https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 24 May 2026 16:44:25 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/need-work-related-advicelongish#post-2560917 Thu, 02 Jun 2016 17:53:30 +0000 MrsBucky 2560917@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It sounds like they are comfortable with "engaging you to wait" by having you be salary for x hours/ week. If you spend the hours doing work when it is available, letting them know when you project to be done and ready for more work, and letting them know when you have nothing to work on, then they are paying you to be available. As long as you are checking to make sure they haven't reached out, I see no problem with doing other work during the time. If you feel you are being underpaid and would prefer hourly, I would pursue that. But if you are ok with the status quo, then I say you're in the clear to work on your own stuff! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/need-work-related-advicelongish#post-2560907 Thu, 02 Jun 2016 17:35:07 +0000 Mama Bird 2560907@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What happens if one week you have more work than the hours budgeted for it? Do you then put in more hours without overtime pay? In that case it probably all evens out in the end.</p> <p>I think no need to feel guilty, if you're getting to do your own stuff and they're getting a deal with your pay rate it's a win win :silly: And besides, you brought this up with them several times and no one objected! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/need-work-related-advicelongish#post-2560888 Thu, 02 Jun 2016 17:06:37 +0000 Portboston 2560888@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If you're asking for more work and they are not giving it to you, I would work on your other stuff. It's not like you're being sneaky about it. And what do they expect you to do, sit around and twiddle your thumbs? At least be productive! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/need-work-related-advicelongish#post-2560868 Thu, 02 Jun 2016 16:31:46 +0000 gingerbebe 2560868@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think if you are completing all your work then it's fine. You've raised the structure issue and they haven't listened so it's not like they are unaware of the problem. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/need-work-related-advicelongish#post-2560761 Thu, 02 Jun 2016 14:00:52 +0000 Paddington10 2560761@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@THOU -- mainly I feel guilty using my "work hours" to do my own work. Even though I do everything I am asked to do (and offer to do more!). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/need-work-related-advicelongish#post-2560757 Thu, 02 Jun 2016 13:57:06 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2560757@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What are you trying to accomplish? Do you want to get paid more? Reduce your hours? Get more work to do? </p> <p>I guess I just dont understand if you're already underpaid why you are looking for more work to do. It sounds like they know it maybe averages out at the end of the month/year for total number of hours. But if you want your salary to be higher you should talk to them about either a project based contract or a salary raise. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/need-work-related-advicelongish#post-2560754 Thu, 02 Jun 2016 13:48:55 +0000 psw27 2560754@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think if you consistently tell them that you don't have anything to do during your set hours, it is okay to do other things. You don't just need to sit and stare at your computer for 8 hours a day if they only have 3 hours worth of work. If you are getting it all done and doing it well, I wouldn't worry! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/need-work-related-advicelongish#post-2560751 Thu, 02 Jun 2016 13:41:50 +0000 Paddington10 2560751@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hello! Sorry this is off-topic but I'm thinking you may all have some wise insights.<br /> Essentially, I work for myself part-time and I also hold a part-time job. I work a lot. This is fine because I like what I do.<br /> The part-time job is structured traditionally: I make a salary to work X number of hours per week. However, the type of consulting work I do for them doesn't fit this mold and this has grown more so over the years. It's more project-based. I could spend 5 hours on a project one week and 20 the next. Sometimes I can go days without new work. My manager also isn't really available -- we check in once weekly but she has a million other things going on and not a lot of time to manage me.</p> <p>Over the years, I've basically fallen into a pattern where I do what is asked of me, but then I have free time. I feel guilty working on other things during this free time (I work from home), but I also don't know what to do. I have brought up to supervisors the reasons why a project-based contract would make more sense, but each time I do this, it seems the supervisor leaves and I get a new one. </p> <p>I also make very little money at this job -- they get a deal by paying me a salary; if I billed hourly at the going rate, it would be far more. So I think it benefits them to keep me as a salary position. But my guilt level is high! I feel bad using my hours to work on other stuff, but I also have literally nothing to do and ask for more work and don't really get anywhere. Sooo...I also get uniformly good reviews at each review period.</p> <p>What would you do if you were me? Sorry for rambling post. </p> <p>TLDR: I don't have enough work to do given my hours but feel badly doing other stuff during this time. </p>