Overtime at work

[user90009890]

I work in retail and I am contracted to work 20 hours per week, I use to work full time but reduced my hours after I was diagnosed with cancer 5 years ago. I now work Tuesday - Friday 9 - 2.30.
I have a new manager who is constantly asking me to work overtime, I have explained that I suffer with fatigue and don't want overtime but he has told me that i am not a team player as I am not doing any overtime.
He keeps telling me that he will change my shift patterns to full days (which I will struggle with) and also that he will change my days off so I don't have 3 days off in a row which helps me a lot with my fatigue as it gives me 3 days to rest rather than one day off which he wants to change my pattern to.
Are most workplaces like this or just mine?

speak to HR? he is being totally unreasonable

Agree with @aerkfjherf speak with HR.

Agree with pps , talk to HR. Sorry your new manager is making life horrible.

I don't understand why they would employ someone for 20 hours and then constantly pressure you into doing overtime.

They should have employed someone for more hours if they needed it.

I agree with PP, speak to HR as it is discriminatory. You have a disability.

You had cancer, OP, which means you’re legally covered by the disability provisions in the equality act.

That includes the right to reasonable adjustments (your half day shifts), and the right not to be discriminated against by something arising in consequence of your disability (fatigue). And further, not to be victimised for making a complaint by having your shift patterns changed…

It could well be worth a grievance. Not every workplace is like that, but managers who are uneducated and not trained in equality law can be.

Search Ben Askins on YouTube and watch a couple of shorts, your situation sounds exactly like the people who write in to him. Has he ever said this in an email or text/WhatsApp msg? I’d be sending screenshots to HR.

They can't just change your contract without your say so.

Plus, you're covered under the DDA....the disability discrimination act.

It's dreadful he's making you feel guilty by saying you're not a "team player"....you play with your team for 20 hours per week, as your contract.

Stand your ground and DO NOT give in.

Go to the Citizens Advice Bureau and get them to print some legal information off, that he can read and understand!

Your manager is an arse hole.

He is the only one in the ‘team’ bothered by this as he has to try to find employees willing to do overtime. It is entirely his problem not yours or any other employees problem. Your colleagues won’t care that you do or don’t do overtime and probably don’t even notice you don’t do any.

Not all managers are like this, but when they are, it’s no wonder staff turnover is high.

pp have given good advice as what to do.

This.

And he can't just change your hours to FT without your consent. He's your manager, not your owner!

Raise a grievance, OP.

Does the manager know why you have reduced your hours? If so then definitely go to HR.

Start here. Your manager may not know why you have reduced hours.

I’d send them a factual email clearly outlining that you have had cancer, you have agreed ongoing reasonable adjustments in the past relating to your cancer (which is covered by the Equality Act) and, as a result, you will not be undertaking any overtime.

No drama, just facts. No cc to anyone at this point.
Email trail in case it needs escalating.

Because they can try and guilt you into working more hours during busy periods when they need it, but have no obligation to pay for a certain number of hours when they don't.

This advice is spot on! (HR Manager here.)
Good luck op.

He sounds an absolute toad. What did HR say?