To be upset and disappointed my employers have done this?

[mnsletmedown]

I work for a major, well known retailer (office based)(clue in my name)!

When I took the job (full time), I knew I would have to work every third weekend, which I was fine about. I took the job because my ex said he would help out with DD (3.6) on my working weekend. He has now withdrawn this offer

So, I've been relying on family and friends to look after her, but I feel like I'm taking advantage now, my parents are 70, not in the best of health, my SIL works full time and has her own two kids. Other friend works and has two kids.

So I approached my manager and asked if I dropped to two days a week, could I lose the weekends. They went away, discussed with other managers etc and said yes. Foolishly I didn't get this in writing, only verbally but was told all along it was agreed!

So I'm given my start date (in two weeks)and cancel my daughters nursery days. Today I get called aside by my manager, (I'm expecting to sign contracts etc) they said another higher level manager has decided its not acceptable and said I can't do the two days, as I have to do weekends Apparently some other girls in other departments asked to do the same and they were told no, so I can't do it. However, my circumstances are different, I know they are not lone parents. So surely, the decision should be based on individual circumstances, not a group thing?

So any ideas where I stand on this, I'm so naffed off, I'm going to speak to the person who has changed the decision and ask her what she based her decision on? But how do I go about it, what do I say etc? What rights have I got?

Thanks

Without it in writing you have no rights, you are asking them to change the terms of your employment contract, with nothing in writing you have no leg to stand on. I would ask though the person who made the decision if they would reconsider bearing in mind you have no childcare in place for your child on the weekend you are supposed to work.

There are flexible working guidlines (maybe laws hopefully someone will clarify) but as far as I am aware some contracts do require you do work odd shifts. My dh has to work 2 night, 2 morning and 2 afternoon shifts in a week for example, it's just part of his job. Where I work (a bank) branch based colleagues have to work every other Saturday.

I hate the argument that we have to do the same for everyone. Its more complicated but I think employers generally should be more open to the idea that you could do different things for different people (but then, there are probably legal implications, accusations of favouritism etc to worry about). I think you are right to speak the person concerned but try not to get too personal or emotional - your ex being a pain is not her problem. Good luck

Parents have the right to request flexible working but it doesn't amount to a hill of beans in practice because employers are not obliged to allow it. I'm afraid your contract of employment stands as they have not formally agreed to alter it, so you have no right to hold them to your manager's original decision.

unfortunately I can see there point of view. If you are given this concession I can see all the other parents wanting to. People don't like working weekends unfortunately.

Can you look for a childminder who will work one weekend in 3 for you (or perhaps one in 6 so your family doesn't have to help so much) or you could look at hiring a nanny? If they are registered you can claim for CTC for a nanny just like you can nursery.

Your circumstances probably are different and they may not be lone parents. But chances are, it doesn't suit many peoples' circumstances to work weekends and most people will have their own individual circumstances they can argue.

Oh dear. I am sure there are childminders who would look after your dd I know I would if it would help.

I dont think your employer is being unreasonable. I think your childs father is the one who you should be taking issue with.

Employers do have to consider flexible working requests carefully - they can't just reject them out of hand. ACAS and the Equalities Commission will have guidance about this on their websites - if your employer has not followed the procedures properly you may have a stronger case. But ultimately they can say 'no' if they can demonstrate there are good business reasons.

Your ex is a piece of work, sabotaging you like this - really, how pathetic, he'd hurt his own dd in order to get at you? Because it will affect her if you can't do your job.

Are you aware you have the option to 'opt out' of Sunday working? This might mean you lose a bit of money (don't know if you get time and a half or double time for a Sunday) but it means only one day rather than a whole weekend to cover.

Bear in mind that you are already lucky only having to work one in three. In my store, and all in my region, it's at least one in two. There are a few exceptions though these are rare and tend to be people with very long service who've negotiated it with previous managers, or newer starts who were given that contract initially. These people are often gossiped about for their brown-nosing luck whether true or not.

Whenever this is discussed with senior managers their reaction is usually along the lines of "this is retail - what do they expect?" They do have a point but it's a career to them and a close to minimum wage job to most of their staff. I feel for you.

Thanks everyone, I don't think they have followed procedures ie not gone through HR, just made the decision? SIL is in HR, she said to ask to see their flexible working policy, ask for their decision in writing, and how I appeal? I know they don't have to say yes if its not good for business, but should be done as an individual?

Not sure I can go through with all that, will just look for another job, but will miss the 20% discount!

You should have access to a staff handbook or similar - the procedures on how to apply should be in there. That would be a good starting point.

is there anything that you could persuade them to do temporarily / in the short term, on the basis that they verbally agreed something with you and you made plans in good faith on that basis.

As they have now changed things you are left in a tricky position as you have changed things based on the agreement you had - hopefully there is something in writing from them saying they are changing their decision to you (ie showing that they did agree to it at one point) - and it's not possible to re-sort it out as quickly as they need.