Hi - I hope someone can help me, because my DH and I are really worried.
I will try to keep this brief.
My DH has been working for his current employers for 9 years. He works Monday - Friday 5:30am - 2pm. There is a degree of flexibility, and he has frequently worked later including weekends and evenings, but has also sometimes finished earlier. This has always been on an ad-hoc basis.
We are currently abroad on holiday, due to return to work on Thursday. The day before we left to go on holiday, my DH's employers told him that they were restructuring and there would be lots of changes. It is a change to his role and a huge change in working hours.
Whilst we have been away, he has received 9 emails from his employers detailing the restructure and the expectation of him. Two emails were marked "urgent" and asked him to respond immediately confirming he was receiving the emails. He didn't, and then one of his colleagues contacted him on Facebook (which we have been posting on) stating that the boss wanted confirmation on receipt of emails.
DH returns to work on Thursday 6th June. His new hours and role "WILL" start on Monday 10th June.
It will be mon-fri, a different job, and the hours still total 40 a week, but 3 days a week, he is expected to work from a different location which is further away, with no addition mileage compensation.
His hours will be 6am-6pm on Monday, 10am-10pm on Tuesday; a couple of regular 8 hour days and a two hour shift on Thursday. He will have to travel for 90 minutes each way to get to work.
I amended my working hours when I finished maternity leave, to suit his - so I do child care drop-offs and he does pick-ups. No way can we accommodate these massive changes, which will mean he isn't home until much later 4 days a week.
I believe that they cannot impose these unilateral contract changes, and certainly cannot implement them with. What is technically, three workin days notice.
I also believe they have acted inappropriately by contacting him when on annual leave.
His pay will remain the same (it is not a well-paid job) and on one of the days he will be expected to drive around pubs and restaurants in the local area, doing various pub quizzes and marketing. This is categorically not in his job description.
Is there any advice that anyone can give me? We are not unreasonable and understand that thee are business needs that mean restructure is necessary, but this timescale is untenable. The emails from the boss have stated that the hours are non-negotiable and must take place from 10th June.
Childcare aside, we have plans in the evenings anyway, and even if he finishes at 6pm, he won't be home until 7:30pm at the latest. The 10pm shift won't work either, as we do a course together on Tuesday nights.
Please, if anyone can advise me, I would really appreciate it. We will contact ACAS on our return, but we just need some advice as the timescale is so against us here.
I am abroad, as mentioned, so apologies in advance if my replies are slow as wifi is intermittent.
Really appreciate any and all help