Work 16hrs P/W but Employer wants more - PLEASE HELP!!!!!!!!!

Bettyboop

Hi All,

I hope you can help me with this issue. As the Title states I currently work 16 hours per week on a permanent part time basis. For a little while the boss has said that he needs more hours from me. The problem I have is by working more my chid care costs increase leaving me with less than half! I have explained this but he still wants more from me.

Even though I get some help towards childcare for my little girl working more doesn't make my finances any better. I was told that if I can't do more hours that they would have to find me another job in the company (and I know there isn't any at the moment). He will not consider a job share either. Am at a loss for what to do. I'm really worried that I will be asked to leave; fired or whatever. I was taken on at these hours and I understand the needs of the business can fluctuate at times but what is best to do.....I really have to sort this out.

I'm scared that if I do it just to keep them happy I my become resentful because of less time with my little one and also less money. Hoping you can shed some light on this with some helpful advice.

Thanks a lot

Kate.

mo1_2

im no expert,but i thought people had right now with working and children to have child friendly hours or something like that,do you have a union?

Spendless

Big hugs. I hear this time and time again and it worries me about finding a part-time job myself. Not got a great deal of advice to offer but how long have you worked there, as I'm sure you have more rights if you've been there a certain amount of time (a year?????).

Also how old is your child?

Spendi

this may help ?

http://www.acas.org.uk/index.aspx?articleid=803

ilovemycats

Hi Kate,

As far as I know... If your contractual hours are for a set period, then they can't dismiss you for refusing to take on extra hours. I realise that this doesn't help you much but.. Just carry on doing what you're doing and do your job well, then if it does come to an end then you can claim JSA. They'll likely take a slight interest too.

The trouble is that many companies don't consider their employees as an asset of the company. Your boss sounds like an idiot to be honest. As with his stance he's leaving his company wide open to scrutiny. He can't relocate you either just based on sheer convieniance.

I'm sure most companies would rather not have any employees full stop. Far too much hassle aren't they, let's just sack them all!!

But just hang on in there and keep doing what you do well. ((hugs)). If it did come to dismissal, with the JSA and potentionally no childcare costs you could end up far better off financially. Bit of a bummer I know, but figures are figures.

Chin up.

Aly x

Tustastic

Hi Kate, sorry to hear you are being put under this pressure. Your boss sounds like an idiot but atm he has the power to do stupid things.
Has he put any of this in writing to you? If so, keep copies in a safe place i.e. not at work.
If nothing is in writing, I suggest you write him a memo/email/letter explaining that you are flattered by the suggestion that you work longer hours (as it shows your work is valued) but that it would be financially difficult for you to increase your hours at the moment. Add some positive spin about understanding the changing needs of the company, always looking for ways to help increase productivity etc.
If he is daft, he will respond in writing. If he is not totally daft, he will give you a verbal response without witnesses. If he does that, simply send him another email summing up the conversation. Then he either has to deny that he said it (which is the end of him pressuring you to do more hours) or to confirm that he is putting pressure on you. He loses either way.
If you do have a union at work, please contact them ASAP. This sort of situation is what they are for. HTH

Bettyboop

Thank you to everyone who has so far responded. To clarify a few issues:

My little girl is 3.
Nothing has been given to me in writing.
We don't have a union as far as I know.
I have been there for 1 year and 8 months.

peter999

Bettyboop wrote:

...I currently work 16 hours per week on a permanent part time basis. For a little while the boss has said that he needs more hours from me.

I'm sure your boss knows your situation, politely stick to you guns.
Some bosses will walk over people given half a chance.

People like to have a good reason, otherwise they keep pushing.

peter999

Bettyboop

I forgot to mention that I told that I could increase to school hours from September but he didn't seem that happy. He tells me how busy we are going to be but the work isn't always ready when I'm there. I have told him before to have it on my desk on a Monday morning at it will be done. This is very awkward and I don't know what to do. If they asked me to because I can't do extra hours now....would it just be 1 months salary or a bit extra?

CFC

They can't ask you to leave if you don't want to work more than your contracted hours - UNLESS your contract specifies that you can be asked to undertake compulsory overtime. Take a look at your contract. It can say that you may be required to work at busy times until the work is finished. If you contract says that and you refuse to work, you are breaching your contract and it can get tricky.

If you don't have a contract or it doesn't say that in your contract, then you are only bound to your contracted hours.

Tustastic

Bettyboop wrote:

I forgot to mention that I told that I could increase to school hours from September but he didn't seem that happy. He tells me how busy we are going to be but the work isn't always ready when I'm there. I have told him before to have it on my desk on a Monday morning at it will be done. This is very awkward and I don't know what to do. If they asked me to because I can't do extra hours now....would it just be 1 months salary or a bit extra?

Betty, send your boss an email/memo explaining how the company can get the most work out of you by taking the trouble to have the work ready to do when you are there, and add the good news that you can do extra hours from September if the company would like more of your time.
If he is the one who is not getting the work ready for you in time, he is a disorganised person (it takes one to know one:o ) and you doing extra hours is not going to turn him into an effective employee.!:)
And stick to your guns.