shift work

SuzieH

Ive worked with same company doing a day shift for 5 years. Recently been told that they are wanting the job covered 24/7 so are employing abother 3 people to cover the job and between the 4 of is will work shift of earlys, lates and nights including weekends.
I asked about who would cover sickess and holidays and was told that between us that was something we had to work out ourselves. ie the person on rest days would be called in and cover the hours with overtime or the person who is working to stay on until next shift comes on--is this right and allowed??

clairec79

so between 4 of you (each doing 5 shifts a week) you will cover 24hours a day 7 days a week (3 shifts per day)

So there are 20 possible shifts available (if you are all working fulltime and noone is off) to cover 21 shifts a week - that's just not going to work, even without sick and leave

ohreally

clairec79 wrote: »

so between 4 of you (each doing 5 shifts a week) you will cover 24hours a day 7 days a week (3 shifts per day)

So there are 20 possible shifts available (if you are all working fulltime and noone is off) to cover 21 shifts a week - that's just not going to work, even without sick and leave

You assume a working week of 5 days. The working time regs permit a single rest day within the working week.

clairec79

true I was assuming a 40 hour week as standard she did say rest dayS though

Blobby8_2

clairec79 wrote: »

so between 4 of you (each doing 5 shifts a week) you will cover 24hours a day 7 days a week (3 shifts per day)

So there are 20 possible shifts available (if you are all working fulltime and noone is off) to cover 21 shifts a week - that's just not going to work, even without sick and leave

If they really mean 24/7 there is an overtime shift every week.
If you want my advice (you probably dont, I know) I would be looking for another job. Weekend working, nights shifts ugh !
I remember having a job like that, it was cr4p, have you done night shifts before ?

SuzieH

The place will shut from 2pm Saturday until 7am Sunday so not 24.7 as such. If i wanted to take a holiday they say I have to find the cover for my shift!!
I work a 35 hour week now

SuzieH

No never done nights before. The job is cushy so I'm not bothered about it being strenous. Money is good too so wouldnt like to leave.
I'm quite happy doing my 35 hours and want to know can they force me to do extra hours on my rest days and holidays when someone else is sick

Blobby8_2

SuzieH wrote: »

No never done nights before. The job is cushy so I'm not bothered about it being strenous. Money is good too so wouldnt like to leave.
I'm quite happy doing my 35 hours and want to know can they force me to do extra hours on my rest days and holidays when someone else is sick

Alledgedly, nights shifts are endured by 80% of the peopple working them, loved by 10% and hated by 10% I was in the 10 % that hated them. Iworked a 24/7 system, 7 nights, 7 mornings,7 afternoons every 28 days. Oddly the employer knew that at the end of nights you would be at your lowest(body clock screwed etc) surprise, thats when your rest days were.
If you are not the nightworking type the best you can hope for is that someone will swap shifts, and that your employer will allow you to swap.

Mrs_Arcanum

Will you be getting a shift allowance? Will it be a week of earlies, week of lates & then a week of nights or will it be something like a 12 week rotation? With the hours you currently do and the total hours to be covered is 151 which makes no sense with either 1 hour or 30 minute lunch breaks? So I would wonder how they are planning to do this as non of the figures add up. Also bearing in mind you cannot go from a night shift into an early or even late shift as you should have 11 hours rest between nights & days.

There are 22+ weeks of holiday to allow for without any sickness.

SuzieH

Yes have had 90 days notice and it is for business reasons. Still not happy about it and will write to clarify a few points regarding compulsary overtime. Childcare is now a HUGE issue which is just an extra hassle

steve1980

In my previous placement there were only 4 people who could do the job so any holidays had to be cover by the people who were off shift. We work a 4 days on 4 days off, 4 nights on, 4 days off (you finish on your 1st rest day) and there were always arguments and reluctance to do overtime.

If you kick up a fuss about it, there are plenty of companies who can (very) quickly draft a team in to do the job.

With regards to the shift patterns I can only see the hours being increased otherwise there will be a space inbetween shifts.

And I hate nights!