Over this new shift rota at work?

[Trayble]

Just really hoping that someone may be able to give me some advice.
I started my current job 2 Years ago and worked 2 x9 hour shifts a week; one early shift and one late.

I work in an industry that’s not been operating much throughout covid so we’ve been furloughed on and off for long periods and at the end of last summer they made us sign contracts saying that due to different business needs we needed to be flexible otherwise they’d have to reconsider our role in the business.
Just before lockdown I separated from my husband (it was very sudden) and told my managers and they were very supportive so I took a leap of faith, hoped for the best and signed thinking they knew my situation and would hopefully be fair. I often worked overtime, extra days and at last minute before lockdown plus I’ve never called in sick and I know I’m a good worker.

They’ve sent out the new months rota today and they have put me on 4 lates a week working till 10pm one week it’s 5 lates! I just don’t have the childcare to facilitate this. Plus this is due to start in 10 days.

My parents have kindly offered to have them once and my EXH will have them once (he also works shifts) but I just can’t do 4. Im remortgaging currently to buy XH out and can’t afford to leave this job just yet.
I feel totally helpless. We have got a meeting on Monday morning but I’m worried if I say I’m struggling for childcare they’ll let me go.
Honestly don’t know what to do.

Aibu to be panicking over this?

Does your contracted hours still say 18?

Yes still 18 hours but split it's divided over the month now so it's shorter shifts.

Ok.

How far in advance do you and ex get your shifts? I think the further in advance the better, then you can both look at the rotas and plan out where the DC are staying.

It may be worth both of you negotiating a bit with employers for some of the shifts to be fixed - and that will work if your favour if you each set the shifts no one wants.

So if you always work Saturday nights but get Friday nights guaranteed off, then ex does the opposite.

Can you ask if you can swap with someone?

So you have gone from 9hr shifts to 4.5hrs or less.... nightmare. Assuming it's hospitality I can see why they are doing it presumably they are open much reduced hours and not expecting alot of lunchtime trade... but definatley talk to them as that will be really hard to work around.
Feels like once your mortgage is sorted though you'll need to look for another job. There seems to be a lot of hospitality jobs going around here not sure it is the same everywhere... maybe a good time to move on?

I can understand why they have done it, business need.

You need to find another job

Talk to them on monday. There may be other options, but they're not going to consider them if they don't know there's a problem!

See if you can swap with anyone as there might be someone in the opposite position, eg someone who has a daytime commitment like a college/university course and wants an evening job.