Sudden change of working hours can they do this?

lindseykim13

Oh has been working for this company for 3yrs he started on days and there has always been options to do late or night shift.
He switched to late shift approx 5mths ago after going on it for a trial period they said he could stay on it permantly.
Without warning he was told tonight he would be back on day shift as from monday to start a new rota of 4weeks on 4 weeks off.

Problem is we have plans our life revolves around his work pattern, i have booked theatre tickets, days out etc as i was expecting him to be home all day. Where does he stand? This doesn't seem fair as it will disrupt all our plans for weeks on end and cost us the loss in shift bonus, bookings made.

Thanks in advance

Marg

1) What does his contract say?
2) Did the company give him a reason?
3) Are others affected?

Is it possible company are struggling and cutting late shifts/manpower as a cost saving exercise? (My company have cut all our hours a bit to save money as less work coming in)

If this is the case then better some disruption than no job at all which a lot of people are facing at the moment.

SandC

He does need to check his contract. Usually a business will specify that shifts can be changed due to work demands etc.

jobbingmusician

lindseykim13 wrote: »

Oh has been working for this company for 3yrs he started on days and there has always been options to do late or night shift.
He switched to late shift approx 5mths ago after going on it for a trial period they said he could stay on it permantly.


Thanks in advance

Did they say this in writing? If so, it is possible it could be viewed as an amendment to his contract. If they didn't (or anyway) the advice above is good - look at the contract and employee handbook, if one exists.

lindseykim13

thanks for the advice, his contract is days but could be asked to do other shifts etc.
He picked to go onto the late shift and while on it was told verbally he could stay on it permanantly. Now the company have merged with another they are making anyone on late shift change to a one month on one month off rota. This effects all british employees and contractors however the foreign workers are allowed to stay on it. I thought they all had to be treated the same?
It's not so much the shift change it's the notice they have given surely they don't think people don't make plans!

Their excuse is to make it fair so everyone can get a go on the late shift that way, yet when there is loads of overtime those on days don't care about going on it. It's only now overtime is being cut that people are moaning to go on the late shift 25% more pay, we're not bothered about the pay it's the hours that matter which is really annoying.
Apparantly it's happened before though and when ot picked up all went back to normal so i don't know thanks anyways