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Original poster

DS works on a 15 hour min contract at Coffee shop- how available does he need to be every weekend ?

112 replies

Munichfam5 · 19/03/2025 18:20

DS has been working at a medium coffee shop chain for a month , 15 hour min contract
we have a big family wedding on 25-27 April in London and so he has requested this time off

his boss has said he can’t have it as other people have requested it off and so he needs to sort out swaps with other staff members

But DS he hasn’t even has his schedule for that week yet and he doesn’t know all the staff properly yet

How demanding Can a coffee shop be when DS is on a 15 hour per week contract ?

TIA

OP posts:
Largestlegocollectionever · 19/03/2025 18:38

This is just how hospitality staff are often treated - basically the coffee shop can do whatever they want and if he goes anyway, they’ll probably just not give him any shifts!

TappyGilmore · 19/03/2025 18:37

Depends what his contract says but yes he probably does need to be available at any time, and they will roster accordingly. Unless the coffee shop is in a sort of business district which empties out at weekends, it’s likely that weekends are busier than weekdays so he should assume that he is working weekends more often than not.

If he needs time off for a specific event then he needs to use annual leave to guarantee that he is off, but the employer can always refuse that if too many people have booked it off. You’re talking about dates which are not much more than a month away, so it is pretty late notice, and understandable that others might already have booked the time off.

Sofiewoo · 19/03/2025 18:37

Why didn’t he give them the date he needed off before he started?

Why is his mum trying to deal with things like this for a man in his 20s?

Littletreefrog · 19/03/2025 18:36

If others already have it booked in then there isn't a lot they can do. This might be a good way for your DS to get to know the others better. Is there a group chat where he can ask if anyone could swap with him? Also if he has anything else he needs time off for get it booked in now. I imagine unless he negotiated some days or times he couldn't work when he was recruited they will be expecting him to be available all the time the shop is open until the rota is produced. How far in advance does he get his shifts?

Original poster
Munichfam5 · 19/03/2025 18:34

@TheRealMcKenna DS won’t miss the wedding as hotel rooms are booked and paid for + rsvp’s sent ages ago …

DS probably should have flagged this when he went was offered the job

but it is what it is now

he won’t not go to the wedding - it’s only 15 hours a week

OP posts:
Original poster
Munichfam5 · 19/03/2025 18:31

@Bristollocalknowledge he gave 5 week s notice which I think is within the amount they ask for

OP posts:
TheRealMcKenna · 19/03/2025 18:31

He’s been there a month and the requested time off is a month away. Sadly, they are under no obligation to approve holiday if other members of staff are already on holiday.

DS had exactly this situation when he first started work. His employer is really bad at authorising leave if it’s requested too close to the time and anyone else is having time off.

In the end, he just had to work it.

Yerroblemom1923 · 19/03/2025 18:29

I think it's just the "joy" of zero hour contracts. 15 hours is neither here nor there. I guess nearer the time he'll have to hope to swap with fellow colleagues if he cares enough to keep his job....
The hospitality industry is notoriously rubbish as you're usually expected to work every weekend/ evening etc etc

Bristollocalknowledge · 19/03/2025 18:29

How much notice did you give when asking for time off?

Original poster
Munichfam5 · 19/03/2025 18:26

Btw - he is a graduate so no other commitments …

OP posts:
Original poster
Munichfam5 · 19/03/2025 18:25

@shellyleppard yes that sounds like what’s happened
but , if a job only guarantees 15 hours per week is he meant to be available All
week waiting to be scheduled for 15 hours ?
that doesn’t sound fair ?
I know a lot of people that work there are students so they can’t be available at all times ?

Does anyone. what the procedure is in this type of job ?
thanks

OP posts:
shellyleppard · 19/03/2025 18:22

@Munichfam5 maybe the staff had booked the time off for a while?? I think your son might have to ask nicely if anyone else will be willing to swap with him