How much notice should be given before work is cancelled or reduced?

[seoladair]

A few weeks ago I was asked if I'd like to do 4 hours of extra work on some student assessments outside my normal timetable (I work in a Higher Education institution). They will take place this coming Wednesday.

Last week they changed it to 3 hours, which was fine.

Today they said it would only be 2 hours of work. I had already booked the babysitter for 5 hours on the basis that I would be doing the 3 hours of work (plus travel time to and from work).

I told my head of department that I felt it would be unfair on the babysitter to reduce her work at such short notice (40 hours notice). He said that my work can actually be cancelled unpaid at 24 hours notice, but under the circumstances he would pay me for the agreed 3 hours instead of 2.

Just for some context, I'd have been left with about £2 after paying the babysitter and travel if I had only been paid for 2 hours, but had paid for 5 hours of babysitting!

Are there guidelines about this kind of thing?
Also, what do people feel about cancelling a babysitter at such short notice?

[missingmumxox]

i would say unless in writing, you have been taken for a mug, suck it up this time, and if asked again ask for it in writing before agreeing, if it is not forthcoming decline politely.

This has always been my stance in this type of situation, and whilst I will move heaven and earth to get my job done, my managers know what I am like about out of hours, to the extent when they do ask me I know they are desparete and demand a higher fee :)

On the flip side I totally agree about your childcare and your morals, shame your manager doen't, and also what if you start mucking the childcarer about, chances are they will tell you to slig your hook, because they know they are in a position of power, which brings me back to my point of, in writing, more pay, they want you they will do both..trust me, I am a nurse....

[seoladair]

Hi missing
Well, I do have it in email - I think that counts as writing.
I'm doing another assessment stint the next week, which is also in email, so maybe I should just suggest that we make it a firm booking.

I am seen as a trouble-maker now, because I had to bring in HMRC to force my HE institution to pay maternity pay. They treat many of the teaching staff as semi-casual labour. They are now much better with me, because they're scared that I'll sue them for maternity discrimination (long, long story). But they still behave as though employment law doesn't apply to hourly-paid staff.

I'd love to know what the legal situation is in the case of cancellation. Does anyone know, or is it too grey an area?