Single parent working rights

kellydobbie

Hi guys! I have a question, I work 16 hours and have a 7 year old child. I also am a full time student. For years now i have worked 2 mornings and every second weekend (when hes at his dads). My employers have now told me I have to work one extra saturday a month and get time off through the week, but as i am a single mum, I have no childcare at all! Can they do this?

Thanks in advance folks

kingfisherblue

What does your contract say? Does it specify the days you work?

kellydobbie

It was 7 years since ive seen my contract so I cant remember. I know my payslip says contracted no of days 3

Savvy_Sue

You are going to have to find your contract or ask your employer what it says: if it specifies that you work x day, y day and every other Saturday, then you are in a stronger position than if it says x days / y hours.

kellydobbie

I'm pretty sure it doesn't specify days and times,so looks like bad news for me

SandC

Wouldn't your ex like to have your son for that extra Saturday per month? Bear in mind how useful it will be to have the day off during the week when it's school hols. Worth asking his dad isn't it?

kellydobbie

He works opposite weekends to me so he can't have him

Dunroamin

I thought you didn't start at college until September?

getmore4less

What is the business need for the change?

kellydobbie

No I'm in Scotland we start in august. They need change because they need more staff on a weekend

Savvy_Sue

If everyone's contracts are being changed, is there anyone who feels the same way about this but wants to do more weekends and can't do weekdays? it's not a perfect solution, because it does get tricky drawing up rotas when x only does these days and y never does those days, but would informal swapping be allowed?

If you can present a solution alongside your request to retain your current arrangements, you may get further than if you present a problem.