work not letting me drop a shift so i can look after new baby

missdisney666

hello i was hoping for some advice people.

im due back at work in a couple of weeks after being on maternity, ive informed my employers that i need to drop a shift because i need to watch my son that night because cant get babysitters as family members are working next morning etc,

they have refused to let me saying they cant, but what do they want me to do? leave him home alone? cos theres no way i will do that!

im appauled at how uncaring and useless and unaccomodating they are being,

so, i was wondering if i just left my job or let them sack me, would the inland revenue make up the money id be losing? because unless they can i cant afford to leave because we need every penny but i feel stuck because they wont let me drop the night i need to drop so i can look after my baby, really need some advice,

thanks very much x

welshmoneylover

missdisney666 wrote: »

hello i was hoping for some advice people.

im due back at work in a couple of weeks after being on maternity, ive informed my employers that i need to drop a shift because i need to watch my son that night because cant get babysitters as family members are working next morning etc,

they have refused to let me saying they cant, but what do they want me to do? leave him home alone? cos theres no way i will do that!

im appauled at how uncaring and useless and unaccomodating they are being,

so, i was wondering if i just left my job or let them sack me, would the inland revenue make up the money id be losing? because unless they can i cant afford to leave because we need every penny but i feel stuck because they wont let me drop the night i need to drop so i can look after my baby, really need some advice,

thanks very much x

I believe you can request flexible working but they are within their right to refuse if the needs of the business can't be met.

What plan did you have in place for childcare before taking maternity leave?

shedboy94

missdisney666 wrote: »

hello i was hoping for some advice people.

im due back at work in a couple of weeks after being on maternity, ive informed my employers that i need to drop a shift because i need to watch my son that night because cant get babysitters as family members are working next morning etc,

they have refused to let me saying they cant, but what do they want me to do? leave him home alone? cos theres no way i will do that!

im appauled at how uncaring and useless and unaccomodating they are being,

so, i was wondering if i just left my job or let them sack me, would the inland revenue make up the money id be losing? because unless they can i cant afford to leave because we need every penny but i feel stuck because they wont let me drop the night i need to drop so i can look after my baby, really need some advice,

thanks very much x

Simply....no. If you gave up work and had your money made up do you not think everyone would do the same? Did you discuss your shift patterns with your employer before becoming pregnant? Can your partner not look after your child?

missdisney666

yes discussed shift patterns before i went on maternity they said back then it should be fine to change shifts because i had a child to look after, now they are saying they cant when yeh they can easily they are just being awkward and we didnt think about looking into childcare earlier because of work saying it should be fine to drop that shift now we are in a predicament because of them changing their minds if theyd said sooner i couldnt swap shifts then id have looked into alternative childcare and partner cant watch him either as we both work the same night that i need to change.

karenx

Nobody will make up the shortfall. If you leave work you could claim JSA and need to be seeking employment. And this lasts 6 months if you qualify for contributions based

Dunroamin

karenx wrote: »

Nobody will make up the shortfall. If you leave work you could claim JSA and need to be seeking employment. And this lasts 6 months if you qualify for contributions based

And you may be sanctioned for leaving the job voluntarily.

Kiboko

Is there a chance a fellow worker might swap a shift with you? Sadly your predicament highlights the reason why it's a good idea to get all agreements from your employer in writing rather than verbally. Working nights means that regular childcare arrangements are not possible so they are being unreasonable IMHO

smileytiger

Can your partner swap his shift to another night - it can't hurt for him to ask?

Dognobs

Is it a friday or saturday night by any chance? Loads of people at my work try that one! What does your contract say.

sammyjammy

Have you actually put a formal request in writing?

missdisney666

We have Downloaded flexible working forms but been told they can refuse it and nobody will swap with me they are horrible bunch of people and they dont like to work saturday nights and no my partner cant change his nights cos dont you think if he was allowed to change his shifts then i would be allowed aswell and if he was allowed then i wouldnt need to ask advice cos it would be sorted already. All my friends say they should accomodate me not refuse me not sure what to think or do anymore.