Can they change my work days?

[Lauren1983]

I currently work weekends. I have never worked weekdays in my current job and the job was advertised as weekends only. I deal with clients who use our services over the weekend but the manager at my work place has stopped clients being able to come in over weekends during the Summer and I am now being required to work Monday to Friday instead for these 6 weeks. Can they do this? I have a child who is old enough to be left home alone but I chose these hours so that I would be there during school holidays.

I don't think so as it's a material change to your contract. But you'd be better talking to your union who can advise you.

How long have you worked there? They cannot just change your work hours. What does your contract say? I would call Acas and get some free legal advice. Are you in a union. They can’t do this but if it’s a new job, it’s more tricky.

Hi I have worked there over 4 years. I am not in a union but will try acas.

In that case you have full workers rights (which you get after 2 years). They can’t just change your working hours without your agreement. 4 years is way over the threshold for custom and practice to establish your working pattern, even if it’s not explicitly in your contract. Give Acas a call, they will be helpful.

Will ring acas. Found my contract. It says

Your hours will be 10 per week, worked in a pattern to be agreed with your manager. Where appropriate, this can involve working outside normal office hours or, on occasions, working from home.

I actually do 16 as my hours were altered although I never received a new contract stating that.

Always ask for a new contract. Ring ACAS first then whatever you agree to get a contract amendment. It’s on you just as much as your employer!

Yes I should have asked for a new contract. My holiday and pay has always been right in regard to the 16 hours so never chased it up.

Contact your HR department (if you have one in your company), or a union, and ask the question.

No they can't legally do this. Tell them (in writing) you are not available and won't be working week days ... if you do you work week days you will be deemed to have accepted the change.

And join a union!

What hours are they actually asking you to do during the week. It’s not going to be Monday to Friday if you’re only doing 10 hours

They can’t make you do it but if there’s no weekend work anymore what do you expect them to do? Make you redundant

It is now 16 hours. I don't know what exact hours they want me to do. There could be weekend work but clients have been cancelled. I am expected to go back to weekend hours in September.

It is just frustrating as I work weekends so I can have the school holidays mostly off. DP works Mon to Fri on shifts ranging from 6am to 10pm so although it is good I am there for our daughter it means we get very little family time. The pay off for working every weekend is the holiday time off.

Is it a short term temporary change? What does it say in your contract? When I worked we were contractually obliged to change hours/days on occasion due to operational needs of the business and we were expected to be flexible. If we really couldn't accommodate the change we could refuse but they didn't like it.

This way you’ll be able to spend the weekends together.

I’d find out the actual hours. You are still going to get the vast majority of the holidays off to see your DC and you’ll see your DH.

It’s not all bad.