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

skintandscared_2

CornishWildFlower wrote: »

Don't jump all over me about it, whether she's been at work or not, she's been employed. It's not something (as previously said) that I would personally do, but it is an avenue open to her if she truly has no other option or feels that she hasn't. Simple as.

I'm not jumping all over you, but I'm sorry it is NOT an avenue open to her! You cannot get a GP to instruct your employer to let you stop working Saturday nights because you can't get childcare!! So not quite "simple as" I'm afraid!

kingfisherblue

I did suggest earlier in the thread that the OP might be able to ask her mother to have the baby overnight and the OP and/or her partner collect the baby after their shift ends, so that the OP's mum can then go to work. It would mean that the OP and her partner would have to sacrifice some sleep each on the Sunday, but it would be a way round their current situation. It wouldn't cost anything (unless mum wants to be paid) and the OP wouldn't lose any money by dropping a shift.

It would be helpful if the OP could reply to this possible solution.

CornishWildFlower

skintandscared wrote: »

I'm not jumping all over you, but I'm sorry it is NOT an avenue open to her! You cannot get a GP to instruct your employer to let you stop working Saturday nights because you can't get childcare!! So not quite "simple as" I'm afraid!

Refer to post #76. GP's will often support such requests, I have seen it first hand and, incidentally, suffered for it.

A request that I had made to change my working hours was passed over in favour of someone else requesting the same (much later) but, with the backing of their GP.

Pollycat

Dunroamin wrote: »

She hasn't been at work for months!

Dunroamin

Game, set & match to you, I believe. :rotfl:

CornishWildFlower wrote: »

Failing all else (and it's personally not a route I would take lightly, by any stretch) see your GP and explain your situation, they may instruct the company to seek a solution i.e. reduce your hours, if it is causing you stress.

After reading the above post, I'm now questioning the OP's original post.

Is the OP really saying that her employer is refusing to allow her to reduce her hours by dropping her Saturday evening shift?

Or (as per her post #4) has she asked to keep the same hours but change her days of work?

There's a world of difference between the two scenarios.

lovinituk

Pollycat wrote: »

Is the OP really saying that her employer is refusing to allow her to reduce her hours by dropping her Saturday evening shift?

Or (as per her post #4) has she asked to keep the same hours but change her days of work?

There's a world of difference between the two scenarios.

OPs opening post says about dropping the shift.

Dunroamin

CornishWildFlower wrote: »

Don't jump all over me about it, whether she's been at work or not, she's been employed. It's not something (as previously said) that I would personally do, but it is an avenue open to her if she truly has no other option or feels that she hasn't. Simple as.

Finishing a statement by a silly comment like "simple as", doesn't make it true.

hoo

OP do you have any A/L that you could take on these Saturdays to help you out short term this way you still get paid.
From the business point of view as a manager we often have this situation people wanting to drop shifts here and there and you don't want to appear harsh declining but also it has to be something you can cover with another staff member picking it up or something to recruit to. Not many people want "one" shift a week and also not often a weekend- seriously we've advertised loads and believe me the hrly rate is very good for the job role and the company has a good rep. OP do you work Sundays also? If not this could be you bargaining tool as then it won't look like you just want weekends off?

skintandscared_2

CornishWildFlower wrote: »

It happens, day in and day out. Not everybody feels the need, I haven't and millions of others haven't, but it is there for those that do.

Exactly WHAT is there? Please post for me the actual working directive legislation that permits a GP to instruct a company to change an employee's hours because they can't get childcare. I am seriously confused now and honestly don't know what you are talking about.

Pollycat

lovinituk wrote: »

OPs opening post says about dropping the shift.

Absolutely agree with that.

But the OP then goes on to say in post #4 about changing shifts:

missdisney666 wrote: »

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.

In fact, in that one post she switches between 'dropping a shift' to 'changing shifts' several times.

change/swap = 3
drop = 1

C'mon, OP, what exactly did you ask your employer?

CornishWildFlower

skintandscared wrote: »

Exactly WHAT is there? Please post for me the actual working directive legislation that permits a GP to instruct a company to change an employee's hours because they can't get childcare. I am seriously confused now and honestly don't know what you are talking about.

If the OP were to walk into her GP and say that her working hours were causing her stress as she was unable to make adequate provision for her newborn child, and even hint at becoming depressed, you can bet your bottom dollar that a letter would be whizzing it's way to her HR dept. Where depression is a possibility (particularly in a new mother) an employer has a duty of care.