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Flexible Working

3 replies

Selmarc · 05/08/2013 16:43

I have worked the same hours on three set days during the week for the last 9 years which has suited mine and my husbands home/work life balance perfectly. The organization I work for has had a total restructure and now want me to work in a different place on a five week shift pattern involving weekends,late turns ,early turns totally turning my whole life upside down. Due to the nature of my husbands work (He can be called out at anytime ) I have ended up trying to accommodate the shifts required to the best of my ability i.e breakfast club, after school club for during the week (my husband will have to cover the late turns)and I have agreed to do an early turn weekend in five at a risk as I can call on a neighbor to look after my two kids (7 and 9) as I would be able to get home at 3pm should my husband be called out. I have tried to explain to my employers the reasons I dont want to take the risk working the weekends late turn (I have no family support and all my friends have kids and jobs too)but they have completely rejected everything I have submitted saying they want a Friday 5pm-3am ,a sat 12-23 and an early turn weekend. To date I have submitted 7 shift patterns but they keep rejecting them because I don't put in a Sat late turn or sun late turn in five. I have covered every other shift required. I have become so sick that I have ended going off with stress and they are still not helping me. They have now threatened to put me on stage one of a three stage unsatisfactory work performance.If I get to stage three they will sack me. I have never been sick before and I have always had very good annual reports.
OH/HR have been no support and unless I work what they want I will be sacked. I have spoken to my union rep and they don't think I have any option as everybody is being treated the same. Three part time mums had to resign as they could not work the hours required.

Is there anything I can do ?

OP posts:
flowery · 05/08/2013 17:06

It's not clear, are the changes to your terms and conditions finalised or is this still ongoing negotiation?

How are they saying your work performance is unsatisfactory? Confused Sounds like you are in disagreement about what you working hours are/will/should be, not a performance issue?

Your union rep is wrong. It's not necessarily the case that as long as everyone is treated the same there's no problem.

If a universal change to terms and conditions is applied which has a disproportionately negative effect on women, that could be indirect discrimination. Your union should know this and by the sounds of things, should be coordinating things and making that argument.

Selmarc · 05/08/2013 18:28

Thank you so much for the responses.
They have told me its not sexual discrimination as its happening to everyone. I have a case conference on the 12th to discuss the shift pattern THEY want me to do (not how are you !!! How can we help you???). They keep quoting the business needs and the cost as their busiest period is over the weekend. I am at my wits end and considering an employment tribunal but they just say "Bring it on " I don't know if I have a case though :(

OP posts:
spacegirl81 · 05/08/2013 18:54

Best thing to do is to give Acas a call they will be able to help you. X

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