Part Time Query

NaughtySausage

good afternoon people

I work part time and have worked part time for some years. I have a contract whereby I pretty much work school hours.

There has been a 'top level' management change at work at it has been made very clear that the new management does not see a place for part time staff in the organisation and in fact, their pet hate is people who leave the office early (like I do).

This general feeling is slowly being passed through the organisation and I often find 'sly' comments being made by both management and colleagues bemoaning the fact that I work part time.

I bet you can see my query coming!

Can my employer change my contract or make all part time staff redundant? I need to keep my part time contract and am not interested in working full time at all. What should I be aware that they may do?

To clarify, I have been promoted during which my part time hours were known about and never queried. I have also received bonuses for good performance so I think that my employer would struggle to blame poor performance.

Thanks guys

x

elvis1

Naughtysausage do you have children? I think they cannot discriminate if you work part time hours because of children etc. They should realise part time people are just as productive as full time, if not more as you have less hours in the day to do your job. Wonder how many of those who moan about your part time are out on a 'cig break' or take longer for lunch. Good luck with it and hope they see how much hard work you put in.:)

NaughtySausage

Thanks Elvis - greatly appreciated.

I do have children (age 5 and 7) and had worked for the company full time for 4.5 years prior to having the eldest one.

I suppose I feel a little p*ssed off as all of the feedback about my performance is great -its just this new manager who seems to be gunning for us part timers! As the manager is such a strong person, their thoughts and opinions are filtering down the ranks and is becoming the leading thought in the office!

Do you think its worth keeping a diary of these comments and digs or could I be over reacting?

wnoktnwbr

NaughtySausage wrote: »

Do you think its worth keeping a diary of these comments and digs or could I be over reacting?

Even if you are over-reacting there's no harm in having that diary. If you are over-reacting and nothing happens just throw it away.

NaughtySausage

Good point - thank you

getmore4less

how many part timers are effected.

Do most of them do joba that others do inc full timeres.

If this person is having a lot of influence you might need to look for ways to kerb it.

Union, HR, other management, higher management.

Get all part timers on board.


if they(he) decide to get rid of all part timers they can do it.

NaughtySausage

thanks for the thoughts - how would they do it?

There are quite a few part timers - some work a few days a week, some work everyday but shorter days (like me). I would guess that there is probably about a dozen part timers. At least 3 of us have picked up on the 'shift in attitude'. I have not discussed it with the others to be honest - dont want to be seen to be 'stirring' it.

elvis1

As someone said, keep a diary. If nothing comes from it, thats great. I would speak to a Union Steward if you have one. Would be careful about saying anything to others, this might give the boss an excuse just keep your ear to the ground. If he had any sense he/she would realise they would have a fight on there hands if they started to get get rid of part time staff. It would be seen as a bit of a coincidence.

If I heard comments about working part time I would bluntly but politely say 'is there a problem with me working part time'. I would keep track of the time in and time out, cig break and lunch break of the ones who comment. See how much time they are spending on these. You might find you are working more hours than them. Sorry getting on my high horse now, I have worked part time then full time but it really gets my goat when someone thinks they can come in and critizise everyone who does.:mad:

NaughtySausage

Hi guys - I hope you are all having a good weekend

Sorry to drag all this up again but someone at work was talking about this issue (a non part timer, but at very junior level) and asked whether my contract was 'dated'. I have absolutely no idea to be honest.

Then I am sure he said that if it wasn't dated they could just terminate my contract and offer me a new full time one. Could this happen? Is he right or just sh*t stirring?

Thanks in advance

NS x

mariefab

He's just stirring.

Your contract would usually just contain the date your employment began.
(Sometimes there would be another date indicating when your continuous employment began if, for example, your role had been transferred from a previous employer.)

If there is no date on your contract it just means that your employer has failed to complete it correctly.
It has no impact on your employment rights.

KiKi

NaughtySausage wrote: »

Can my employer change my contract

With consultation and discussion and appropriate notice - yes.

or make all part time staff redundant?

It would be unlawful to do it *because* you're part time. It would not be unlawful to make redundancies because the jobs were no longer available.

I need to keep my part time contract and am not interested in working full time at all. What should I be aware that they may do?

They may want to negotiate with you. However, if this is *because* you're part time (and ask them to make this explicit - preferably get them to admit it in writing / on email then you have evidence) then this would be unlawful.

elvis1 wrote: »

Naughtysausage do you have children? I think they cannot discriminate if you work part time hours because of children etc.

?? There is no law protecting 'parents'. The kids are irrelevant. It is unlawful to treat part time staff differently to full time staff on the basis of their hours. Whether you're part time because you have kids, or whether you're part time because you choose to be - is completely irrelevant.

NaughtySausage wrote: »

Sorry to drag all this up again but someone at work was talking about this issue (a non part timer, but at very junior level) and asked whether my contract was 'dated'. I have absolutely no idea to be honest.

Then I am sure he said that if it wasn't dated they could just terminate my contract and offer me a new full time one. Could this happen? Is he right or just sh*t stirring?

Well, he's partly right - except the bit about the date.

Dated is irrelevant. You have proof through your payslips and bank statements of when you started work there. Your contract is implied, whether you have one or not. Forget anything about a date.

The reality is that *if* they have good business reasons to alter your contract, with consultation and discussion and effort to find a resolution, they can issue you with a new contract and your current one is terminated - so yes, they can do that. If you refuse to accept it, you may be deemed to have resigned. If you do sign it, do it under protest and write / email your protest to your line manager, saying you want further discussion on the matter, and clarification as to why this has changed.

If they are stupid enough to say that they 'don't like people working part time' then you have evidence. If they do have a good business reason then there's little you can do about it.

If they dismiss you on the grounds of being part time, you have legal redress.

HTH
KiKi