changes to working pattern

[fourplusfour]

I have been employed pt in the same role for well over 10 years. The last four at least I have largely worked the same hours/day. Manager has proposed new rota due to additional staff being appointed and the new staff not wanting to work the hours that were vacant. Can my employer insist on a new working pattern? This would not be a business need but to accommodate the wishes of new staff members.

The change would mean averaging hours over a two or more week rota and resulting in additional journeys to/from work (and therefore costs).

What does your contract say about hours/varying hours?

I think it just says a total number of hours per week.

Are you in a union, is this a large organisation. Has the manager set up individual meetings with staff, discussed new proposals, spoken with unions and h.r. about changes to contracts and held staff meetings.

You can read the ACAS guide online, changing work patterns and also call them for advice.

Ok so if your contract doesn’t specify when you work your hours, you’d need to be able to demonstrate that your current hours have become your established terms and conditions through custom and practice, ie having been the same for a significant consistent period.

You say you’ve “largely” worked the same hours/days for four years, but what does that mean exactly?

Not sure it would be a change to contract @holey as contract states hours per week and doesn't mention working pattern.
Yes its a large (public sector) organisation but no Im not in a union. I will take a look at ACAS and see if I can find something useful there.

@flowery the operational hours have changed over time and therefore my own working pattern within that but for the last four years or so I have worked the same hours/same day. This is other than a brief period (maybe 3 months) when the then manager wanted to spread the team over two sites in order to protect contracts if one site closed - she was wrong in her assumption that she could manipulate the process that way.

If your contract says hours i think that meand they can change the days as you don't technically work certain days.

I wouldn't mind so much if it was a business need - changing operational hours or something. Its that its at the whim of a new (less than a month) member of staff.

If the new member of staff is valued by your employer it doesn't matter how long they've been there, they would argue the change is to meet business need, because they need that person.

Although you say it's 'at the whim' of the new employee, it's no more or less valid that your 'whim', it's their reason. They may have limitations or restrictions just like you.

The key thing is if your reason is a financial one, why don't you calculate the impact of change on you personally eg "because my working pattern has changed, it will cost me an additional £20 per month from my take home pay, which is x % of my monthly wages"

Give that detail to your manager in writing and see what their response is.

Thats a good point @daisychain01 . I worked it out and its just over 2% !