Can my employer legally radically change my job description?

[HeadUnicorn]

My co. is going through a change program. They have drastically reduced headcount and are now saying that our jobs are changing. They’ve given us a new job description with no consultation and asked us to sign it in agreement. They’ve given no deadline, and I’ve not signed it yet as I don’t agree with it.

Now I’m a really flexible person, but these changes are drastic. It’s as drastic as my role being office based, and customer focused, and now I’m out in the warehouse with a high viz jacket moving things around. The other day I spent half the day doing a very physical task that I now see as quite dangerous and I have had no H&S training for keeping safe whilst completing the task. Getting injured is not an option as I have a lot of people relying on me.

Is it legal to change my role this drastically? I feel coerced into signing the new job description plus I feel that if I do I won’t be able to physically do the job. I’m talking lugging heavy stuff around. I’ve gone from being Sandra in credit control, doing a very good job, to being Trevor the forklift truck driver. This is only a slight exaggeration, believe me!

It really depends on the extent of the difference. If you have gone from an office based role to a very physical warehouse based one then it’s unlikely to be a suitable alternative and you can argue that you should be made redundant from your old role.

They cannot change your job description that drastically without your consent, which is why they want you to sign. However, if your old job no longer exists and you do not accept the change they are likely to make you redundant.

They can certainly redefine your role though there is supposed to be a reasonable consultation first. However the purpose of the consultation is effectively just to give you time to resign if you don't want to accept the new deal. They have no obligation to keep employing you on the old deal if they no longer need that work done. If the new role is the same pay and hours then you aren't being made redundant so resigning is the only option.

However you would be perfectly reasonable to refuse to do anything that requires H&S training for if you haven't had the necessary training. H&S is everyone's responsibility.

They expect me to do my old job, plus this one on top. So, say Tues isn’t busy, go into the warehouse and cover absences, extra work.

It’s very physical. It’s a lot of lugging about. I just got a shower and I’ve a 2.5 inch green and purple bruise on my arm from where I bashed it the other day lugging things around.

Re H&S, this is an example. I’ve not had training on lifting, moving, keeping safe etc. Someone told me that some of the things I did alone usually require a person to spot you whilst you’re doing it.

If I hurt myself I think I’d be well within my rights to take them to a tribunal.

If you keep doing the job you've effectively agreed to the new job role, doesn't matter that you've not signed.

Is there a union? If so speak about your health abd safety concerns. I would just refuse to do the tasks that I believe I need training for.

If you want them to make you redundant just tell them it's not suitable alternative work and your not doing it.

Legally change job description = yes
The scale of change required review & consultation

The major issue is the lack of manual handling training (how to lift, when to lift with others, what MHE manual handling equipment to use AND a full induction into the warehouse
activities

Giving you a high vis implies that there are risks in the warehouse that require people to be seen such as people moving around - and possibly equipment moving around

There is a degree of personal responsibility - you should refuse to lift & move without manual handling training - they can argue that you self injured with a bad lift - but by making you lift without training they are responsible for your ignorance on the heavy item

A basic level of training can be covered by a YouTube video.

Watch one yourself but don’t tell them - you must be officially trained and logged as such - and you must be trained and familiarised with the items and activities of that warehouse