I only want 16hours

luvvlyjubbly

Dunroamin wrote: »

But, if you're turning down work, you're not really trying to better yourself, are you?

Twenty five hours' work when all your children are of school age, isn't a great deal.

And you would know?
and they are not at school at the weekend and holidays when I am working

Sambucus_Nigra

I think looking after 6 kids as a single parent is more than enough work to be going on with - let alone working as well. I know I couldn't do it.

OP - just ignore the people who have a go. They are not widows with 6 kids and cannot possibly judge you. More work does not automatically mean you are a better person.

valk_scot

I would have a discussion with your line manager or whoever draws up the work rota. Explain that though you're very grateful for the opportunity you'd prefer to keep your hours at 16 per week when possible but that of course you're willing to be as flexible as they like within this. And it goes without saying that you'll do your best to be reliable and turn up to do extra when they're really needing staff of course, just that most of the time you'd prefer the 16 hours.

TBH though it might not go down well, there will be plenty of others after your job that will turn up willingly for every hour offered so be careful, you don't want to talk yourself straight out the door again. It's one thing asking for preferential treatment after you've been there for a while and proved yourself to be a loyal and hardworking member of staff, quite another to go in as an unknown quantity and start asking for things that may not be in line with what they do there.

And if your kids are 9+ btw get them to do some of the housework...;)

Aryndeneth

Dunroamin wrote: »

But, if you're turning down work, you're not really trying to better yourself, are you?

Twenty five hours' work when all your children are of school age, isn't a great deal.

If OP hasn't worked for some time, surely actively finding herself work is to be applauded? Going back to work and managing 6 kids will be quite an adjustment. Lets not judge what she should do but support the steps taken so far. Once OP is comfortable in managing 16 hours, she may find she can do more but I don't think she should be made to feel bad for not doing it all straight-away.

As for those who are saying "I work more hours and manage etc etc" bully for you! But you aren't OP and not everybody manages the same way. I am sure there are plenty of people out there who haven't taken the steps OP has. Something is better than nothing.

KiKi

To answer the OP's question, rather than criticising her for having 6 children (suggesting she should have thought "if my partner dies can I cope?" is a very tactless comment, I feel)...

OP, you need to have a conversation with your manager and explain that you took the role because of the hours. There is bound to be something in the contract / policies which says they may ask you to do more hours. You could ask for a contract and sign it, and hold them to that, but they're still likely to want some flexibility.

However, please be aware that the reality is that if you challenge this, they may decide to get rid of you and there won't be anything you can do about that. So you need to plan the conversation and think about how you're going to position that.

KiKi

luvvlyjubbly

Thanks for the advice and support.....as i don't actually start working there until Wednesday I will wait and see whats what....it may well be them being generous and offering me more hours as they may think i want it and will say i prefer to only do the 16 if possible...i would imagine the contract will arrive some time this week so i will have a good read of it.

In the meantime I may finally get through to JSA to tell them i have started work, thats if I ever stop being put on hold and passed from pilar to post.......this is what I mean about the hassle of extra hours, don't want to spend my time being put on hold forever just to say i have worked an extra hour.......been trying for over 2 hours to do just this today!

dizzyrascal

Sambucus_Nigra wrote: »

I think looking after 6 kids as a single parent is more than enough work to be going on with - let alone working as well. I know I couldn't do it.

OP - just ignore the people who have a go. They are not widows with 6 kids and cannot possibly judge you. More work does not automatically mean you are a better person.

Lets not forget that this is a minimum wage job too (I presume) so working extra hours may make little difference financially but might mean that she is not able to claim a reduction in Council Tax and she might loose some of her Child tax credits. Also, it is much easier for Tax Credits to keep it the same every week. That way you won't be chased for over payments, as they do !!!! up constantly.
I brought up 3 children on my own so I admire the OP. Can't have been easy being a widow with so many young ones around, especially twins. Brad and Angelina have an army of staff to help them!!

pompeyrich

Aryndeneth wrote: »

If OP hasn't worked for some time, surely actively finding herself work is to be applauded? Going back to work and managing 6 kids will be quite an adjustment. Lets not judge what she should do but support the steps taken so far. Once OP is comfortable in managing 16 hours, she may find she can do more but I don't think she should be made to feel bad for not doing it all straight-away.

As for those who are saying "I work more hours and manage etc etc" bully for you! But you aren't OP and not everybody manages the same way. I am sure there are plenty of people out there who haven't taken the steps OP has. Something is better than nothing.

Fine words indeed and no arguement from me in what the OP has achieved under extremely difficult circumstances.

However the "system" will dictate that doing anymore than 16 hours, whether the OP can cope or not, will be unviable, as any benefits are removed at, I believe very close to 100% removal.

Lip_Stick

I recently had an interview for Greggs for 16hrs (wondering if you've got that job lol). During the interview the area manager was saying I'd need to be completely flexible for times I'd agreed, up to the 16 hrs. So she was saying if you said you'd work weekends, you would have to work them if asked, but they couldn't demand anything out of your contracted hours. She also stated that you could do as little or as much overtime as you wanted if it was available.

I think one of the reasons I didn't impress in my interview was the fact that when she asked what I liked about Greggs, I didn't once mention the food. Their sausage rolls are vile!

princessdon

The problems you are facing are known to be an issue and under UC this is "supposed to be addressed" whereby you can keep more of your earnings and have less paperwork.

How this will work, remains to be seen.

I know many parents who have been out of work for a long time and once they hit their routine they enjoy the company, the different type of friendships and often take the extra hours as they enjoy it, who knows what you will feel it's too early I guess.

Other advice is spot on, try to work your hours out best to suit you, as to risk losing your job (and a possible sanction) needs consideration.