Christmas working hours

Prettygreeneys_2

Hi
I work in a supermarket part time whilst i'm studying at university I work 9 hours a week, 3 hour shifts on a Thurs, Sat and Sun. The manager has informed me that I must work Christmas Eve, Boxing Day, the 27th and New Years Eve. Whilst I do not mind working some of the shifts I would like to spend some time over Christmas with my family. I would like to know if I can be forced to work all of the shifts.
Thanks

whitewing

Do you work in the same town as your family live? If so, I don't particularly think a three hour shift each day is that long given your circumstances. Perhaps you will get double time for some of it?

If working prevents you travelling to family, could you negotiate a longer shift on some days to not work others?

DVardysShadow

They can't force you. You could have spared me the bother and admitted that these are your regular days. But do appreciate that if you refuse, you may lose your job. I would suggest that you attempt to negotiate an alternative for one of the days if it does not suit.

boat_girl

I guess you will have to as they are your days to work. Can you not take annual leave? Or maybe you could ask to do a double shift on one day to get the next day off iyswim. I work full time so am working all day christmas eve, then tues, wed and new years eve.

Gothicfairy

The days you have listed are part of your "contracted hours" xmas day is not a right and many services and companies are open then, in fact this is the first xmas day off for me in 20 years of working.
If you want time off then use your Annual leave or work it, as you have no right to the time off for free as non of the days are bank holidays and even if they were you might have problems. ASDA are making all employees work bank holidays this year if it is their normal working day and giving them double pay and a day in lue (sp)

Christmas off is not a right and in my mind unless you are religious then why the fuss? and if you are religious then you should have dealt with the problem months ago..like people do for Eid, Yule,Hanukkah etc etc

Mind you that is my opinion only so you have every right to completely ignore me.

Prettygreeneys_2

I guess I know now, I wasn't sure if they were some sort of a national holiday. Thanks for the help at least next year I shouldn't have a problem x

computershack

There is - two bank holidays - however there is no automatic right to time off on bank holidays.

DCFC79

Its only 3 hours so to the 3 hours and then come home, what hours are they on each day

C_Mababejive

If you saw my work pattern over xmas/New year,you would count yourself lucky.

Speak to your manager. The thing is,if you dont do it..will someone else have to do your work?

In the end,no one can force you to work .You can always choose to leave.

bubblegumcola

If you work in retail then its pretty usual to work throughout the Xmas holidays. You are there to cover the needs of the business and if you are doing a 3 hour shift you are probably in during a busy period of the day or working to cover fellow staffs breaks. Some retailers will give you the option of having the next working day after Christmas day or New Year off, its up to the individual retailer, some don't give you any option. If you are a temp member of staff brought in for the Christmas season then you are expected to work, you don't usually get any time off. Many retailers don't allow any holidays over the Christmas period at all.

It's retail, its a busy time of year, you'll be needed at work. I'm on a temp contract myself over Xmas hoping to be kept on afterwards. (had a break for a couple of years off having kids.) Jobs are few and far between, work your shifts this year and fit family in round it and next year if you would rather not work over Xmas find a job not in retail. I have 3 kids and work 4 hour shifts, the kids miss me but what I earn helps pay for christmas and the bills. I'll catch up with family further afield on my days off, you must get days off? You aren't working every day, only 3 days a week, can't you visit family on the other four days? They could visit you if they live further afield and transport is a problem for you.

KeepYourChinUp_2

Think of all your colleagues in the depot that supply your store who are working 8hrs on all those days and probably new years day too. Its the nature of the business you are working in.