Emplyer changed shifts, forcing change, reduction in allowance :(

mikeeee

I currently work for a huge well known insurance brand in their call centre as a broker/claims handler. For the last 16 months I have been working on a 4 days working (12hours a day), with 4 days off. I love the shifts and am able to juggle my life and work really well without compromising. For doing this undesirable shift I get a shift allowance of £2,000 a year onto of my basic £15,000.

A few days ago at our company AGM, they announced that 4 shift patterns are being removed. My pattern is one of those and we have a choice of 2 patterns: late/early rotation with weekends or a split shift were you work 8-12pm off for hours 3-9pm... as I don't drive the split shift ain't an option. Also to not neither of the above patterns offer any shift allowance, which means I'm being forced into a £2,000 paycut. The letter our workplace has issued us with says this is to roll out on the 1st November 2008 (30 days notice). Can my company just change my shift pattern and then force me onto another? What procedures do they need to follow? Are they allowed to do this?? Can I refuse to move? Are they obliged to honour holiday already booked as we would of thought we were off on a particular day due to our old shift? Lots of questions, I'm just furious and it's taking forever for my private union to get back to me.

Thanks, Michael

Conor_3

I think you'll find that there is a part in your contract of employment which allows them to make operational changes.

SomeBozo

Agree with Conor.

Employers can change your hours with advance notice due to operational reasons.

Bozo

going2die_rich

Considering they are "forcing" the change on you without consultation or your opinions, I'd say they are certain of their legal right to do so.

Also working in an Insurance business, which tend to be linked to the finance/banking sector, you really dont want to be rocking the boat right now. No doubt your company has done this measure to secure itself in the current climate. Next step could quite possibly be job cuts, so you don't want to be being noticed for the wrong reasons. At least this can go towards showing you are flexible with your working times, so make you someone they should keep.

Incisor

going2die_rich wrote: »

Considering they are "forcing" the change on you without consultation or your opinions, I'd say they are certain of their legal right to do so. ...

Or they know they have no right but are bluffing .... The only foregone conclusion is that they are not doing this without research.