Part-time work requiring availability full-time training (lack of notice)

[Boppertini]

Hi all,
Hoping someone may have some wise advice to share. I have accepted a part-time role (18h week) which starts in two weeks. The company has however just reached out with my training schedule which turns out to be 40h week for 3 weeks (and then shift pattern starts). I am concerned as it has not been mentioned previously, and I have not been able to get my two children sorted for nursery for the extra hours.
Has anyone seen anything similar before, and can advise if I have any rights in this situation or just to try to suck it up and find alternative care asap if I wish to continue with the role?

What was discussed at interview? Has this just appeared on your contract?

Unfortunately not mentioned in job ad, interview stage or contract (signed a number of weeks ago). Only in separate communication today which has left me confused!

Maybe they’ve made a mistake and simply not taken into account that you’re part-time when designing the training schedule. Have you actually spoken to them?

If you’re contracted to do 18 hours I don’t think they can force you to do more than that. The training is part of work. Either way, I’d be firmly but politely asking for a training schedule that’s in line with your contracted hours.

Thanks for replying! I’ve spoken to them briefly today and they stated that the schedule is correct and required due to the amount of training the role needs. I will give them another call tomorrow to find out more. Just nervous as it’s a good job and I’m keen to start, and don’t want to get off on the wrong foot over this - but on the other hand it will be a mad scramble to try to organise childcare with such short notice.