Seriously stressed out about work situation.

[OrlandointheWilderness]

I started a new job in March. I took on the role 4 days a week, 30 hours at a site near home. The job is ok - the staff where I work are absolutely wonderful although the job in itself is a bit dull for me.

However, as part of my training I had a couple of days with the previous lady, who came back to help me learn the ropes. During this, she was astonished that I wasn't doing night shifts. Shortly afterwards the company contacted me to arrange when I was doing nights.
Nights were NOT mentioned at all in the job advert (I have this), in the interview or in the comprehensive training process. I've checked my contract and it stated hours are 'whatever the client requires' which nicely gets them out of it. I have stated categorically I will not be doing nights - I have a DC and my DP works away some nights so actually can't! I have said at no point were nights brought up, and my manager is telling me that I agreed to it on the interview. I didn't. I've not applied for night work on purpose, I hate doing it and can't do it at all. In the interview they asked if I was flexible to finish an hour late or start an hour early to which I said yes, but not thins!! I am 100% sure there is no way they asked, and no way I gave them the impression I could. That isn't even a possibility.

The HR manager has now discussed me in a board meeting and is talking to senior management about me. I'm so upset, I feel like I am being gaslit and I'm so stressed. I've done nothing wrong and I've never be the subject of negative procedure at work before, ever,
A colleague has told me on the QT that they have done the same to a few others in the company as well, which made me think maybe they do it because they struggle to find people to work the shifts.
I'm currently on probation. My work is excellent, I'm good at the job but I feel like I'm under serious pressure and will probably be fired soon. I'm honestly so worried.

Oh what a nightmare! Unfortunately, and I don’t want to add to your worry, I have to say that while you’re on probation, they can let you go for any reason they want (apart from protected characteristics). If they turn round and tell you the job requires night shifts and you refuse, not much you can do.

Of course that stinks and they have done you really dirty. But you can’t do nights, they want you to do nights, there isn’t a way forward if they don’t have a days-only job.

Do other employees in the same job as you do just days or does everyone else do nights?

I feel for you OP, this is a crap situation and they sound utterly chaotic, disorganised and a horrible employer to gaslight you like this. It’s absolutely not a reflection on you.

Shitty tactics from the company. Don’t let them gaslight you. Stick to your guns. You didn’t agree to do nights.

Start applying for other jobs just in case.

I agree with the others.

I'd actually ask to see the notes they made during the interview you attended where they marked down your willingness to be available to do night shifts. You should be able to request this under a subject matter request If they can't produce it, then it becomes a they said/you said situation rather than an actual agreement between both parties.

I also agree with @YellowCloud in thinking you should start looking for alternative work elsewhere. They could literally repeat this behaviour over and over again and not be raising any red flags an an employer because the incoming staff member is on probation and isn't aware of the way things are happening. As you are the person in the role now, you may need to train someone else up if you have to leave/get pushed out, so make sure that they are aware of the situation too.

Yes I'm aware with the probation they can oust me very easily. I'm furious to be honest, it is very much a small company and run by a group of 50 something men and it feels very much like they are putting pressure on me because they think I will be intimidated. I am looking for something else, mainly because I do not want to work for a company like this!

A colleague of mine did tell me they did the same to a group (10-20) they recruited in NI a couple of years ago.

I'm slightly different than many of my similar colleagues as I am fixed where I work and they are mobile. The mobile ones do work shifts but It wasn't advertised as part of the fixed role. In training we even had a laugh and a joke about how much I hated night shifts and was glad I wouldn't be doing them again, not once did they think to raise it?!

Can I ask what work you do that requires you to work nights? I was thinking nursing/care work but sounds unlikely if you work for a small business.

I was in a similar situation. I was part time with young kids. After I started the role and completed the training I was advised I would need to travel around the country and stay overnight in various locations. I had specifically asked in the interview if any overnight stays or travel would be required and I was told no. I never would have taken the job if they answered yes. It made me ill trying to dispute this with them and even the union was no help. I ended up having to leave after 6 months.

It's occupational health testing. I'm fixed site - I have an office at a local food factory.

I would suggest applying for a job in the public sector/NHS you might have to compromise slightly on pay but you will get a lot more flexibility on working hours.