Wibu to insist on Sundays off?

[Sharkirasharkira]

I'll just start my saying that I am looking for another job and as soon as something else comes up I will be leaving but my industry only really recruits at certain times of the year so realistically I am probably going to be here for at least another 3 months or so.

My contract is due to change in January, it stipulates that I have to work at least one weekend day because weekends are a busy time for the business. Fair enough.

I have no issue with working any day, except Sunday. Since I took the job my circumstances have changed and I am now reliant on public transport which is not available on Sunday. I can't afford a taxi as it is very expensive and I don't currently have the storage space or finances to buy alternatives such as a bicycle. None of my colleagues live near me to offer lifts. So basically working Sundays means I have to walk almost 10 miles to get there and back. My job is physically demanding and involves very few breaks and long stretches standing on my feet.

Wibu to insist on no longer working Sundays from when my contract changes and if need be make up a reason why I can't work this shift anymore? I have asked my manager to not give me these shifts already but she still puts me on almost every week and tbh I'm exhausted with the effort of just trying to make it in and home again on that day, never mind the actual work day itself! Especially with the weather being cold, wet and miserable it's awful having to travel so far on foot and any other day I would have alternative options, just not that day! There are plenty of others who can work that day. Wibu?

You can ask...... but I don’t think you can insist.

Any of this relevant op?

www.gov.uk/sunday-working

I would be honest with them. Tell them you are more than happy to work Saturdays but cannot do Sundays as you can not physically get there.

Hmm, I'm not sure @Pumpkintopf, my contract (which I have agreed to) only stipulates that at least one weekend day must be worked but doesn't specify which one. I have no problem working Saturdays so technically I'm not in breach of my contract by refusing Sundays. We were asked to fill out a form ahead of the contract change stating our availability and I specifically excluded Sundays and yet I'm still being put on the rota for them! I'm just getting a little sick of my wishes being ignored when I feel I have good reason to not want to do that day and there are multiple other staff members who can work that day with no such issues.

Technically you can refuse Sunday working. Whether you'd get your contract renewed or not is another matter!

I think I'd try formally opting out citing the legislation and see what they say!

Would it be worth finding a colleague who doesn't want to work Saturdays and suggesting you cancel each other out ?
It might be there is someone else for whom working Sundays works out much better.

This is a useful link-

www.personneltoday.com/hr/legal-qa-sunday-working/

-you don't mention what work you do so hard to know if you'd be classed as a 'shop worker' but the link above has broader definitions.

I had a job at uni and said I would only work weekdays even though it was retail. They were ok with it. Just be clear that it's not reasonably possible for you, that you have tried to accommodate them over the last 3 months but can't do this going forward. That you are very flexible on the other 6 days but if they need you on a Sunday they need to provide transport for that shift. Polite but clear. Put it in writing. Ideally an email so you have a paper trail.