Can my employer make me increase my working hours?

[Secretsout]

Just that really. They say they are bringing in minimum working hours for my particular area of practice. Officially, they say it is to maintain levels of clinical competence. Unofficially, I suspect its financially driven. This has no bearing on the minimum hours specified by my regulatory body and there are absolutely no concerns with my own clinical standards. I am happy with the hours i work, it suits me and my family so can they do this? If so, how much notice are they required to give?

Assuming this a change to your contracted hours, then I think they have to give 90 days notice. No idea if consultation is required too.

Damn! Yes its a change to my contracted hours. Looks like they can then?

I'm not really clued up about the legalities, but the same happened to me a few years ago (probably loads of old threads about it on here) and my employer had to back down eventually.

But I am in a specialist field which is regulated by legislation, so not the same for most people.

I would have thought they would have had to conduct an EQIA before introducing this new policy. Is there any evidence base for the change? I assume you are working for a Health Trust - are other Trusts adopting a similar policy?

I would suggest re-posting this in 'employment'. There are some very knowledgeable posters there who could give you a steer.

What impact will this have in terms of hours?

I'm not sure either, I'm really sorry. I would talk to your union and ring the ACAS helpline .

Thanks beryl. Its NHS and they've been trying it for a year. It's just my particular trust. Most staff have caved and done it but I really don't want or need to so I'm one of the last few standing.

How do i move the thread? Or can someone do it for me?

Report it to mnhq and ask them to move it.
I'd suggest your union or acas too for advice.

This would constitute a change to your contract so would need to be agreed by you, or they would need to go through a consultation and fair dismissal process. This ACAS guide gives a good summary and the helpline is pretty good (and free) if you need any additional advice. www.acas.org.uk/media/pdf/8/6/Varying-a-contract-of-employment-accessible-version.pdf