To think this isn't how it should work? (0hr contract)

[enuffisenuff]

-name changed-
I am self employed but also work in retail on a 0 hour contract. It has worked well for me so far as I do part time hours but also have the flexibility of being able to leave immediately if needs be and not being obliged to work a certain amount of days in any set period, all of which is documented in my contract.

However a few things have bothered me recently:
-In November I asked to ensure I had a specific day off which I needed in December. I was told that we were not allowed to take days off in December as it was the busy christmas period. Surely due to my terms of contract and that I was giving a months notice (which is what they usually require) getting this day off this should not have been a problem? I didn't push for it but it did annoy me as this job is not meant to hinder my career.
-They casually mentioned (as if it's a given) involving me in things that are above and beyond my job description which would require me to travel and stay away from home basically covering a higher position for no extra pay due to them being short staffed which is not what I signed up for. They would be paying but it would inconvenience me and my work significantly.

I was VERY clear in my interviews about my situation before they hired me. Unfortunately the man who hired me is no longer with the company - we had a verbal agreement that I would be able to cancel and swap days if necessary as long as it didn't become a weekly habit and said that they were more than happy to accommodate me where possible. This is why I accepted the job.

I am now rota'd in months in advance, made to feel guilty if I ask to cancel shifts and expected to travel the country to make up for their lack of resources. I am beginning to feel like i am carrying the few full timers they do have as they are so ridiculously unorganised and unreliable, but that's a whole other story!

I have started saying no to extras (as I used to help out if I could) to try and distance myself. I am happy to stick up for myself but I want to check I'm right first . What about my verbal agreement with the man who interviewed and hired me? Does any one have any experience from either an employee or employer POV? It's really starting to drain me and I'm starting to resent going in which isn't healthy for anybody. AIBU or am I justified in sticking to what I signed up to?

Doesn't a zero hour contract mean that the employer does not guarantee any work at all each week.

This can be disastrous to most of us who need a certain amount of earning pw.

Your problem seems to be that they are giving you more hours than you want.

As I understand it you have your own business and this job as an extra.
Could you give the job up?

Surely if you are on a 0 hours contract you can just say "no" to a shift??? Are you worried that they might just stop giving you enough hours if you don't comply? I know a friend of mine had issues with a manager who would drastically reduce her hours to "punish" her for complaining.

paxtecum Yes, they don't have to give me any hours but as they seem so unorganised and short staffed they have plenty to give me. I am not complaining at all on that front. It is just the fact they dont sem to honour the terms to which I signed up with.

I am not in a position to leave at the moment although I am working on it! My career is art based so if I am not asked to commission something I need to do this job.

missy Yes I am worried I will piss them off as I pride myself in being reliable. This is why I tried so hard to find a suitably flexible job and was so upfront to begin with.

Can you let them know when you are prepared to work

Onesie I was told I could at my interview/hiring stage. Then management changed over within my first week. They set the rotas months in advance. I agreed to do 3/4 days per week on average, then drop out if needs be, or pick up if I'm short of money or have spare time.

"If it sounds too good to be true....." springs to mind

I'm afraid "a verbal contract isn't worth the paper it's written on" (Sam Goldwyn I think?). Check the terms of your written contract.

Terms on my written contract state my job description, and that I am contracted to work 0 hours per week. I also can leave with 0 days notice (I think it becomes 1week after a year)

Place of work is listed as the head office (not where we are based) and on other documents (health and safety) it refers to "other places we may be required to work." I may just refuse any days that are scheduled across the country as they haven't specified my actual place of work in my contract.

I think zero hour contracts should be illegal. More and more businesses are employing people on these contracts but expecting the employees to work above and beyond what is reasonable.

From what i have heard about zero hour contracts is that if you refuse to do days the days that you are asked to work become less and less.

As I've said I'm not in danger of that at all as they have 3 employees in total and need us to work. I will just start sticking to what I want to do from now until I leave.

Thanks