Extra work hours

[Seasidesunday]

Where I work we have had a member of staff retire this means that there are 2 shifts needing covering every weekend I already work the Saturday. We’ve all been made to pick up an extra 2 shifts a month so I would end up working 2 Sundays a month meaning I only get 2 weekend days off fully. I’ve only been made aware of the changes last week but have said I am limited to the shifts I can cover due to pre arranged plans on Sundays as it’s my only day off. I’ve said I’m ok to work some Sundays but not as many as they want me to. My work contract states my hours and mentions being flexible with shifts or something along those lines but I assumed and was led to believe it meant covering sickness and the odd holiday. Do i have any rights can I refuse. I don’t want to make my collage’s take on all the shifts but Sunday is also the only day spent with my partner.

Is this extra hours overall, or change of timings? So for example you get a weekday off when you do your weekend ones

If your contract states flexible times and it's within your number of contracted hours, you would technically be required to do it

Is everyone there in the same boat or do some prefer weekends and you could do some swaps?

How long do they expect before they can fill the vacancy? That'd be my first question. Do you get breaks off on other days, there are limits to how many consecutive days you can be forced to work. Not that that helps if your partner does other days.

If they're not planning on replacing them, start looking for a new job, they're taking the piss.

It’s extra hours so Say I work 4 days a week I would now work 5

They don’t want to replace the cover as everyone else is happy to pitch in and cover his 2 weekend shifts

So they want to change your contracted hours ? They're not allowed to.

If it's a matter of choice, as it appears to be for your colleagues, it is perfectly in order for you to say you won't be working Sundays, and you don't want to pick up extra weekend shifts. If they want to , that's up to them.
The management has the option of taking on someone new to replace the retiree, and it seems the reason they are not doing so is because everyone else wants to work extra shifts. Doesn't mean you have to. Just don't let them think you are happy to do it and then change your mind - best to be upfront. Don't even say you will do occasional Sundays, as they will then see that as you offering, when in fact your position is that you don't want to.

If your contract states 30 hours Monday-Sunday as as when required by business and your doing 30hours over those days that’s fine

But if it’s 30hours and now your doing 34 they can’t change it without consultation

I will find my contract but it’s states my days/ hours I work are flexible in that the company can request I take on extra hours but it was always for sickness and holiday as no one’s ever left but I’m guessing that’s what they will say is that it’s in my contract the others have taken them on as it’s in there contract or that’s what they think

You need to check the wording
If it's 'request' you can turn it down

Would it be moving you from part time to full time too?