More and more work.....

[LittlePinkAlien]

So the basic story is:

Two years ago I started this job as a part time admin assistant. I only applied for part time as then, circumstances were that it was all I could do.

Last year my boss asked me to go full time. I said I couldn't (after much research into local childcare, transport etc). I told him the most I could do was 30 hours. He agreed to this and my contract was changed accordingly.

Since then we've had two senior members of staff leave who have never been replaced. The workload has increased for everyone. I struggle to do the job I now have in 30 hours when the girl who previously did it had 40 hours plus help from me as an admin assistant. I struggle, but the work gets done. Three times, ive been asked to do a 40 hour week and I have explained why I cant.

I've now been told by my manager that shortly I will be asked to do 40 hours. (The powers that be apparently, want to give me more work) I cannot work 40 hours for this company. Due to the distance mostly and the responsibility I have as a lone parent. I've worked it out and I would not be home before 8pm. I understand that the fact I rely on public transport, have no childcare and am a lone parent is not the company's problem but I did not apply for this job, never wanted this job and now I feel im being pushed into the extra hours.

I am going to refuse, in writing and outline the reasons why. Where do I stand on this?

I'm just about to log off, but there is some information here. Although aimed at employers, it gives you an idea of their responsibilities if they want to change someone's contract.

Thank you. Does anyone have extra ideas?

Could you suggest a job share to your boss? ie. You do 20 or 30 hours per week and he finds another person to do another 20 or more hours?

I did. I suggested that we get a junior to support everyone. The powers that be aren't convinced apparently.

All we need really is someone to do what I did, answer the phone, faxing, copying, general things. They will not give us anyone else.

God I get this. I'm a lone parent to and if you put your kids in nursery its not just 9-5 you've got to get to work as well. Would your boss let you do any of the work from home? I'm guessing from what you say you spend a lot of time traveling. If you did say 2 days a week from home and you travel an hour each way you'd have an extra 4 hours on the job, save yourself the travel cost and the boss would get some extra hours. I know it doesn't always work out that way though depends on the sort of stuff you could do from home.

Re answering the phone there are lots of agencies this can be outsourced to if the employers don't want to get involved in recruitment this could be an option.

Best of luck

Oh one more thought on childcare. If you get child tax credit and working tax credit (which as a lone parent working in an adminstration role I guess you should) you can get up to 80% of childcare costs. Also did you notify them when you went upto 30hrs I think you get more WTC when you're working 30hrs or more.

LPA have a look here about changes to your contract, and here about what to do if you don't agree. There are lots of hoops they must jump through if they want to force something like this, and just to increase your hours it may well not be worth their while.