Change of contract of employment - please help!?

Elizabeth2012

I have worked for the same company for 3 years. When I started I was given a contract of 40 hours a week, all was fine.

I have been on Maternity leave for last 9 months and am now due to return back to work. For obvious reasons I was unable to return on 40 hours a week and asked if I could drop to just 3 days a week totaling 24 hours. They were at first very reluctant to let me reduce my hours but eventually agreed but on the understanding that they would not be able to offer me a permanent contract and I would have to go onto a casual contract and just put my trust in them that they would give me the 24 hours a week, not happy!!!

I have now found a new job, its the same job position but offering me a permanent contract and much better benefits. I would like to know where I stand on notice period?

My Maternity ended two weeks ago and I am currently using holiday owed to me from last year. So technically I have officially returned to work on my new 24 hour casual contract, although I haven't received my new contract yet!
My old contract states its a 1 month notice period but as I am now on a casual contract would this still apply? I have tried to do a bit of research and I've read that when on a casual contract you only need to legally give a week? please help!?

Takeaway_Addict

You do realise the company didn't have to offer you anything else except the job you left right? So if you weren't happy with what they offered then it was a choice of going back to full time or leaving....as you are doing.

They've done nothing wrong on this point.

As for the notice, can you clarify exactly what your contracted hours are, if its 0 hours then you have as much right to say no to work as they have in not giving you work and as such you can give whatever notice you want and then refuse shifts as you are not contracted to do X amount of hours.

Elizabeth2012

I know that about the job, I just wasn't happy about my contract being changed from permanent to casual, that's not the issue.

The issue is what my new contract means when handing in my notice. I'm not contracted to any hours, just based as as and when needed. But they've promised me a min of 24 hours which I had to trust them with.

Takeaway_Addict

If you are on a zero contract then give notice and refuse all shifts as you are not compelled to work them. But make sure you definately are on a zero hour contract (ie have it in writing)


Or just ask your current employer regarding the situation. They maybe happy to let you go straight away.