Perhaps, but any businessman that would take an employee away from his family for no pay is not the direction we want to look, I don't think.
I can't believe companies ask that of it's employees. I've never seen my dad obligated to do something for work on his own time. They had volunteer things that he did but he wasn't required to. Steve is absolutely required to do this as part of his job. Which is just fine with me as long as it's during work hours.
If they paid him overtime, even...sis, I'd never say a word. I'm a big fan of getting all the overtime you can get...but they don't.
He'll have to do Creek Cleanup again, eventually. That's an all-day thing...ALL DAY on Saturday. He's required to do it and gets comp time for it. Yeah, right. I wonder what would happen if he got injured? Is he on the job? Would he get worker's comp? I doubt it.
None of this is in writing, you understand me...it's all verbal. It looks good for the city...they're involved with volunteerism for the environment. But it's implied he'd loose his job if he doesn't do it.
Guvmint job.
It's heartbreaking, but it's the way of things these days. It's how you get ahead. My 'company' expects it and I do it. Big'ol understands but he doesn't like it. His company expects it and he comes through for them (lots of weekend stuff).
It's not what you want to hear and it's not good for families and relationships, but y'all aren't alone!
2J.... You keep saying all this about how he has to do it, and then treating it like a volunteer thing. The way you describe it, it obviously is not. It's something he has to do.
And, I might add, comp time is worthwhile compensation.... If self employed dude takes time off his work day, he doesn't make anything. That may be the case, I don't know, why Steve was adjusting for him.
If this is resolved, let it go.... Lots of us do and have worked jobs with overtime required on projects where we got nothing for it. It's part of life, especially as he moves up. I'd really recommend understanding and flexibility. It won't stop the overtime, but it will keep you on the same side as Steve, instead of putting this between you.