Change to T & Cs but no specified working pattern..help please!

[CustardQueen]

My employer, a Local Authority, is in the process of reducing staff numbers and amending the terms and conditions of our whole department. Our pay is going to be reduced, our hours all streamlined to 22 per week (at the moment we have different hours/days specified in our contracts), and we are going to have to apply for our jobs. I don't have an issue with any of these points as I know the Council, like many others, has to save money, but we are being asked to sign the new contracts without knowing what our working pattern will be.

I have two young children (2 and 5) and to be able to work rely on a finely tuned schedule involving 3 grandparents, school, nursery, playgroup and my husband (who works full time). My employer wants me (and all the team) to be flexible in when we are available to work, but I have said that practically I cannot commit to that. I don't mind being asked if I can work extra hours occasionally but to have to keep changing when I'm working would be impossible. Also, if I wanted to get a second job, how could I commit to certain hours without knowing when my main employer would be wanting me to work in the next month, three months etc ...

Does anyone know if employers can expect employees to be so flexible in when they are available? I've posted in Employment too.. Thanks in advance for any advice..

[Collaborate]

Are you in a union?

[CustardQueen]

No Collaborate, I'm not, but several of my colleagues are and have been getting some advice from them. No one seems to know to what extent we are expected to be flexible.

[olgaga]

How has the employer responded to requests for confirmation of work patterns/fixed working hours?

In my experience they will usually see how many people sign up to the flexible arrangements - some people will find it inconvenient but not impossible. They will then know whether they can agree more fixed patterns with some of their staff with care responsibilities.

If you signed the contract and added a covering letter saying you can only work a certain pattern, the ball is in their court as to whether they want you on those terms or not. Presumably redundancy is on offer, if there are no suitable alternatives.

Whether this is fair or not will boil down to the process they have followed and whether adequate notice and consultation has taken place.

[CustardQueen]

Thank you olgaga. So far, they just keep repeating that we need to be flexible - they will not agree to any fixed working hours within contracts. They do seem to be doing everything by the book in terms of consultaton periods and notice periods. Yes redundancy on offer but as I only work 2 days a week and have only been there for 7 years, its not a great deal! Thanks for the reply.