Been given 2 weeks notice that I have to work every weekend. Can I refuse?

[zoggs]

Received a letter today changing my shift pattern so that as from 6 April I will have to work every weekend. Company policy (unwritten) is that everyone has at least every other weekend off which is what I do at the moment. This change will affect only myself and one other colleague out of about 60 employees. There is no obvious reason, ie. it doesn't save money or anything else I can think of.

I don't mind changing my shift pattern. I wouldn't object to having a flexible rota - at the moment it's fixed - but I really can't face working every single weekend especially as I work nights so it will seriously affect my family life.

There has been no discussion or warning, just the letter posted to my home address today. Should I refuse, appeal, use the greivance procedure or what?

grievance - sorry!

Are you a member of a union? If so, they would be my first contact, if not, I'd join sharpish!

I'm in Unison. Just not sure whether to go cap in hand to my employer first and at least try to sound reasonable or whether to go in all guns blazing which is what I feel like doing!

I would go to your union first to check out the legality of what they have done. At the same time, I would ascertain whether the union would become actively involved if you wanted them to.

Once you know the facts, you can go to your employer to discuss it, and see if a resolution can be reached amicably. However, you also have the back up of knowing that at any point you can stop the discussion and say "I've consulted my union on this and would like to involve them from this point forward".

Good idea. I have drafted a letter but will phone my union on Monday morning for advice before I send it. In the meantime, if anyone is around that can advise on the actual legality of it I would be very grateful.

Just a thought are you sure there is nothing in your contract re working hours, for example my hours are standard working hours in the week and x at weekend rota however my contract is a 24/7 and then could give me two weeks notice to work any shift pattern.

What does your contract say about your hours? Is your current shift specified in your contract? What does your contract say about varying hours or shift patterns?

If everyone has every other weekend off then why are you and this one colleague being told that no longer applies to you? Are you being given a reason and if not what do you think the reason is?

Sorry, I've been back at work for a couple of nights. I have shown my letter to a couple of colleagues (same grade) and they think it must be a mistake.

My contract states that I have to work 30 hours a week - nothing more specific than that. Everyone else has every other weekend off unless thay themselves have requested to work every weekend for their own reasons and that is only about 2 or 3 people (out of 60) who do that for child care purposes.

The letter I have received outlines a new set 2-week rota which involves me working Sat/Sun nights one week and Fri night the following week which at the moment precedes my weekend off. If I work Friday night I don't finish until 07.30hrs on Saturday which is in effect the same as working a full day shift on my weekend off. It will come into effect on 6 April. No more weekends away for me!

I really don't know why this has been done. The other colleague works opposite shifts to me. When she is off I am on and vice versa. A new manager has just started three weeks ago. The letter is from her but I have never met her and there has been no consultation or discussion. I have left a very polite letter for her pointing out that I really value having every other weekend off but that I would welcome an opportunity to meet with her to discuss how improvements to the present rota could be made. Been asleep today but I will contact my union tomorrow.

Well if you work nights and are only being asked to do Saturday and Sunday nights every other week then it's not quite as bad as it initially sounds. I understand that doing a Friday night impinges on your weekend to a degree, as you wouldn't be able to go away as soon as you otherwise might, but weekend nights are Saturday and Sunday and with this proposed shift pattern you do have two days off on the trot at a weekend every other week. Two days off on the trot at a weekend doesn't seem unreasonable to me tbh.

I realise it might be worse than your current shifts, and of course for that reason there is no harm you questioning it, I would just be careful about saying you are being asked to work every weekend, because with the shift pattern you described, it would be perfectly easy for your boss to say that is not the case.

Also, if you do opposite shifts with another lady, is there another way of doing it which is fair to you both? Can you propose something between you?

Good news. My union (Unison) have agreed to represent me as they say the changes are unreasonable. The first step is to try and resolve it informally on my own but if that doesn't work they will advise me on constructing a grievance letter and accompany me to any meetings. I hope it doesn't get to that stage though.

Excellent, hope you get it sorted.

That sounds like a good plan zoggs. Hope you get it sorted soon.