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Feeling really ambushed by manager

9 replies

LedaOfSparta · 01/10/2013 18:52

Feeling really deflated this afternoon about my work. Long story short is that I'm on my 5t soh week back to work after a 12m maternity leave, my manager agreed a 20 hrs contract to be worked over 3 days. A colleague had agreed similar as she is also just back from maternity leave also.

Today we were both called into a meeting with get dept manager and deputy manager and (no notice given) and told we're not flexible enough and I now need to do 4 days. I appreciate it may be worked a business need but could they not have decided that in the year I was off (un replaced no mat cover)?!

My chosen childminder's who I've spent ages settling 3 kids with has no more spaces and neither does the only other miner in the village that drops off at my sons' school.

There wasn't really an alternative presented in this meeting so the only option I can see is handing in my notice, which I am a bit miserable about as I like my job and the money is useful to say the least! I'm a hcp so could do agency or bank work but it still throws up the same childcare issues.

OP posts:
LedaOfSparta · 01/10/2013 18:53

My predictive texting has gone mad! Lots of strange extraneous words in that post

OP posts:
RandomMess · 01/10/2013 18:54

Do you have the 3 day agreement in writing?

LedaOfSparta · 01/10/2013 18:59

Only via 'informal' email, my contract only stipulates 20h per week

OP posts:
RandomMess · 01/10/2013 19:20

You need some legal advice as to whether that consititute acceptance of youru flexible working request.

RandomMess · 01/10/2013 19:22

Have formally requested flexible working?

www.gov.uk/flexible-working/making-a-statutory-application

LedaOfSparta · 01/10/2013 19:35

Random: no I didn't as I only worked 3 days before. The change was dropping from 26 to 20h per week.

OP posts:
RandomMess · 01/10/2013 19:41

So your previous working week was 3 days and your contract stipulates 20 hours per week but no times or anything? Did you previous contract stipulate 26 hours over 3 days, or that changes in working hours/times would be notified by x weeks in advance?

You def need some legal expert advice - I wonder if flowery is around.

Your house insurance may cover you for some free legal advice or the CAB.

It could be worth putting in a formal flexible working request as per the link anyway? You could include as part of the evidence that they had agreed to it IN WRITING on x date.

What do you think their reason is for wanting you to work over 4 days?

LedaOfSparta · 01/10/2013 20:02

The contract only stipulates hours but does include a bit about sitting the needs of the business.

As I'm hospital based they would prefer me to cover busy periods only so their KPIs are green.

I just don't have the stomach for a fight really, I'm just not sure what I'm going to be met with when I go in and tell them the 4 days isn't possible for me.

OP posts:
nextphase · 01/10/2013 20:05

Would it be easier to revert to 26 hrs/week as per pre maternity contract? Could that work for the childminder, and you?
Sounds like a nightmare situation to be in. I hope you sort everything out.

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