want to reduce my contracted hours employer says "No"

Alye16

I have two jobs, I work 2 days on a flexible contract for job A and 15 hours/week/term time only on job B.Next school year I want to reduce my contracted hours in job B to 10 hours in order to work another day for job A (better paid).My employer of job B is saying that I can't reduce my hours to work another job and in order to do so I will have to change my contract to a flexiable contract.They also say that other people have done this but due to family commitments not in order to do another job.Are they able to do this? The reason I have two jobs in the first place is because they wouldn't increase my contracted working hours. If I go to flexi what would my entitlement be if I was made redundant?

SarEl

You cannot unilaterally reduce your contracted hours. Your employer has the right to refuse, and there is nothing that you can do about it. There is no right to reduce your hours in order to go and work somewhere else during those hours. If you no longer wish to work your contracted hours, then your only choice is to resign.

heretolearn_2

Yep, it would be an impossible world for employers if their employees could demand to work whatever hours they wanted. OP, can you seriously imagine this?

Parents have the right to request a change to hours and their employee must consider this request, but still no right to demand them. Other employees don't even have a right in law to have it considered. I've got to say that your request would have got right up my nose if I were your employer. Might be an idea to be on your best behaviour for a bit.

SandC

heretolearn is right. Of course, any employee can ask their employer for anything - but parents and carers have a statutory right to do so by law.

I am with you though OP - had you given them some other reason it might have worked for you. As it is, because it is about having two jobs then their backs were put up. I guess they have to look after themselves.

For what it's worth, I think everyone should be treated the same and that your reasons for wanting the change of hours are just as valid as others are for family commitments. That others have actually been allowed to do just what you're asking to do is quite simply unfair if you ask me.

Sorry but I don't know what the situation is with regards to a flexible contract.

smileylondongal

As SarEl says, they can refuse your request, particularly when it's in favour of another role. If you were a full time carer or had family commitments, you might stand a better chance but not to do another job as they'll see it as something you do have a choice to do. It's not always fair but unfortunately, they are within their rights.

Alye16

Thanks for all your posts its good to get other peoples opinions.