18hrs but expected to work more..

[StarbucksQueen]

I started a new part time job at the end of May. Its permanent with a contract for 18hrs a week...I have personal reasons for only working 18hrs, and financially I am lucky enough not to need to work more than that.
Due to staff shortages for the last 4 weeks I have worked 30+ hrs each week. Today I have explained to my manager that ftom Aug 1st I would like to work my contracted hours of 18..I have said I don't mind which days of the week my hours are worked, and I'm happy to cover leave/sick, just not work additional hours every week.. it now seems I'm classed as no longer being a team player, and there's a bit of a frosty atmosphere.. just wondering if I've done the right thing asking to work just my contracted hours?

Very typical for part time jobs unfortunately.

Of course you've done the right thing esp when it's 18 hours that you only want.
They'll just be pissed as they'll need to find someone to cover that's all.

Thank you.. they are recruiting, but with new starters having to give notice, and then be trained in this role it seems that the additional hours were going to be never ending.

Tbf you didn't have to be as kind by saying from Aug 1st onwards! So your giving them afew weeks.
It'll be fine they'll get over it.
I wouldn't want to work additional either.

Your contract states 18 hours so that's all you should work. Let them get snotty if they want. Why 1st August, why not as of now, or next week if the roster is done for this week? Give an inch and they'll take a mile!

The rota for July had been done and I did agree to those hours, 24 a week rather than the 30+ and I didn't want to go back on that, but I do think 2mths goodwill is enough, and it's now time to be doing the hours I applied for. Unfortunately the other part timers are still doing the extra, but I think the whole thing is run on goodwill and making people feel guilty for not doing the extra..

As pp said it does seem the norm for let timers. I can see the employees POV, as we are deemed to have more flexibility- however they forget that part timers usually have very good personal reasons for wanting specific part time hours.
All I can say is ‘stand your ground’. Be flexible when it suits you, as when they haven’t got the extra shifts, you will quickly be told to cut your hours. It works both ways!
It’s nice to move and help - but not to the detriment of something else in your life. (Believe me I have been in your shoes.)

You've been perfectly reasonable.

If they want to be able to depend on people working full time hours then they need to stump up and commit to full-time contracts. Not try to take the benefits of full-time staff without the risks and costs of doing so properly.

You don't have to justify to anyone why you need to cap your hours at the 18 in your contract.

Are you getting paid extra for the hours you work? If not they can 🖕🏻

We are getting paid, the same as our normal rate..but as yet I don't know what my scheduled 3 days of work are, so I'm loathe to take any leave as I'm not sure if it's a day that's going to be part if my working week, or part of the additional hours I'm doing.. luckily I don't have any set in stone commitments, but I do need to be working only 3 days from around mid August

Are the extra hours unpaid?