Change of shift stopping access to child

michele-p

paulwf -

The only problem with the employer is that that have already refused him holiday boxing day and the day after this year. We always have the daughter boxing day every year for 2 nights, as we do a 2nd Christmas, and don't see her on Christmas day. They've also refused other holiday requests for events we have booked at weekends in December (booked when we were assured he's be back on day shift!). So they aren't great at being flexible with us!

ILW

At the end of the day, an employees social life is not the responsibility of an employer.

michele-p

ILW, I realise that, but my point was after he pointed it that he does not have access to daughter on Xmas day, but boxing day and day after they still refused a holiday request.

Bobl

I think you need to understand that his domestic arrangements are not the employers problem. It seems the have been more than reasonable, but now need him to work a normal shift pattern like everyone else. How would an employer manage if everyone wanted special treatment because of their private lives!

michele-p

We have just been looking on the calendars, and maybe a 2 on 2 off shift pattern could work. We will raise it with the ex and the work and see what happens.

SandC

I don't think there is any way that he can argue against being put on a shift pattern at work, as it is they have been accommodating with him thus far.

What he needs to do is talk to his ex to see what they can come up with. How far in advance will he have his shift patterns? As others have said, he needs to work around his employment and not the other way around.

This could even be a good thing, especially if the ex works. He will have lots more time to have his daughter in school holidays without even needing to take leave for it, so do bear that in mind when you are thinking of losing weekends.

With a bit of communication this could work out at better arrangement than the current one. This Xmas for instance, could he have her on 23rd and 24th then home to mums for teatimeish on Xmas eve?

This is all about communication and he needs a proper conversation with the ex. This is not as cut and dried as him simply losing the weekend days he has with her because he's at work, it's about swapping things round and will inevitably help the child's mum out as well. Don't just presume she is going to be awkward about it, you don't know til he talks to her.