Can I be sacked?

pineapple

What you don't have a contract?!
Did you at least have an understanding of where you would be based?
What was the location specified in the job ad?
Are they going back on the understanding?
Did they make it clear that the commuting payment would only be temporary? I have to say that no one can expect paid travel to work on a permanent basis. In that respect, it is immaterial whether it is a charity or not.
You should consider whether it is worth it doing such a long commute for only a few hours.
What about negotiating some home based work time for paperwork? I did this in a previous job.
As for unions see what unions your colleagues are in, if any.
You could also contact ACAS for some anonymous advice.

KatieS73

Hi,
No terms and conditions in writing!
No HR department.
They told me at first that I could use my own car, but then they changed that to the BUS!!! So I have to take two buses to get to the main base.

Realistically would there be any chance you think that they would negotiate on the 7.5 hour day? Down to what it was before 4 hours? As well as the Depression and Anxiety, I have a bad back and hip and am just not able to do such a long day. They knew about my back problems when they took me on, the depression is new.

surreybased

Hi,

You should be given some form of contractual terms - even if not a contract as it is a requirement by law. you could push this quite hard but it does depend on your relationship with employer..I had a staff member at a company push very hard for a contract (citing rights) and it caused very negative feelings and I felt she was litigious from the outset.

I would suggest you speak with ACAS (who are helpful and have a free employee helpline) and they can give you advice. An employer does have the right to vary terms & conditions but are usually advised to do so through negotiation, rather than impose changes. It's not likely that they can sack you however they can say that the requirements for the job have changed and go through a process of consultation. This can happen e.g when an employer loses a major contract at one site and staff are offered the opportunity to work elsewhere, otherwise the employer could go through redundancy.

I think it's important to understand what is behind the request - what is the business reason and then see if it can be accommodated. Your suggestion is positive but if they actually need someone at the other site for 7.5 hours so that might not work for them. I would suggest you start of on a very positive tone, suggest that you are looking to accommodate the change etc..it does help if the employer believes you are genuinely looking for a solution

KatieS73

No contract,and yes the job ad said where I would be based.
I don't get paid to travel to my normal base. But they first told me they would pay travel by car to the other base, then that changed to by bus, which I didn't like but was bearable. But they pay others to travel between the bases, and they get to use their cars, because they have 'other' business as well to do and not just solely come up my way to work at my base. So that's apparently ok.

KatieS73

That's my worry that I just create a negativity towards myself. Suddenly joining a Union might have the same effect.

They have no valid arguement for the change, other than 'it's a charity', which it always has been and we need to be aware of costs. But this doesn't stop them spending the money in the stupidist of ways. The managers salary doesn't really, in my mind, indicate that we are aware of costs!!

It is funny that all this changed after my sick leave.

KatieS73

I'm the only one that pays for my own tea, coffee, milk etc. They all take theirs from the 'charity'.
Sorry always have been a bit annoyed by how they seem to be good at 'wasting' the council taxpayers money!!

theoretica

KatieS73 wrote: »

tell me to consider that it is a 'charity' I work for

Yes it is a charity, but you WORK for them. Personally I would tell them that no you are not prepared to change your work contract from what it has customarily been and if you ever feel like making a donation to that charity you would do so as a transaction completely separate from your work.

Emmzi

"I do not agree to this change to my terms and conditions."

Repeat, repeat, repeat.

Savvy_Sue

KatieS73 wrote: »

They told me at first that I could use my own car, but then they changed that to the BUS!!! So I have to take two buses to get to the main base.

Where I work, and have worked in the past, you can negotiate, so that if the bus is cheaper you claim that, but use your own car.

They may be a charity, but you are not. You are an employee of a charity, which gives you the same rights as any other employee of an other company / business.

getmore4less

"I know this is a charity, but I am not a volunteer, I don't agree to this change"