Starting Over...

Taking Action

So I talked to the Human Resources liason for our department about my prediciment. Truth is, I would not mind working extra if I actually got paid OT. The university's default compensation for working over 40 hours a week is extra leave time. Unfortunately for my boss, I already have far more leave time than I need and limited time to use it. I'll need my boss' approval to actually get money instead of more time. If she's going to burn me out to the point I can't moonlight then she should be paying more. I'm also hoping this arrangement will act as a deterant and make her think about what she's asking of me.

The HR person also said there is a way to temporarily match my salary to my lab manager's when I take over her duties while she's on maternity leave. Basically, the HR person told me to present all of this to my boss. If my boss retaliates then I should go back to HR and they will take action.

I do feel a little better, but that won't make it any easier to approach my boss about this. She's pulling her hair out over a grant due on July 11th. I wonder if I can hold out until then. The HR person thinks I should do it now, but I don't want my timing to affect my boss' decision.

It's going to be a looong month.