[Olive303]

I work in social services and I came in this morning when my boss asked me and my coworker if either of us could work with one of my clients until 11:30 pm tonight. That would mean that I would work a 14.5 hour day.

This week I am already going to work a split shift tomorrow from 10 am- 11:30 pm (with a 3 hour split in between), working a 6 day week, going into overtime, and work until midnight for 3 days this week.

My coworker had a shorter day ahead of her- 8 hours today if she helped the client until 11:30pm. She worked 5 day weeks and normal hours regularly. She offered to help the client instead of me and I accepted her offer.

I may be reading too deeply into this but I felt like my boss expected me to work that shift since it was my client. At the same time she asked both me and my coworker. My coworker let me know that I was part of a team and that she was willing to step in.

I just started this job and I am struggling with the company culture. When I was hired they said “some nights and weekends”. Now I am working 6 day weeks until midnight 3 days a week. I haven’t taken a lunch break in weeks. And I feel like I’m slacking for saying no and struggling with this.

Is this normal? Was it wrong of me to accept help from my coworker?

[Skeezyks]

Well... no... in general my personal opinion would be that it's not "normal". At least not based on my experiences. But knowing so few of the details regarding this situation, quite honestly I doubt my opinion is worth much. I do think when one is new to a job, it is incumbent upon a person to do as much as possible to ingratiate oneself to one's new employer & con-workers. On the other hand, there's limit to everything. Only you know to what extent you're willing to go in an effort to "fit in".

[seesaw]

Oh no...I had a similar problem at my last job. They advertised some nights and weekends, when what they meant was that you would work a full office day and then also work almost every night and weekend, over 60 hours a week often. If you complained, it was frowned upon.

I would bring it up with your boss now that you're working these extended hours and not getting lunch breaks. They need to do something about it now and not making it a habit.

Seesaw

[hvert]

It was good to accept help from your coworker! With those kinds of hours, I'd be taking all the help I could. It's not normal (or legal) for your boss to expect you to miss lunch breaks and work ridiculous hours all the time. Sounds like the boss needs to hire some more people.