To be cross that I have been told I must work 7 days a week for the whole of January?

[Yawnarama]

I normally work 4 days per week; Saturdays and Sundays, plus two days during the week. This cuts down the cost of childcare for us as we only need it on the 2 weekdays I work.

Due to staff holidays and a couple of longterm sicknesses, I have been told by my supervisor that I must work 7 days a week for whole of January. Apart from the fact that I don't wish to do it as I'll be exhausted, I have absolutely zero childcare to enable me to do this. I might be able to get my parents' to cover the odd day but that's about it. My supervisor wouldn't listen to reason at all and her suggestion what that my DH (who earns far more than me) took unpaid parental leave to cover the month so that I can work.

I am generally very flexible. I work extra hours after my shifts if necessary, and will try to cover the odd day at short notice if at all possible, but I think this is very very unfair.

I know about the working time directive law, but if I don't do as I'm told then I can imagine my work time won't be very pleasant. The supervisor is very prickly anyway and has a lot of mood swings.

Feel between a rock and a hard place tbh.

just say NO, I would she's obvs buggered this up somewhere along the line and she has identified you as someone who would go out of your way to be helpful and she is taking advantage.

Tell her you cant get childcare so sorry

as the others have said it is also illegal, but I bet if you said no to her then she would leave you alone.

Do as everyone says, join union ASAP, refuse to do this ridiculous work load, contact HR. Then keep a very detailed log of any instances of bullying or unreasonable requests or behaviour from the supervisor, so that you have ammunition for a "constructive dismissal" case should it be necessary.

Yes can't work more than 48 hours a week and one day off per week:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Working_Time_Directive

I think need to contact HR (and join a union if relevant) - and say that you can't work 7 days a week, but you could manage a couple of extra days during January IF YOU CAN FIND CHILDCARE and that once you have spoken to your parents you'll confirm which day or days these can be.

Point out that your DH can't take unpaid leave as he earns much more than you (unless they match his pay for those days) so you aren't out of pocket.

Or they could pay for an emergency nursery for a couple of days (if this is something you'd agree to and if it suits your DC's ages - my DH's company gives us 10 days a year at nursery and its been quite useful - less so for older children etc.

FWIW I work extra days in January as its our busiest month - I usually do 3 days but do 4 in January and everyone things I am being flexible - I take the days off during the school holidays in lieu so its a win win situation.

Agree with those saying that there are rules regarding number of days off in a period that long. Loving Chaz's answer tho.

Are there any days you can get cover? And go back to her, and her boss with what you CAN do out of that lot, added in with and I can't work more than X days consecutively without breaking the law as per Chaz.

Even if your contract stipulates you to work addition hours during busy periods, that's v vague and a tribunal type situation would be looking at what is 'reasonable' (a v vague term at best). Going from 4 days per week to 7 for 4 consecutive wks is not reasonable any which way.

Also, just because it's in a contract doesn't mean its legally enforceable if they are considered unfair terms & conditions (especially happens at small companies who don't seek professional advice when drawing up contracts of employment).

A contract doesn't override the law.