone aat 905-639-0999 to book your consultation today.