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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Forced to change my days at work.

71 replies

PiperIsTerrysChoclateOrange · 16/04/2015 19:46

I work set days which was agreed with my manager when I came back off maternity leave 8 years ago.

Had a meeting last week and another one tomorrow.

I know they can do this as my contact doesnt specify days just hours.

If I don't agree I will have 13 weeks to find another job or my contact will be terminated.

The reason is because it no longer fits in with with the nature of the job.

Union said there is nothing I can do also acas.

What's the point in all these policies if an employer can basically force you to change hours worked.

OP posts:
mrsmalcolmreynolds · 16/04/2015 19:51

But you're not having your hours changed are you? Is there a reason you can't change the days you work? Is it correct that the days you work no longer fit in with the nature of the work? I think more details are needed.

isittheweekendyet · 16/04/2015 19:53

Er, because your employer has to balance the needs of their business with the preferences of their employees. If there's a genuine business reason for changing your hours because the times / days you're working does not suit the business anymore then they can change your contract providing they follow the correct process and consult with you properly. How significant a change are they proposing and what are your reasons for not agreeing to the change - all of these things should be being discussed as part of the consultation if an informal agreement can't be reached.

Original poster
PiperIsTerrysChoclateOrange · 16/04/2015 19:55

Ds has autism and routine is very important. The hours are the same but I will be rotated at 4 weeks at the time. Including weekends in which I normally have off.

OP posts:
PrimalLass · 16/04/2015 19:57

It might be worth taking some advice on this one/

Original poster
PiperIsTerrysChoclateOrange · 16/04/2015 19:57

I have, everything my employer is doing is legal.

OP posts:
isittheweekendyet · 16/04/2015 19:57

You need to go into your meetings with an open mind and be prepared to listen and offer up solutions. How old is ds, is he at school, how many hours a day do you work, what is the exact proposal as your message isn't clear, will it be a fixed 4 week rota?

Emo76 · 16/04/2015 19:59

Is it at all realistic that you could find another job on the days you wish to work and leave?

PuntasticUsername · 16/04/2015 19:59

You're stuck, then. Much as I sympathise, it's not your employer's responsibility to design your job specifically to fit around your home life. Sucky for you though.

DisappointedOne · 16/04/2015 19:59

Might not change the decision, but you're entitled to submit a new flexible working request. However, it may be better to focus on coping strategies for your son to deal with changes like these - he's not going to be able to go through life with everything staying the same.

glittertits · 16/04/2015 20:00

Well then start looking for new work if it really can't work for you?

Annoying as it is, your terms were agreed 8 years ago. Businesses develop, and it sounds like yours has new needs. Nothing untoward there.

Original poster
PiperIsTerrysChoclateOrange · 16/04/2015 20:01

Plus I have already booked and paid for childcare for the summer school hoildays. Which DH and I have both used annual leave to cover. 1/2 term childcare is already in place.

I have booked 2 long weekends away and looking forward to my friends wedding.

Sorted out DC birthdays, mine and DH anniversary and other things from now until August.

OP posts:
Original poster
PiperIsTerrysChoclateOrange · 16/04/2015 20:02

Not a fixed rota.

Can't find another job.

OP posts:
DisappointedOne · 16/04/2015 20:03

When are they introducing the change? You mention 13 weeks.

glittertits · 16/04/2015 20:05

Why can't you find another job?

isittheweekendyet · 16/04/2015 20:06

Either you're not sharing the full info here or you're not aware from your employer the full details. Tell us what you work each week at present and what this will look like after the changes.

I agree that it's not your employers responsibility to work around your family situation, however if you have to arrange childcare to enable you to work on a weekly basis, then it doesn't feel reasonable based on what you've said that you won't have a fixed rota - how far in advance will you know what days you're working?

Original poster
PiperIsTerrysChoclateOrange · 16/04/2015 20:08

I will know 4 weeks in advance of my days off are.

Currently I work 7am to 3pm on a Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

New working pattern is that I could be in any day of the week.

OP posts:
lanbro · 16/04/2015 20:08

Are they not prepared to honour holidays already booked?

To be honest, in this day and age of 24/7 business/services, I think anyone is lucky not to work weekends! I have for years until recently, and only now because we have our business so can choose my days!

Emo76 · 16/04/2015 20:09

Could you propose that they leave arrangements as they are until August, that wouldn't break your child care arrangements and would give you more time to get sorted?

YellowTulips · 16/04/2015 20:09

I'm not sure what you are asking here.

Your employer is within their rights to change your days of work.

If this was an issue its one you should have addressed at the point of signing your employment contract.

You're not unreasonable to be upset about it, but your employer is not being unreasonable to make this change.

If your asking if its morally right to do this - it's a bit of a moot point tbh. However it's impossible to say.

If you not changing your hours would impact the business to the effect jobs might be at risk or staff being asked to reduce hours and thus suffer reduced income then it's not morally wrong either.

I doubt it's something being requested on a whim.

maddening · 16/04/2015 20:10

If they are moving round days surely they can move round the holidays so you still have the same days off in the holidays as per your childcare arrangements - or ask if the holidays can be accommodated as these were booked pre this request and if Dh is off weekends you might need less childcare where you hit weekends

PeterParkerSays · 16/04/2015 20:11

But those are issues for you, not for your employer. Ifyou want to change their mind, you need to stress a business case why your hours shouldn't change e.g. the complexity of the case you deal with on a Friday afternoon or your experience of doing y on the Thursday which other staff don't have, and how only you can make those phone calls on Monday and Tuesday morning so you can't work at the weekend.

herethereandeverywhere · 16/04/2015 20:12

If you have been doing those same hours for 8 years (per your OP) then I think they are as good as being written into a contract.

Legally they can ask you to change. You do not have to accept. If you do not I think this could be a redundancy situation as your role in its current form (the specific days) does not exist anymore.

I'm surprised your advice has been that this is totally above board and that there is nothing you can do. Perhaps there are more facts that you haven't shared?

Original poster
PiperIsTerrysChoclateOrange · 16/04/2015 20:12

If I could start after August then it would give me the time to get Ds used to the new routine. Then feel more relaxed.

Would that be an unreasonable request

OP posts:
herethereandeverywhere · 16/04/2015 20:13

Or are you outside the UK?

OwlinaTree · 16/04/2015 20:15

That sucks, feel for you. Could you work out exactly how flexible you can be, so you are going in with an offer? Ie, what days can you do on rota between what times, can you do weekends if dh is at home? Also I think they will have to let you re book holiday if they are changing your days, surely?