How to raise issues at work?

[DorsetCamping]

Feeling all a bit pathetic about this but need to raise something at work and not sure how to go about it diplomatically/not put my job at risk.

So I do housekeeping at a pub with rooms. Most room bookings come in with at least a few days notice but an increasing amount are being made over the phone and literally at less than 24 hours notice.

The issue is I have no contract and am paid for the hours I work, however the expectation is that I am completely flexible and will clean as few or as many rooms at a moments notice.
I was ok with this but am getting increasingly aggrieved that a I cannot make my own plans or that I have to change them at the last minute. Trouble is because it's casual work my fear is that if I express my thoughts they'll just tell me to like it or lump it.

Any suggestions on how I raise this or how to make the set up work?

Bump?

Maybe suggest having some kind of shared calendar that you can update with your availability and them with the bookings?

I think I'd present it to them in a way that advantages them.

So, along the lines of "I've noticed that things have changed recently. I was thinking it might be more efficient if I had (say) 2 hrs per day"
Would that work?

We do have a shared calendar for the ebookings and a hard copy diary for anything last minute but that doesn't help with actually scheduling my time.

I almost want to ask for an 'on call' retainer that means I'm not disadvantaged by having to keep my own plans clear but that's not going to happen.
An example is that as of last Sat morning we only had 1 booking that night, but by 5pm we had another 2 so instead of planning to work just one hour on Sunday I ended up doing 3 and had to shelve my own plans

Any other advice much appreciated

Why aren't the rooms made up ready even when there aren't bookings??

They are made up ready but they is only because I am always on call to do them

*this is only

I guess the risk you take is asking for a minimum number of hours per day/retainer fee and them not retaining you.

Ask to only work fixed days each week so at least you have 2 days per week to make plans? Who does the work if you are away or I'll?

Sorry I didn't understand your update about making up the rooms.

Surely if they get you each day to make up the rooms that have been used once the guests leave, then it should be a fairly constant 2-3 hrs each day ?

That's just it, there is no consistency. On a daily basis it can range from no rooms to all 3 needing cleaning, with the expectation I am available to come in at the drop of a hat. I only get paid what I work, I don't work fixed hours.

So I could tell them I will only work certain hours/days but I suspect they would just then offer the work to someone who can offer 100% flexibility

If I am away (which to be honest has been very little of late!) they do manage of sorts but it's chaotic

I would ask them to find someone else to work 2 days per week and act as cover? Then you could potentially swap days between you.

Wouldn't cost them anymore and gives them strategic cover. Means you would earn less but you would have flexibility?

You need to sit down and have this conversation with them. Then you can decide the best way forward

Wouldn't it be simpler for everyone if the arrangement was that you clean the rooms when they've been used so that they are always available for same day bookings.

So you could suggest that your default pattern is 2 hours each morning from say 10-12 so you can always keep the rooms ready, but if they have all been used then you may need to work an hour longer on occasion.

It sounds like the ad hoc schedule worked when they weren't busy, but now they are a more standard schedule would be better for everyone and it's important that you frame it is " Was thinking now we're busier it might make sense for me to have a set pattern each day so the rooms are always ready for late bookings. What do you think?"
If they're not amenable to that, then you need to think how much you want the job.

@rookiemere

Wouldn't it be simpler for everyone if the arrangement was that you clean the rooms when they've been used so that they are always available for same day bookings.

So you could suggest that your default pattern is 2 hours each morning from say 10-12 so you can always keep the rooms ready, but if they have all been used then you may need to work an hour longer on occasion.

It sounds like the ad hoc schedule worked when they weren't busy, but now they are a more standard schedule would be better for everyone and it's important that you frame it is " Was thinking now we're busier it might make sense for me to have a set pattern each day so the rooms are always ready for late bookings. What do you think?"
If they're not amenable to that, then you need to think how much you want the job.

Yes that is what happens. The rooms are cleaned as soon as the guests leave. But if it is a last minute booking I never know how many rooms that may be.

Sorry if I'm not making myself very clear!

Yes I see I need to have a conversation.
I'm away at the moment for a few days and can see frantic WhatsApp 'housekeeping' messages flying around because suddenly all the rooms have been booked out for the next few nights and the person stepping in can't commit to cleaning them all!