Changing hours

lesleystrawson

Don't know if this can resolved, but there might be someone out there who knows the answer to my query.

Started a permanent job-share nearly 2 years ago. As I was coming from a temporary job, and mentioned at interview I could work either end of the week, I didn't feel as though I could complain when they offered me the job, but working Monday, half day Tuesday and Friday (my job-share actually does 3 full days on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday).

About 8 months ago, my job share was promoted up 2 scale points to work on a 'pilot project', still working within the same office as me, but doing an extra half day on a Friday. I asked if I could change my shifts to work Mon, Tues, and every other Wednesday and my line manager agreed. The temp who came in (I had to work on my own for 3 months whilst they looked for soemone) worked the end of the week.

Unfortunately the so-called pilot project has ceased due to lack of funding, and my old job share is to come back to the post.

My question is, does she have the right to come back to the same days she worked at the beginning? I'm guessing yes - my personnel department (I work for my local LEA) has looked into this and said there is no precedent for it, and that I should try and work things out with my job-share/line manager. But no joy there.

Any thoughts/help would be appreciated.

hjb123

To be honest I would have thought that it will also depend on the hours that she is currently doing at the moment? Do the two of you currently work overlapping hours at the moment? I guess it will be a case of the two of you that job share and the line manager discussing the implications of the hours that the two of you are doing and what the two of you are flexible to do!

dro

Are you asking if they can make you revert to your work pattern when you first started? If so I think it would probably depend on what was written in your contract.

Whatever your contract says I would say the 'right' thing to do would be, if at all possible, to try and reach a compromise.

lesleystrawson

I want to stick with the hours I'm doing at the moment, but my old job share wants to revert back to the old pattern.

And no, she will not compromise. And unfortunately she is also best pals with our line mananger

hjb123

Read your contract and see what it says! They would have to give you notice of a change in hours. Has the person that is coming back to the jobshare been doing the same hours on the other job she has been doing?

lesleystrawson

I believe my contract just states 18.5 hours, but I'll have to check.

My job-share was doing the same days as before, but an extra half day (or sometimes a whole day every other week) on a Friday.

hjb123

Have they told you that you will have to alter your hours when the other person comes back? How many hours will they overlap by?

dro

I think they can only change your hours if there is provision for it in your contract.
If you're uncertain ACAS are a good source of employment advice, it might be worth giving them a call (08457 474747).

bluenose1

I doubt whether it is set down in legislation anywhere what to do on this.

I job share and my partner and I compromise with each other, unfortunately it doesn't sound like yours does.
I would argue if I were you that it is now inconvenient to split up your working week but that you are willing to compromise ie come in either the beginning of the week or the end, depending on which pattern your job share partner would like to do.
I can see that your job sharer wants everything her own way and will argue you were employed on those terms.
I would put my request in writing so that your team leader can't just verbally refuse but has to go through proper channels.

Best of luck
Anne

lesleystrawson

I job share and my partner and I compromise with each other, unfortunately it doesn't sound like yours does.
I would argue if I were you that it is now inconvenient to split up your working week but that you are willing to compromise ie come in either the beginning of the week or the end, depending on which pattern your job share partner would like to do.
I can see that your job sharer wants everything her own way and will argue you were employed on those terms.
I would put my request in writing so that your team leader can't just verbally refuse but has to go through proper channels.

Best of luck
Anne


Anne - do you work in my office??? You have said it exactly how it is. Unfortunately it has come to a head and my line manager (pal of jobshare) has told me that I have to come in on my original days - or tough.

So, 'or tough' it is. I don't want to work for her anymore, and so am resigning on Friday. I guess I am just so very lucky to be the position to be able to jack my job in like this.

And of course I am on leave for 2 weeks of my notice period (which I am entitled to take before I leave) so shall stick it to 'em and have a nice 2 weeks off with my nearest and dearest, and let them scramble around looking for someone else!

Thanks for all the suggestions/advice - much appreciated.
Anyone got a link for a 2 line 'I resign' letter?

hjb123

Good Luck to you! Sounds like your line manager is a right un! Its not right for you to be forced out like that though!

So when you hand in your resignation on Friday how much notice do you give?

Say soemthing along the lines of

I would like to hand in my resignation as 'Position x' to be effective as of 'date'.


If you are entitled to any holiday pay or will work notice or want to write anything else do so but in the above line you have everything needed?!

Bear in mind though you may require references from them in the future!