work long hours vs. work overtime

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Verona_82

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Oct 15, 2010
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Russian
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Ukraine
Hello!
Could anyone explain the difference between working long hours and working overtime to me please ? Are the terms interchangeable or is there a substantial difference?

I'm not sure, but it seems to me that the concept of long hours is dictated by the nature of work requiring people to work longer than 8 hours a day (doctors, nurses, people working in shifts) and that's either stated in their working contract or is a worker's own desire to spend more time at their workplace.
As for overtime, does it refer to work hours that exceed contractual hours (a fulltimer can't meet a deadline, has an increasing workload etc)??
I'm really confused.

Thank you in advance!
 

bhaisahab

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Joined
Apr 12, 2008
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Retired English Teacher
Native Language
British English
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England
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Hello!
Could anyone explain the difference between working long hours and working overtime to me please ? Are the terms interchangeable or is there a substantial difference?

I'm not sure, but it seems to me that the concept of long hours is dictated by the nature of work requiring people to work longer than 8 hours a day (doctors, nurses, people working in shifts) and that's either stated in their working contract or is a worker's own desire to spend more time at their workplace.
As for overtime, does it refer to work hours that exceed contractual hours (a fulltimer can't meet a deadline, has an increasing workload etc)??
I'm really confused.

Thank you in advance!
Welcome to the forums.
"Working overtime" means working more than your contracted hours, usually at a premium rate. If for example you are contracted to work eight hours a day, from nine to five, and you are asked to work until six or seven one day, that is overtime. "Working long hours" is subjective, some people would find forty hours a week long, others fifty etc.
 

Verona_82

Senior Member
Joined
Oct 15, 2010
Member Type
Other
Native Language
Russian
Home Country
Russian Federation
Current Location
Ukraine
Thank you, bhaisahab!
Thanks, Gillnetter!
 
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