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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To quit my job seeing as they have changed my working days?

32 replies

LuckyAmy1986 · 02/09/2020 14:09

I have been working in a care home two days a week which works around DH's job (it's reception/admin work, not care- for full picture). They now want to switch it so that I work one day at the weekend. I wouldn't have taken the job had I known weekends would be involved, that's family time as far as I am concerned. I like the job but I'm a bit annoyed they have just sprung it on me. Can they do that? AIBU?

OP posts:

RatherBeRiding · 02/09/2020 14:11

What does it say in your contract about working days/hours?

BaconsLaw · 02/09/2020 14:11

What does your contract say? Are they set days?

My boss tried to change my hours but backed down when I pointed out that they formed part of my contract. He did make my working life so unpleasant that I got signed off and had to leave after not getting his way, though...

Armychefbethebest · 02/09/2020 14:12

It's not ideal but I'm pretty sure in the small print of your contract it will say must be flexible to suit the needs of the business

SemperIdem · 02/09/2020 14:13

Yes they can, it’s unlikely your contract states you don’t work weekends. They should have discussed it with you though.

Backtobasics5 · 02/09/2020 14:13

Surely you agreed your pattern. Do you actually have fixed days? Written on a contact? I would not give up my job because I had to work a weekend.

Timeforabiscuit · 02/09/2020 14:16

Refer to your contract before doing anything drastic, do you have a notice period of the change?

Also, it really helps to be in a union, particularly for this kind of thing, otherwise your stuck arbitrating for yourself.

Original poster

LuckyAmy1986 · 02/09/2020 14:19

In the process of digging out my contract. But in the interview, the days were set, it is the same two days every week and I clarified I wouldn't want to work weekends or have my days moved around as I need routine to be able to work around the DC and DH's job - this was verbal though.

@BaconsLaw that's awful.

OP posts:

Original poster

LuckyAmy1986 · 02/09/2020 14:20

@Timeforabiscuit 2 weeks notice

OP posts:

TheHappyHerbivore · 02/09/2020 14:24

You can leave your job at any time for any reason you like. Agree you should check your contract first though in case this isn’t something they can force you to do.

MoverOfPaper · 02/09/2020 14:31

Your contract is what you actually do so change of hours should be by agreement. However if you’ve been there less than two years you could not agree to the change and they could get rid of you with no problems.

dworky · 02/09/2020 14:32

@Backtobasics5

Surely you agreed your pattern. Do you actually have fixed days? Written on a contact? I would not give up my job because I had to work a weekend.

I would.

BluebellsGreenbells · 02/09/2020 14:35

So who else is moving? I assume you doing a weekend means X doesn’t?

Can you compromise on one weekend in 4 or something?

DeltaFlyer · 02/09/2020 14:45

You're not unreasonable to want to stay with your current working pattern. As pp says it depends on the wording in your contract. If they do change your working days you are free to leave find something else.
I did vote yabu however because working in care is a 24/7 buisness so working weekends is inevitable at some point.
Weekends are family time for a lot of people who have to work them.

DeltaFlyer · 02/09/2020 14:46

Ignore me, missed the bit that said admin

Brieminewine · 02/09/2020 14:47

It’s going to come down to what’s in your contract. If it’s working every weekend that’s unfair, but if it was going on a rota so the weekends are shared I think that’s reasonable.Regardless though it’s not what you agreed when you took the job so YANBU for wanting to leave.

user1471457751 · 02/09/2020 15:14

How long have you worked there? You could argue custom and practice if the days aren't in your contract but, ultimately, your employer can change your contract it will just take a bit of time.

Backtobasics5 · 02/09/2020 15:16

@dworky you obviously don’t need the money like I do then

Original poster

LuckyAmy1986 · 03/09/2020 15:53

Thank you everyone, contract states my days and times (that I currently do) and the address of where I work etc, doesn't mention anything about flexibility. Going to take it in to a meeting I have with my boss and discuss it. Not sure what will happen! I don't want any bad feeling either way.

OP posts:

lifestooshort123 · 03/09/2020 15:58

Would it mean you get one of the days off that your partner gets? Could that be a family day? I don't think weekends are as sacrosanct as they used to be so, if they won't changer their minds, perhaps give it a try before handing in your notice.

ProfessorSlocombe · 03/09/2020 16:00

It might be an idea (if you can) to see if other employees have had their work patterns changed and if so, how it was arranged. It's not impossible you've been given the shitty stick as that's all women are worth.

Original poster

LuckyAmy1986 · 03/09/2020 16:08

@lifestooshort123 I just had to look up 'sacrosanct', thanks for teaching me a new word

Thing is, I know this sounds bad, but this was supposed to be something for me to do during the week while kids are at school and DH was at work, because I was very lonely and bored to be honest. It would sort of defeat the point if I switched to when they were around! I do enjoy it though.

@ProfessorSlocombe I might have to do a little digging (carefully)!

OP posts:

CloudsCanLookLikeSheep · 03/09/2020 16:11

They can easily change your contract if they go through the correct consultation period and have due business need.

If you refuse to sign the new contract, its legal to dismiss you. You'd have to argue they didn't have just business need, very difficult.

billy1966 · 03/09/2020 16:29

Once you are prepared to leave OP, you should just tell them that you are only available for the hours you are contracted. End of.

This could be happening to accommodate someone else.

You need to be clear, with regret, that it's a non starter for you because of childcare.

CuriousaboutSamphire · 03/09/2020 16:41

Take your contract with you and say cleary and plainly that, regrettably changes in work days would make the job impossible for you to do due to child care issues. The days you work are the reason you can work. Other days are not feasible.

No mention of diffuclty or wanting family time or any other 'soft' reasoning. That's your female socialisation kicking in. Just the bald fact - you cannot work those days. Ball is then in their court... see what they say.

How log have you worked there?

DPotter · 03/09/2020 16:45

It doesn't matter what your contract states.

Your employer can seek to change your hours, day, place of work, provided they consult with you - advise you of their proposals, listen to any concerns you have and give sufficient notice (can't recall if this is one month or 3). But they can force the change- with notice. If you can't change (and it doesn't matter whether you have a frivolous reason or an absolute cast iron one) - they can make you redundant. You would need to check if they can just sack you - don't think they can, but worth checking.

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