Work trying to change my working hours

[WhitePoinsettia]

I work 26 hours a week over 3 days. I’ve done this for 6 years. They agreed to it, and I have arranged my childcare around this.

My co. Is saying that they want to change my hours which will mean changing the days I work, perhaps not even setting the days, but letting me know when to come in.

I cannot do this. I can’t change my childcare, and definitely cannot rearrange it every week.

They say they can change it and give me a few months notice.

Where do I stand on this legally? I’ve a meeting about it next week. Basically if they change it I’ll have to leave.

Speak to ACAS it’s free

Check your contract first and speak to ACAS.

The company can change your working hours (in consultation with you), but if you don’t agree I think they can do it anyway.

This happened to a chap I worked with (Jewish and they wouldn’t guarantee him Friday evening and Saturday off for Shabbat) and in the end he refused to sign the new contract and left.

What if I’ve always worked this way, and their changes mean I have to leave as it affects my childcare?

It depends on their reasons for changing. You might be able to argue for redundancy if you can’t meet the new requirements

They can do what they want, but that doesn't mean it would be without consequences for them. As you say, if they make this change then you will be forced to leave. You could potentially have claims for unfair dismissal (on the basis that their behaviour has forced you to leave, known as constructive dismissal), breach of contract, or even sex discrimination (i.e. the changes they are trying to make impact you more than they would a man, because of your childcare responsibilities).

You should definitely take some proper legal advice. As another poster says above, you could try ACAS. Or speak to an employment lawyer - many will have an initial call with you for free.

Does your contract stipulate set days?
Even at that I think contracts can be changed by negotiation, giving you enough notice etc.

When I returned to work 3 days after mat leave my employer (NHS) would not put Tuesday,Wed,Thursday in my new contract, only 21 hours over 3 days as they wouldn't guarantee it would never change (obviously with sufficient notice)

The sad thing is any company can do this. Was done to me so I have every sympathy. Or you are made redundant, great a couple of months money and then no job. Either way it's miserable.

Then you leave.

This is really a situation for ACAS and an employment lawyer.

So they changed my work days. When this originally started, they stated that they had to/ would give us 3 months notice to make allowances/ sort out our personal lives to fit the new hours.

I don’t know if this is a legal requirement. They aren’t giving me 3 months, it’s more like 8 weeks.

I will speak to ACAS, but wondered if anyone knew this was law?

I can't help with the law but I suppose it will come down to what is deemed "reasonable" notice of a change.

Could you negotiate for longer due to your specific circumstances around childcare?

What is your contracted notice period?