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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Retail job rant!

13 replies

hopelessbusiness · 23/09/2020 14:29

AIBU to think that if a big retailer is only offering maximum 12hr per week contracts, the days should be fixed??
I'm being made redundant and am chasing any sort of work, but I can't live (or get any tax credits etc) on 12 hrs per week. They demand total flexibility and shifts may change week to week.
How is anyone supposed to make this work? I would need to get a job somewhere else but if they can't tell me when I'm working, how can I?
Frustrated and annoyed now!

OP posts:
chesteroo · 23/09/2020 19:53

Zero hour contracts are even worse -
If you explain you need 16 minimum for benefit entitlement they may be able to accomodate. I worked in a clothing shop on 16hr contract and often worked fulltime hours. Tax credits would work on a yearly amount (I believe) and so long as your hours average 16hrs you should be okay.

doctorhamster · 23/09/2020 20:07

I haven't worked in retail since I was a student but having fixed shifts was very rare back then. It makes it impossible to plan anything and god knows how parents of young children are supposed to cope with it. Have you asked them
If fixed shifts would be possible?

Caterinaballerina · 23/09/2020 20:13

The old saying of it’s always easier to negotiate once you are inside. It’s a good few years since I worked in retail as a student. I was able to set some fixed days I could work around studying but was then open to any time for the shift. When the shifts were set they were often quite far in advance. I would then plan in shifts in my casual bar job around that. I got the occasional problem because I’d not be able to have my shifts swapped with having made other arrangements but i was fairly open (and could blame the other job when really I didn’t want to work because I was going out!) If you aren’t thinking the job will be massively long term then just play along and do what you need to to get the job and the hours that suit you.

LakieLady · 23/09/2020 20:13

This is impossible to manage for anyone with children, unless they're lucky enough to have a partner who can work whenever they like.

It stinks imo.

bookmum08 · 23/09/2020 20:16

Yep retail sucks. 12 hours is good (Hmm) often it's 4.
You usually have to be available for whatever trading hours - ie from 6 am Monday - 6 pm Sunday. Might be a Monday morning. Might be a Thursday until midnight. Maybe Sunday afternoon. Who knows? It's like a spin the wheel and see what day you get. Oh and those 4 hours will never actually be 4. They always want you to do overtime. Obviously good if you want it but dare to say "actually no I can't work that day because I have to take my granny to the doctor" and you are marked as a bad employee (of course you said you'd take granny because you are supposed to only work 4 hours so you have time to do it.....)
Retail sucks.

Original poster
hopelessbusiness · 23/09/2020 20:17

@doctorhamster I did ask - pointed out I would need another job alongside this one. Completely impossible apparently, and shifts only assigned a week in advance so impossible to work around 😡
Back to the drawing board...

OP posts:
nevermorelenore · 23/09/2020 20:37

Tesco, Sainsbury's etc all seem to advertise vacancies for specific shifts, so I am assuming they are fixed. Also, Next tend to offer set shifts, although our local one only seems to want people on 4 hour contracts which is a bit shit.

emilyfrost · 23/09/2020 20:41

It’s rare to get fixed shifts in retail; it doesn’t fit their business model very well. They also tend to have more people wanting jobs than vacancies so it’s not an issue for them.

Forgone90 · 23/09/2020 20:50

I'm afraid during all This we can't be picky, I know plenty of people that have apued for over 50 jobs with no interview. I think there was a piece on the news about a hotel receptionist job that had over 1500 applications.

Sounds harsh but I would grab it with both hands as you are lucky to be getting work. In this current climate.

Babyroobs · 23/09/2020 21:14

Do you have kids? Why are you so keen to stay on tax credits. If you switched to Universal credit it wouldn't matter that it was only 12 hours. You would be expected to look for more hours but it sounds like you are anyway. Some people ( especially if working) are better off on UC. It may be worth putting your details into a benefit checker to see as there may be little difference. Also if you get variable hours each week or get offered overtime etc, UC would just adjust itself each month unlike tax credits where you need to keep reporting the change or end up with an overpayment.

Original poster
hopelessbusiness · 23/09/2020 21:55

@Forgone90 I don't think I'm being picky! I'm just trying to find a way of earning enough to pay the bills and feed my children! Can't do that on 12hrs...
@Babyroobs will look into UC, have no experience of it but just hear horror stories. Might be a way forward...

OP posts:
MrsShelton · 23/09/2020 21:57

which retailer op?

LindaEllen · 23/09/2020 22:44

To be honest, I think it's quite comment to expect 12 hours but those could be any days. My partner isn't in retail, but his hours are 20/week on any week day .. so we really can't plan because he doesn't get much notice, and he basically has to be available for when they need him.

It might be worth having a read over your contract and see what it says.

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