Boxing Day Hours

bea1

Hi,
This is the first time I have posted so would be grateful if you could be patient with me!

I work for 'not just any shop' and my contracted hours on Boxing Day are 20.00 - 00.00. The shop will not be open or operating during those hours so I have been told I have to move my hours to 15.00 - 19.00h.

This is despite the fact that I have young children (under 10), help to care for my disabled mother in law and this is the only day over christmas I get to see my family.

I have told them that I can work the hours I am contraced as the children and my mother-in-law will be in bed by then.

They have told other staff who are due to work on
Christmas eve that they dont need to come in as the shop will only be open for half of their shift.

Doesn't seem we are all being treated equitably - I am the only person who does this shift, who has been told to come in.

Just wondered if anyone knows if they can force me to accept this change for that day only? Thank you

paddedjohn

How long have you worked there? Does it say anything in your contract about changing your hours to suit the business?

bea1

I've worked there for just over five years. We don't have copies of contract but terms and conditions are in folder at store for us to look at 'any time we like' so will check tonight - I have a feeling the wording will be in their favour!

Buellguy

bea1 wrote: »

Hi,
This is the first time I have posted so would be grateful if you could be patient with me!

I work for 'not just any shop' and my contracted hours on Boxing Day are 20.00 - 00.00. The shop will not be open or operating during those hours so I have been told I have to move my hours to 15.00 - 19.00h.

This is despite the fact that I have young children (under 10), help to care for my disabled mother in law and this is the only day over christmas I get to see my family.

I have told them that I can work the hours I am contraced as the children and my mother-in-law will be in bed by then.

They have told other staff who are due to work on
Christmas eve that they dont need to come in as the shop will only be open for half of their shift.

Doesn't seem we are all being treated equitably - I am the only person who does this shift, who has been told to come in.

Just wondered if anyone knows if they can force me to accept this change for that day only? Thank you

OK no expert (in any way) but (my bold) might be the way to approach them, not being treated equally

miduck

Buellguy wrote: »

OK no expert (in any way) but (my bold) might be the way to approach them, not being treated equally

This argument would fail. The Christmas eve staff will not be working because there will be nobody at the store.

The appropriate comparators for the OP would be those that work the same hours as her.

OP, who cares for your MIL and children when you are at work normally?

duchy

It looks like the OP works after her kids and MIL are in bed.

Personally with 5 year's service I would simply say "I can't get additional childcare for those hours on a bank holiday so cannot work those changed hours on that day" . No decent company is going to sack you for it .....the publicity alone wouldn't be worth it for such a pretty attitude.

Pretty ridiculous anyway-doesn't take a rocket scientist to realise a single mum isn't going to have childcare on Boxing day . Of course if the OP isn't a single parent it does rather beg the question why their father can't look after them.

As Boxing day is a holiday -I have a feeling you can't be forced to work it however-but again worth checking you contract for "needs of the business" clause .

paddedjohn

Do you have any hols left? Can't you just book the day off?

bea1

Thank you everyone for your interesting comments and questions.

My husband looks after children when I'm at work but we both need to be around for MIL to lift as not a one person job which is why these hours fit my family.

The contract does have a clause permitting them to change hours 'in line with needs of the business but after consultation and taking into account employee commitments'. On this occasion they tell me that the needs of the business override the needs of family and that I should pay a carer to cover the time they need me in the shop.

I can't book holiday as we aren't alowed to take leave from end Nov through to start Jan.

tonyh66

bea1 wrote: »

Hi,
This is the first time I have posted so would be grateful if you could be patient with me!

I work for 'not just any shop' and my contracted hours on Boxing Day are 20.00 - 00.00. The shop will not be open or operating during those hours so I have been told I have to move my hours to 15.00 - 19.00h.

This is despite the fact that I have young children (under 10), help to care for my disabled mother in law and this is the only day over christmas I get to see my family.

I have told them that I can work the hours I am contraced as the children and my mother-in-law will be in bed by then.

They have told other staff who are due to work on
Christmas eve that they dont need to come in as the shop will only be open for half of their shift.

Doesn't seem we are all being treated equitably - I am the only person who does this shift, who has been told to come in.

Just wondered if anyone knows if they can force me to accept this change for that day only? Thank you

just wondering about this bit? are you saying you work with others but they are getting the time off or are working their normal hours (20.00 - 00.00)?
This is what I would be focussing on as being unfair.

bea1

Good point, there are others who normally work that shift with me, who are getting the night off - paid - so I should pursue the unfairness angle.

mountainofdebt

Of course if you asked someone really nicely they may offer to cover this shift