Crazy Shifts! 50hr week part time

[OdeToDiazepam]

Started a new job and from the beginning I stated part time over 4 days

The training was 5 days and intensive but I understood that was just for a few weeks.

Now the job has started and I'm being repeatedly put down for 5 days approx 40
Hours! Over the whole weekend too and consecutive pms which I don't get out til 1/2 even half 2 in the morning at times.

When I applied we weren't told what the exact shifts were and I've said my preference is am in the week and pm at weekends due to childcare but I also don't want to be working all weekend ever weekend as it's not fair on my family who have my children and I won't get to spend time with the kids.

I've raised the issue with 2 managers one who tried to guilt me into taking on another day that week and made out I was being unreasonable

The other said if I'm already rotad I need to find someone to pick it up so I can release the shift

I want to tell them look it's not workable for me with my children. I want to work am
In the week and maybe one weekend shift each week. Can I dictate this? I'm worried about getting in trouble.

I don't know if I'm guaranteed hours or not they haven't said

All weekend is expected in most restaurants. Patty timers I worked with did either double shift all weekend or Thurs, Fri, sat night, Sunday lunchtime. Those are the shifts that need the most cover, the full timers tend to get the day shifts between them so maybe five lates one early or they work double split shifts 10-5 & 7-1. Your needs and restaurant work really don't match.

Well it's called am but it's basically afternoon

You have to say No, I can't do those shifts. Stop worrying about "getting in trouble" whatever that means, they're not your mum or a teacher telling you off for forgetting your homework!

If you can't do it then you just can't. As pps have said you may need to accept that this job isn't for you and frankly I'd be looking for something else as this employer is obviously happy to ride roughshod over their staff.

I don't know if I'll be disciplined they've already disciplined someone else for something quite minor!

I can look for a new job but I don't know how easy it'll be to get

I’m guessing you are on a zero hours contract. If you can’t do the shifts leave. I very much doubt you can dictate your hours. When you give ‘preferences’ it’s just that- a preference, that’s not an indictor that you will get it. They’ll put you where they need you, it’s the needs of the business that will come first.

Remember working time directive, is an EU directive- what’s gonna happen when we leave? Genuine question to those that can answer. Is there another directive in place instead?

You need to ask what your contracted hours are and what they expect you to work every week. Dont let them guilt trip or bullying you into working more then you can. Get to know employment law and the policies they have in place. You shouldn't be doing 50 hours a week. I work 14 hours a day and do 2-3 days a week my contract is 150 a month. I never go over that. If I say I no to extra hours they except it.

I think we already break that directive because we don't get a break unless we work a double shift

There's a difference between preference and availability though, you can definitely tell them when you are available and when you are unavailable and they will perhaps take that more seriously than preference.

Speaking from experience, if I told them I'd prefer not to work a Saturday night, I'd probably still be on the rota to work it, but if I told them I had a commitment on Saturday nights I wouldn't ever be put on for it.

Your needs and restaurant work really don't match

I think zippy might be right but it's unfair of them to give you the impression you had a choice and then just roster you in full time.

Sorry Op but if you need the job but really can't do those hours you either need to insist on a proper discussion and see if it can be sorted or you accept that it's not the job for you.

This sounds horrible op.

Firstly I would contact the manager and try and arrange a time when you can have a meeting. Perhaps before the restaurant opens for example. Explain the situation in your meeting. See what manager's response is. If they wont/can't meet could you put it in an email?

If that does nothing then contact acas and get some advice but also start looking for another job.

At least it sounds like you won't have to give any notice.

That was only my situation though

The problem is, the shifts you're saying you can't do, is what's expected in hospitality. They need people to work weekends and evenings because those are the busiest periods. If they give someone those shits off, then everyone wants it and it becomes really hard to sort rotas and to have enough staff.

Unfortunately, you've picked an industry that's known for long hours and very little flexibility. It's not really conducive with having young children and needing weekends/evenings free.

how long is a shift?

I'm sorry to say OP, from what I know of hospitality, things like breaks do go out of the window. also have one friend who was threatened with no food break because her team wasn't performing well that day.

I do think it's worth saying no and seeing what happens but then use the free time to look for another job.

Ok so could I get disciplined or lose my job if I say look I'm now unavailable for these times? Yes I'd like to have a proper conversation with my manager but I'm worried if I did it formally there'd be the GM as well and I'd be very intimidated

PS I would bet money no one even looked at what you wrote on the form re 25 hours etc.

www.gov.uk/browse/employing-people/contracts

You should be getting a break, if you work 6 hours you should be getting at least a 20 minute break.

I would leave that job, they don't sound like a good company to work for, they aren't following any of the rules.

Standards pm shift is 9-10 hours a double can be up to 15

We've been categorically told no breaks unless we work at least 11 hours

Do you have a written contract? from your answers it doesn't sound as if you do.

If you’ve worked there less than 2 years you actually have very few rights I’m afraid.
Surely the best thing would be to start looking for something that suits you better?
You can try talking to them again, but essentially they are giving you shifts they need covering- if you can’t do them, it’s not really their problem.

Why would you want to stay in a job like that?

I've looked and no I don't think I have a contract but I did sign lots of stuff

I accepted the job offer but didn't get a contract

As for why I'd stay well we only just found that out after weeks of training!