Can PCSOs be ordered to do overtime?
The question of compulsion in respect of overtime can be a thorny one. What is important in legal terms is what the contract of employment states or implies. My own states You may be required to work overtime . The problem here is that even this is open to interpretation. May implies could be, perhaps/voluntarily etc whilst require implies compulsion. Past practice has always been volunteers only and thus it can be argued that this is custom and practice and thus an implied contract term. My advice to staff in operational roles such as PCSOs, Detention Officers, Control Room Operators etc has always been that as they are in such a role it is not unreasonable for Management to ask that they work over to meet the exigencies of the service. They should where ever possible comply with such requests.
