Mandatory overtime is any hours above the allocated standard time that an employer makes compulsory for all employees. The laws regarding mandatory overtime are different depending on the state. According to the United States federal laws, employers can seek mandatory overtime from their employees depending on the work situation. In some workplaces, mandatory overtime occurs when there is inadequate staff due to economic issues. Sometimes, the employer depends on fidelity, where the employees are expected to be loyal and honor commitments. During mandatory overtime, autonomy may come in cases where employees feel that being a person comes before being an employee. However, there are cons and pros of the aspects of mandatory overtime as expressed by different scholars.

Aspect one

Overtime due to Inadequate Staffing Relating to Economic Issues

Pro: Titopoulou, M., Ganeva, R., Staykova, J., & Titopoulos, E. (2019). Advantages and Disadvantages of the Different Types of Working Hours’ Organisation. European Journal Of Economics And Business Studies, 7(1), 199. https://doi.org/10.26417/ejes.v7i1.p199-203

Sometimes, a business may be facing economic issues and thus have inadequate staff. The employer might require employees to work overtime to compensate. Mandatory overtime has several advantages to both the employer and employees. There are higher earnings and longer periods of paid leave to the employees. On the other hand, mandatory overtime enables the employer to increase production and extensive use of equipment. Additionally, the employer benefits as mandatory overtime extend working hours.

Con: Titopoulou, M., Ganeva, R., Staykova, J., & Titopoulos, E. (2019). Advantages and Disadvantages of the Different Types of Working Hours’ Organisation. European Journal Of Economics And Business Studies, 7(1), 199. https://doi.org/10.26417/ejes.v7i1.p199-203

Mandatory overtime can be tiresome for employees at certain periods. Employees might also face potential health problems associated with the heavy workload. They might face safety issues at work and balance private life and professional life. The employer might also incur extra costs for overtime payment.

Aspect Two

Fidelity

Pro: All about employee loyalty. (2018).All about employee loyalty. ENME. Retrieved 21 January 2022, from https://www.enmehr.com/en/blog/all-about-employee-loyalty/.

It is beneficial for a business when fidelity lies between the employer and employee. Fidelity involves loyalty and being committed to working towards achieving objectives. Through fidelity, the employer can achieve a smooth working relationship with the employees and produce a conducive environment for working. Fidelity also encourages employees to deliver work to the best of their standards.

Con: Fidelity Health Solutions Thought Leadership. (2020). Sponsorcqa.fidelity.com. Retrieved 21 January 2022, from https://sponsorcqa.fidelity.com/bin-public/06_PSW_Website/documents/The_value_of_benefits_employer_and_employee_perspectives.pdf.

Sometimes fidelity may include giving employees more benefits. However, giving employees more benefits does not guarantee retention at the workplace. As much as fidelity is important, it also has negative impacts.

Aspect Three

Autonomy

Pro: Matchr. (2022). The Importance of Autonomy in the Workplace | Matchr. Matchr. Retrieved 21 January 2022, from https://matchr.com/hr-resources/employee-engagement/employee-autonomy/.

It can be good to take his life interests first before taking employee interests. In autonomy, an employee is appreciative of oneself before the idea of being an employee. Autonomy enables an employee to be creative motivated and develops a sense of job satisfaction, leading to higher productivity.

Cons: Zhou, E. (2020). The “Too-Much-of-a-Good-Thing” Effect of Job Autonomy and Its Explanation Mechanism. Psychology, 11(02), 299-313. https://doi.org/10.4236/psych.2020.112019

Despite the arguments above, autonomy can have negative impacts when used inappropriately. Excessive autonomy can lead to unethical behavior in workplaces. Additionally, it reduces the work efficiency of employees.

References

All about employee loyalty. (2018). All about employee loyalty. ENME. Retrieved 21 January 2022, from https://www.enmehr.com/en/blog/all-about-employee-loyalty/.

Fidelity Health Solutions Thought Leadership. (2020). Sponsorcqa.fidelity.com. Retrieved 21 January 2022, from https://sponsorcqa.fidelity.com/bin-public/06_PSW_Website/documents/The_value_of_benefits_employer_and_employee_perspectives.pdf.

Matchr. (2022). The Importance of Autonomy in the Workplace | Matchr. Matchr. Retrieved 21 January 2022, from https://matchr.com/hr-resources/employee-engagement/employee-autonomy/.

Titopoulou, M., Ganeva, R., Staykova, J., & Titopoulos, E. (2019). Advantages and Disadvantages of the Different Types of Working Hours’ Organisation. European Journal Of Economics And Business Studies, 7(1), 199. https://doi.org/10.26417/ejes.v7i1.p199-203

Zhou, E. (2020). The “Too-Much-of-a-Good-Thing” Effect of Job Autonomy and Its Explanation Mechanism. Psychology, 11(02), 299-313. https://doi.org/10.4236/psych.2020.112019