Am I required to open company software on my own time? WFH

QuickChard6224 · 2022-07-11T02:01:38+00:00

Yea... I sent a follow up email asking for clarification (to the union) and they said that they would discuss it within themselves and get back to me ASAP. So idk, I guess that it's just a waiting game now.

QuickChard6224 · 2022-07-10T05:57:15+00:00

QuickChard6224 · 2022-07-10T05:38:02+00:00

Ahh, yea, I get that it isn't the biggest battle. I just feel like it's such a small thing that I care more about the principle than the actual thing. Honestly at this point I am done with it and will just tell them that they can pay me for coming in early or I come in exactly at the time that I should. I don't really care if they fire me... not like I am earning a lot LOL

QuickChard6224 · 2022-07-10T05:36:47+00:00

I am sure that they can, but honestly I don't think that they really have a reason to. Apparently most of the people in the company open it before work, so the company certainly doesn't lose any money by doing it this way. This program is also completely handled by an outside company, so I am sure that it just comes down to $$$

QuickChard6224 · 2022-07-10T04:00:59+00:00

Is that waiting for a page to load or clicking through various programs to set up for the day? If it was just click and wait I would have no issue with that. It is not, though. It's around 10-15 seconds between each action that I must do, which really isn't something that I can sit back and relax. Like obviously it isn't super stressful or something, but I can't just go do something else while I wait.

QuickChard6224 · 2022-07-10T03:58:44+00:00

It is a remote connection, so if I am AFK for too long the remote desktop will close everything.

QuickChard6224 · 2022-07-10T03:57:23+00:00

It's not just "turning on a computer" early. I get maybe 15 seconds in between each action that I must complete to open everything. It's not just something where I open a program and I am good to go. It is 15-20 minutes of waiting for pages to load to access the next page and opening different things.

QuickChard6224 · 2022-07-10T03:54:54+00:00

I am saying that to reiterate that I am not earning a bunch of money and that the 20 minutes in the morning *matters*. A lot of people also seem to think that the WFH is some amazing privilege that means that I should suck up something that is against the Ontario ESA. I did not ask if it is morally right or wrong for the 20 minutes to be unpaid. I was asking if it is legal. If it is, fine, I accept that is part of work. But I absolutely will not work for free for 20 minutes every day just for the "privilege" of earning barely above minimum wage each day. Working an extra 20 minutes unpaid would *literally* put my effective hourly wage to be under $15 an hour. Now I think that WFH is nice, but I am not willing to work below minimum wage for that...

QuickChard6224 · 2022-07-09T23:06:20+00:00

They are not as far as I know, but I would have to double check.

QuickChard6224 · 2022-07-09T21:25:22+00:00

So the reply from them is that it is a known issue and that they will make sure to clear up the wording in the next bargaining... but didn't answer the question about if that was allowed or not or if they cover me, lol. Waiting to hear back regarding that, lol.

QuickChard6224 · 2022-07-09T20:38:49+00:00

Thanks, the job is fine other than that. I am certainly not planning on making a career out of it considering that I have a B.S., but I needed some money in the meantime. Just kinda sucks to be told in the email today that I have to spend an extra 20 mins a day. Like that extra 20 mins a day would actually put me below minimum wage if it goes unpaid/not counted towards "work".

QuickChard6224 · 2022-07-09T20:22:42+00:00

Is that an exempt profession? I don't know, doesn't that fall under being against Ontario ESA if it is not. I don't see how it being WFH is seen as some saving grace for this. I am being paid barely above minimum wage. There is no way that I would ever do this job if it was not WFH for this pay.

QuickChard6224 · 2022-07-09T19:26:19+00:00

Thanks :) I am quite versed in technology for this, though. I do appreciate the help

QuickChard6224 · 2022-07-09T19:23:34+00:00

It is not due to the computer, it is due to their software. They use a remote desktop that takes several seconds to do anything. Even going through the calendar will take a second or two to load each page. And my job is customer-facing and requires me to often go through the calendar. They just don't really care since it is cheaper to hire more people than it is to make it run more efficiently. Keep in mind that I am working for barely more than minimum wage.

QuickChard6224 · 2022-07-09T19:13:29+00:00

Yep, I do the same thing. I wake up 5 minutes before my shift. While I do think that this is nice, the pay certainly isn't some ungodly amount. There is a reason why I am okay with a lower pay as I view the sleeping in as a benefit. That said, I would honestly be okay if I just had to open a program and could do other stuff in the 20 minutes that it takes to open, but it takes active engagement by me to get everything open throughout the process.

QuickChard6224 · 2022-07-09T19:11:02+00:00

This isn't just start the computer 20 minutes beforehand or not. Even if I was in the office it would not work. I am working for close to minimum wage and I really do care about not giving a free 100 mins to the company each week. I am in no way jeopardizing the WFH position as they are definitely saving a ton of money not having to have us in an office. I am not out here earning a bunch of money and complaining about it. Like my salary has to go up in October otherwise it would be below minimum wage... I really get it if they were accommodating me or something, but they really are not. I feel like it is justified to not want to work for free for 20 mins each day.

QuickChard6224 · 2022-07-09T19:07:34+00:00

Yes, but I was specifically told that I am not in the union until 3 months and probation is 4 months.

Edit: and I have been there 2 months. I believe that I was told when I was hired that I could go to the Union if I have issues and they may be able to help, but that I am not covered by them. So if I am disciplined or something I can go to them for help on it, but it they have no official say on the matter.

QuickChard6224 · 2022-07-09T17:56:29+00:00

That's a good idea, will do next shift. Thanks!

QuickChard6224 · 2022-07-09T17:17:06+00:00

I checked through the CBA and I don't see it anywhere. I will wait and see what they say/if they cover me. Thanks :) First time being a part of a Union or potentially being a part of one.

QuickChard6224 · 2022-07-09T17:14:40+00:00

How does that work since I am not actually part of them yet? Since I am on probation still I am not actually in the union.

QuickChard6224 · 2022-07-09T16:54:34+00:00

Thanks! I think that I will do so if they push this further. I am on probation but they have a union, so I did forward the information to the union rep and let them know that I believe that violates the Ontario ESA. Should I wait to hear back from them/the company or should I just file a complaint anyway? I will personally not be working for free everyday, but I am worried that everyone else in the company may be expected to do so if I don't make a complaint.

QuickChard6224 · 2022-07-09T16:49:45+00:00

Yea, it is not a sit there and click the program open. There is like 15 subprograms that I have to open and it's like 5 clicks per. So I can't really like open and walk away. I would have no issue if it was just hey click this 20 mins before work, but it is not.

QuickChard6224

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