An impossible situation

Mootoo

I'm a single parent, and I have a 17hr contract (1yr 2months) with a supermarket that begins with A and ends in A My contracted hours are Tues night, Thurs night and Sat 8hrs. When I took the job, my Mum was living with me and was my live in babysitter for my 6yr old.

However, in January she passed away Leaving me with only my Sister (who works weekends) locally and friends to call on for favours. My section leader was lovely and very understanding of my childcare issues. We agreed new hours, that were very school time friendly, and no weekends.

I've been working these hours since February and its been working really well. I was happy and love my job. However, the personnel manager pulled me up a couple of weeks ago saying that it was only ever a temporary measure as its company policy that everyone works at least one day at the weekend. No one told me that at the time though. I've not managed to magic up any family since Mum died, and I can't call on friends for favours every weekend. After speaking to them, they've asked if I can do every other Sunday but 9-3 which is still gong to be really difficult. They've also just put out rotas covering Xmas and NY, almost doubling my contract hours for both weeks, and they are the most ridiculously family unfriendly hours (including NY day). We've been told if we refuse to work these hours, we face a disciplinary. Now I'm in tears every night worrying and I'm not sure what to do. I know they have a business to run, but they've managed since Feb without me working weekends, why now? They've admitted that I'm good at my job and I regularly train others so they obviously have confidence in me. Does anyone know if I can tackle them about any of this, or is my only option to look for something else? I really don't want to

SarEl

I'm afraid the answer to why now may be "It's Christmas", and these are the business needs. I went to my local supermarket on Wednesday for a couple of things as usual - because it is always empty during the day on Wednesday. After circling the car park to find a space three times (and thinking several times, "do I really need these things").... Sorry, but they are busy. Insanely so.

The key to this, however, id what does your contract say? I suspect that what it says, having seen a few of them for that employer, is that you have guaranteed minimum hours but can be required to work more as they need and whatever hours they need. In which case I am afraid that negotiation is your only real tool - and if that fails then you must work as required or face the consequences. I know it isn't "fair" but I am afaid that employment frequently isn't. Sorry

LannieDuck

I can't help on the employment side much, however I wonder whether you've considered getting a regular babysitter for the weekend shift?

It wouldn't help with xmas/NY, but if you have regular shifts in the new year you should be able to get a regular childcare arrangement sorted.

Wellery82

I would lay your cards down with the personnel manager, and try and have your section leader present also. If you can try and explain the fact this simply isn't an option for you, but try and reach some kind of compromise they may consider it. Play on your record to date, your flexibility on other shifts, your good customer service, the fact you will train others etc.

Good luck

dawyldthing

are there any local weekend classes or anything she could join for a few hours most weeks and then the remainder go to a childminder? as I think you can claim some of what you pay to the childminder off the taxman (not totally sure how you do it, just know my friend could when one looked after her lil one)

cr1mson

Is there anyone who you can swap childcare with i.e. you care for their child/children whilst they work and they care for yours whilst you work?

I know you say you're a single parent but is Dad involved at all? If so could he help? If not him what about his parents? I know these may not be options.

C

Judith_W

I can understand where the business is coming from, but if at the end of the day you can't get reliable cover, I suggest you start looking for another job and speak to your personnel manager and section manager advising you'll have to leave if they cannot accommodate your needs. Hopefully they value your training and abilities and will seek to accommodate you, but if they can't, and you can't get care, you'll need a new job.

Would it be financially viable to try and find a babysitter who can cover the weekend hours?

kevelesopnic

I used to manage a sizable call centre and we regularly had these issues when scheduling working mums at peak periods. The most common solution was to swap shifts with someone who can work the shift(s) you have been scheduled for. Most students were only too willing for the extra hours and we found muslim or other non christian staff were usual flexible over xmas (perhaps in return for working one of their shifts for when they have been scheduled for work for their own religious celebrations). These 'informal' arrangements can help the business and employee, flexibility from all parties is key

ohreally

Don't get involved in swapping shifts. You had a problem and a solution was negotiated and agreed by your supervisor.
If HR insist on putting their oar in, request the policy they refer to and take it a union rep to have a chat (you are a menber of GMB?).

kevelesopnic

and take along to that meeting, the written agreement you had with your supervisor that you could work 'school-friendly' shifts

Traceyg

Unfortunatley unless you have seen your people manager, filled in an application form and had it approved by them for change of hours due to child care issues then you are well and truely stuffed, whatever arrangement has been made with your section leader has no binding contract.

My other half put in a holiday request in January for a day off in April and got it point blank refused even though at the time we had no childcare.

If I said things on here that supermarket I would get banned, one of the worst employers going.