I'll try again with this. If my boss offers me new hours, which are unsuitable and I refuse to do them

[saltire]

and he then termintates my current contract, and offers me the new one with unsuitable hours, which I refuse again, would I get dole money?
More importantly, is there anything I can do?

JSA can be sanctioned if you are seen to have left voluntarily. They may translate you not accepting as leaving under your own accord.

If you have a valid reason why the new hours are unacceptable the sanction may be over-ridden. IE the hours are outside standard childcare hours of 7am to 6pm etc.

If he terminates the contract surely you are entitled to redundancy pay as well? Unless he has offered a suitable alternative, and if the hours aren't suitable then it's not is it?

When I was in a similar situation, the free legal helpline on this working families site was incredibly helpful. I don't know about JSA, as my boss suddenly found he could accomodate me, when I followed their advice

I currently work 11am - 2pm.
The new manager is doing what he calls "reprofiling" to make better use of staff. The job I do involves the counting and management of stock, and occasionally on teh till.he has put up a letter to all staff with his "suggestions" he is going to meet with each staff member individually.
he has said in hisletter
A) We need to re-assess the hours we spend on stock control(my job) this could mean starting at 7am.
B) I will try to accomodate the hours you are able to work, and we cna come to some sort of agreement. If the hours I would like you to work are not suitable for you, then your current contract will be terminated and you will be offered the new contract with new working hours. It is up to you wether you choose to take up the offer of a new contract.

I've only been there 8 months! So not holding out any hope of redundancy!

saltire, I would really give that help line a ring. It was very useful to me to know what they could and couldn't make me do, before I met with the management. e.g my contract states that my hours can be changed to suit the business, but the helpline told me that if you can't work the new hours because of childcare commitments, then they can't enforce it. Give them a ring, they were very helpful and not at all scary.

saltire have a read here about what to do if you don't accept a change to your contract. Don't know about the dole money question I'm afraid.