Feeling Stuck with Unfair Extended Work Hours: Should I Speak Up to Leadership?

Guidance Needed on Extended Work Hours

I need guidance based on the incident below. Every day, I work from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM in the regular shift. However, on Monday, I was forced to do an extended shift. I had completed all the assigned work before leaving for home. Since others were continuing to work, I was asked to extend the shift until 9:30 PM.

Before taking on this role, I had explained to the Site Leader, Senior Manager, and Team Leader that I leave at 6:00 PM every day to take care of my 5-year-old daughter at home. Despite this, I was forced to stay back. The other four team members, who usually arrive between 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM daily, were continuing to work. Out of these four, three are diversity candidates, and one is a male candidate.

Even after explaining my situation, I was still compelled to stay and continue working. Over the past 1.5 years, I have observed that diversity candidates are never held accountable for any issues or escalations, whereas male candidates often face criticism and blame.

Due to these four team members arriving late to the office, I have been forced to extend my work hours. I am genuinely concerned about how to resolve this situation. Should I escalate this to Senior Leadership? I am unsure if reaching out to HR is a viable option since HR closely collaborates with the leadership.

Thank you.

Dear Ajinkya,

Designation and Industry Context

What is your designation? What is the nature of your industry? During your extended working hours, do you deal with offshore customers?

Extended Working Hours

On one of the workdays, you are forced to stay in the office until 9:30 PM, and this has been going on for 1.5 years. Now you want to escalate the matter. However, the question arises: why have your extended working hours on one of the days escaped the attention of the managers? What kind of management is this?

Clarification on Diversity Candidates

Now about diversity candidates. What do you mean by "diversity candidate"? A person has the stature of a candidate at the time of recruitment. However, once that person gets selected and physically joins an organization, he/she becomes an "employee." Therefore, please clarify the term "diversity candidate." Are you referring to a "woman employee" or an "expatriate" as a "diversity candidate"?

Application and Feedback

You may submit a proper application to your seniors. If you wish, you may upload the draft of your application on this forum. Some seniors will correct it.

General Comments on Equality

Any organization must follow the principle of equality. Less work by a few employees cannot be counterbalanced by overwork by other employees. If one person is working extra and senior management remains quiet, and even HR also remains quiet, with these imbalances in the working methods, can HR engage the employees?

Thanks,
Dinesh Divekar

You can discuss the issue with your senior or HR. If the problem persists, you can formally send an email to address and resolve the matter in a professional and genuine manner.