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AIBU?

Can my employer make me do this?

168 replies

thedoginthenighttime · 29/01/2018 19:41

I'm a regular but have namechanged.

I work in a role with 'normal' office hours. I'm responsible for quite a large budget, of which a considerable amount is spent at a weekend (involves retail without being too outing).

Lately I've been having to log on and do a little work on the weekends, which is unpaid. Today my employer told me they are not happy and want to formalise weekend working.

This will be in the form of two hours each weekend day. It will be every other week alternating with another colleague.

In exchange for this they have offered four hours off during the week. There will be restrictions on when I can take this.

My concerns are:

1 - I already work lunchtimes, late nights to get my work done. The weekend workload will be an addition. I cannot foresee any day where I would be able to take back four hours.

2 - I don't see the weekend work can be completed in this two hours and worry I'm opening myself up for constant requests for work all weekend

3 - It means I'll work 7 days a week

4 - If will mean my whole weekend is disruptive and four hours back doesn't seem enough compensation.

When I raised these points today I was told
I was being difficult. I requested my manager set up a meeting with HR and was told to stop being disruptive.

WWYD? Is this fair?

OP posts:
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NewYearNewMe18 · 29/01/2018 19:43

No, it's a change to your contractual working hours.

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Lucymek · 29/01/2018 19:44

Erm push for the HR meeting they are taking the piss out of you.

4 hours at the weekend is not the same as four hours during the week.

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Pollypudding · 29/01/2018 19:45

Are you a member of a Union?

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CharlieWork · 29/01/2018 19:45

Can you contact HR directly?

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tiredbutFESTIVE · 29/01/2018 19:47

They don’t want you to tell HR...make sure you contact HR

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thedoginthenighttime · 29/01/2018 19:48

Apparently HR has already been involved and agreed. In my eyes this requires a change in my contract so I would have expected HR to organise a meeting to discuss this with me, but it hasn't happened.

OP posts:
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LemonSqueezy0 · 29/01/2018 19:48

They are trying to make sure they can force you to do the weekend work, and not have you say no.... It's taking the absolute piss.

Are you In a union? Are you and the other colleague of the same mind? Mutual support will be invaluable.

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thedoginthenighttime · 29/01/2018 19:49

I think other colleague agrees but he is in his probation period, not from this country (used to poor working conditions) and although he's not happy, I think he's worried of being made redundant if he disagrees.

OP posts:
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rjay123 · 29/01/2018 19:53

The Working Time Regulations determine the maximum weekly working time, patterns of work and holidays, plus the daily and weekly rest periods. They also cover the health and working hours of night workers. The Regulations apply to both part time or full-time workers, including the majority of agency workers and freelancers, although certain categories of workers are excluded.

In general the Working Time Regulations provide rights to:

a limit of an average 48 hours a week on the hours a worker can be required to work, though individuals may choose to work longer by "opting out"
paid annual leave of 5.6 weeks' a year
11 consecutive hours' rest in any 24-hour period
a 20-minute rest break if the working day is longer than six hours
one day off each week
a limit on the normal working hours of night workers to an average eight hours in any 24-hour period, and an entitlement for night workers to receive regular health assessments.

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Longdistance · 29/01/2018 19:53

They cannot change your contract without your permission, and a consultation period. They also cannot make you work 7 days a week (they can fuck off with that one!)
Do you have legal cover on your home insurance policy?

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rjay123 · 29/01/2018 19:54

They would therefore be in breach of this if they tried to enforce you to working 7 days every other week.

m.acas.org.uk/index.aspx?articleid=1373

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user1498854363 · 29/01/2018 19:54

Others are right, get in touch with HR and union. Good luck

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Graphista · 29/01/2018 19:54

"Apparently HR has already been involved and agreed." So they say - if true why they trying to stop you speaking to them?

Isn't there also rules about one full day off per week or something?

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Graphista · 29/01/2018 19:56

Posted before rjays posts, good to see confirmation - they're at it!

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museumum · 29/01/2018 19:57

If it telly needs to be done I’d insist on a four hour block off in one go and a half day say in a Monday.
Also is not do more than two hours sat and sun and insist they were logged without being allowed to increase by stealth.
Tbh I’m not sure why you prefer to do it informally without recognition? IME it’s always better to log overtime formally (even if you’re not paid for it).
Can you suggest you all keep time sheets? That way overtime is clear and transparent as is piss taking.

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rjay123 · 29/01/2018 19:58

I would email your manager, and ask him to confirm what they are proposing (about the 7 day week).

Something along the lines of

“Dear manager,

To confirm your discussions with me, you are proposing that I work two hours on a Saturday and Sunday, on alternative weeks. In exchange for this, I get 4 hours off during the week.

Can you please confirm the proposed 4 hours off I will receive each week”

The last sentence is to throw him off the fact you are questioning the 7days a week part.

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milliemolliemou · 29/01/2018 19:59

Log the times you're currently working and what you did during the overtimes in evenings and at weekends.

Talk to the alternating colleague and ask him/her to do the same if they're agreeable. Think about what you'd accept. Sounds to me (given your existing unpaid work in the evenings, over breaks and at weekends) that you might consider doing the paid weekend work for a day in lieu.

I'd also look for another job. Sounds as if your firm could be struggling. Have you checked its returns and (if a chain) the financial papers? worth a google.

Contact a union - yours I think would be USDAW. If your simple request to speak to HR is considered troublemaking, and HR haven't consulted you on terms and conditions, then you need help. If you're not a union member at least USDAW (or a google) would be able to advise on tactics. If what you say is right (and you've checked with HR) then IMHO they're breaking the law.

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milliemolliemou · 29/01/2018 20:00

And agree with rjay email the manager to ask exactly what they are proposing.

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TittyGolightly · 29/01/2018 20:00

The one full day just needs to be a 24 hour period.

Eg Saturday work 10am-12pm
Sunday work 12-2pm

That’s WTD compliant.

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TittyGolightly · 29/01/2018 20:01

It is also either a 24 hour period off per week or 48 hours every 2 weeks. They’re also well within that.

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TittyGolightly · 29/01/2018 20:02

If you're not a union member at least USDAW (or a google) would be able to advise on tactics.

Nowadays no union will advise a non-member.

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Allthewaves · 29/01/2018 20:04

Can they not hire a weekend member of staff to do the work. I was hired by well know retailer to do their Saturday and Sunday cash office plus any administration that was left over from the week.

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Tipsntoes · 29/01/2018 20:04

They can change your hours on a "take it or leave it" basis. However, if you don't take it, you may be entitled to redundancy. i.e. the role you were doing is redundant and a new different position including weekend work has been created.

However, they can't insist you work 7 days every week without a day off.

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Littlecaf · 29/01/2018 20:05

This is exactly what unions are for. Do join one if you haven’t already.

It’s a contract change and they can’t make you.

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rjay123 · 29/01/2018 20:05

Fair Point, titty

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