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Original poster

Work situation, need advice & a backbone

34 replies

Anotherlastminutepanic · 14/10/2024 22:07

Started a PT job 2 months ago. At interview I explained I had caring responsibilities so could only do routine 1 late per wk, tho ad hoc extras periodically to cover hols etc OK just not regularly 2+ lates.

If they'd said this was a problem, no hard feelings I'dhave understood. But they said we'd talk about shifts to agree what worked for us both then offered me the job.

The first 6 wks was training so no consistent rota as I was shadowing ppl.

Last wk the my rota was issued. I'm working 3 / 5 lates. I thought, this must be a mistake! Trotted to raise with manager to be told: no mistake this is what we need. If you don't like it, this isn't the job for you.

Now I have no problem with them doing this if I'd not communicated my situation before the rota was given. But I did & was taken on with this known & told wed disciss shifts. It's as if that conversation never happened now I'm there.

I blatantly need to challenge this or leave. I am in the process of trying to leaving, actively looking elsewhere, submitting applications & have been offered a role elsewhere but it's public sector and everything takes forever to happen before I know all pre-employment chks go thru OK & I can give notice. Then I have to work my notice. So I could be stuck on this horrendous (for me) rota for a while yet. I'd suck it up if it was just me, but it's my children who bear the brunt & one is in a critical yr of school so I'm not wanting this to affect them.

How would you raise? Given I've raised verbally & been ignored. It's a small workplace (like <10 employees) & I'm a coward when it comes to confrontation but need to find my inner beast with a backbone cos this is unfair & our verbal agreement about working shifts that fitted my responsibilities gas been completely ignored for no clear reason.

To add, 2 other members of staff have got the specific days / shifts they requested due to their caring responsibilities / 2nd job. So it does seem I'm being treated unfairly & differently altho I know businesses can do that if business dictates but that's not the case here. We're admin & the other members of staff have flexibility to cover the lates I can't.

Cos of the small stulructure, the person doing the rota is also my line manager, and HR, so feels like no one else I can turn to.

Advice on how to handle pls that's firm, professional & covers me if I need to take it further. But ideally doesn't make life hell for me until I leave.

OP posts:
Aligirlbear · 15/10/2024 05:14

What does your contract say ? While you advised them at the interview their response was “we would talk about it” so you have nothing definite agreed before you started. Unless your contract states specifically what shifts you will work ( I suspect it states you work x hours at any time between xx.xx am and zz.zz pm) so unfortunately other than going back to them and asking for a rethink there isn’t much you can do other than look for a new job. It might be that this is just the initial rota and you are being used to fill gaps while you get established into the rota.

Original poster
Anotherlastminutepanic · 15/10/2024 05:11

@1questionfromme no, health care type place, not nhs, privately owned

OP posts:
1questionfromme · 15/10/2024 05:05

I'm guessing that you're working somewhere like a supermarket - Tesco Express type place? In my experience they'll promise you the world to get you on board and then do exactly as they like.

I wouldn't be surprised if you haven't got a leg to stand on, sadly, unless they have you something in writing at the time you were employed.

Original poster
Anotherlastminutepanic · 15/10/2024 05:04

@bergamotorange meant to say, nothing in writing. Never crossed my mind there'd be an issue.

OP posts:
Original poster
Anotherlastminutepanic · 15/10/2024 05:02

@bergamotorange I need the job in the sense that if I resign I may be sanctioned as I'm on UC. However I'm not sure if I would be given grace on this as uc are aware of my caring responsibilities & were surprisingly understanding when I was migrated over from ctc looking for work. Not sure if I got lucky with my work coach or if thats standard.
I could do the late shifts on a personal level but in doing so the impact on those I'm responsible for is huge & will absolutely affect my child who has gcse exams this yr. I need to be home in the eves to support & look after them. I was upfront about this at interview so it's completely unexpected to be in this position.

OP posts:
bergamotorange · 15/10/2024 04:14

Do you have anything in writing from the earlier conversation? No help now but in future always get it in writing before accepting.

You have very few rights at the moment if it is a new employer, how much do you need the work and is it a question of you don't want these shifts or you really can't do them?

You need to get a discussion in writing now, but I'm not sure any words can 'cover you' if all your discussion previously was informal.

Unfortunately, it sounds like a bad job.

Demurelemur · 15/10/2024 04:13

Sadly am not sure that you can take it much further, as you have only been in post a few weeks.

I would simply tell them that you're really enjoying the role but cannot commit to regular late shifts, as you told them at interview. If your manager doesn't change their stance you'll have to resign. Maybe their idea of an ad hoc late shift is different to yours....

How frustrating for you.

Original poster
Anotherlastminutepanic · 15/10/2024 03:59

@JMSA no, I ws so gobsmacked by the response i hadn't considered a counter-arguement, I honestly thought it was a mistake to start. Or at worst if they were trying it on that me raising it would shame the manager into honouring what we'd prev spoken about. The irony is, my manager has similar caring responsibilities (but with more family support) so I was not expecting to be treated like this for several reasons. Then when the convo went in the dorection it went, I was angry, upset & processing a response that took me by surprise which tends to make me withdraw a bit & go quiet as I know I need time to think in these situations rather than react & regret.

OP posts:
JMSA · 14/10/2024 22:11

Have you asked if they can compromise and drop it to two lates?
It does seem unfair when this was specifically mentioned at interview!

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