Manager moving people into different jobs for 4 month period inc shift changes

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Due to short staffing my manager is wanting to move 2 people in my team from next week into different roles. This will leave their jobs to be covered by is and they will be asked to work shift patterns completely different to those they work now. Is she within her rights to do this without consultation? Those affected have worked here 10 years in their current jobs and have children which they are expected to find cover for with a weeks notice. Any thoughts?

Forgot to say is to cover a 4 month period of short staffing in another team. Very different jobs.

What their contracts say will be relevant, but with a week's notice, on the face of it probably no.

Thanks flowery, I'll contact the Union. What timeframe is acceptable to ask people to find childcare for shiftwork? By this I mean 7am starts and later shifts finish at 9pm.

Childcare for shiftwork isn't quite the point. It's a question of whether their contracts allow her to do this, whether the shifts they have been working have become their permanent terms and conditions, whether consultation is required, how essential this is for business reasons and whether appropriate notice for a change has been given.

As I say, based on the very limited information you have given, it sounds unlikely that she can do this at a week's notice. I suggest you recommend that your colleagues contact their union if they are in one and discuss their individual contracts and circumstances with their rep.

Thanks will do. They have been working Mon-Fri 9am-5pm for 10 years. These jobs have always historically been 9-5, and nationally are 9-5 roles (is NHS). The role they are being asked to move to is to cover early and late shifts in a ward setting. Same profession but a completely different job and skillset.