Casual worker cancelled shift

[Newjh94]

I work as a bank/casual worker so basically zero hours contract and work whenever I’m needed if I can do the days they need. I do sleep in shifts. Next weekend I am down to do a shift that ends with a sleep in. I now cannot do this due to a family thing coming up (have to drive 2 hours In the morning to my gran to take her to a DR appointment, she lives alone and no one else is able to do it). I have emailed one week in advance to explain this. And been responded to with a very short, sharp email saying it is my responsibility having accepted the shift to find someone to cover it. I am happy to try my best by contacting my colleagues but if not possible I still can’t do the shift. My coNtract states nothing about this responsibility and I have never done it in the past.

Sounds like your employer wants to have their cake and eat it.

Is there anything in your contract about doing what is reasonably required ?
Perhaps they could get you with that as I know my employer uses that excuse.

Did you originally say you could do it? Or did they just schedule it?

If you've accepted the shift then surely you can't just decide you're not going to do it?

Casual worker or not, you agreed to work it.

Something has come up which means I can’t due to something Fairly important, and I gave a weeks notice

@Newjh94

Something has come up which means I can’t due to something Fairly important, and I gave a weeks notice

But in the nicest possible way, that's not their problem.

You accepted the shift - as you now can't do it, you need to arrange a swap or cover. It's been like that in every single job I've ever had.

Well, OP, by your explanation you should be able to cancel a shift right up until the moment you are meant to start. Can you see how this is unworkable?

If you accept the shift you accept the shift.

What does it say in your contract about this?

I get that this is how it is but agree with pp who says the employer has their cake and eats it. Zero hour contracts and casual staff from their end but commitment and professionalism from the staff. Its an employer's market at the moment I know.

@StealthPolarBear

I get that this is how it is but agree with pp who says the employer has their cake and eats it. Zero hour contracts and casual staff from their end but commitment and professionalism from the staff. Its an employer's market at the moment I know.

How does the employer have their cake and eat it?

They asked OP if she could work on Saturday. She said yes, so they'll have worked the rota around that.

OP is now coming along and saying she can't work. So surely it's now her responsibility to sort out a way to cover her shift? You can't just refuse to turn up to work, casual employee or not.

Because they employ staff on zero hour contracts

@StealthPolarBear

Because they employ staff on zero hour contracts

Meh, lots of people actively want contracts like that - no commitment beyond doing the shifts you agree - the freedom to turn down shifts that don't suit etc.

I don't get the uproar surrounding zero hour contracts as long as they're enforced fairly on either side.

Anyway, in this case OP already agreed to work. If she can no longer do what she agreed, the onus is on her to find cover - whether that's asking someone to work overtime or swapping a shift.