Quick query on a new contract of employment please

shireknight

Hi forum members,

For the last 8 years I have worked 5x12 hour shifts =60 hours a week.

About 20 months ago my company was brought by a larger company and they have just finally got around to sorting out new contracts.

Firstly the commencement of employment date states the date I started at the new company not the old one so obviously I shall insist this is changed so no worries there, however it's the hours of work paragraph that has me slightly concerned, it reads :-

Your normal hours of work are flexible and are to be determined according to the weekly rota.

Should I agree to this clause because as I read it it's basically saying that at any time the company could turn around and change the rota to only give me for example 2x12 hour shifts one week and there's nothing I can do about it.

Is that correct please, should I insist it's changed to state that my normal hours of work are 60 hours per week?

justanopinion

Hi Shireknight,

You need to look at your original contract and see what is written there. When you Tupe to a new role, your original contract terms, if they are more favorable to the new companies, are protected.

However, in practice, terms and conditions of contracts can be changed by having a reasonable consultation.

They may be wary of wanting a contracted week of 60 hours a week. This is a looooong period of working to be honest and means you've opted out of the 48 hour working regulations.

If you have continued to work the same shifts in the 20 months it's taken them to "sort it out," I would not be unduly concerned. They've pretty much accepted that those shifts are the norm as by continuing them it's accepted custom and practice.

Yes, do get the start date changed, or a line added that states that the original employment commenced on xxx date.

shireknight

Thanks a lot justanopinion I won't worry about that clause then I'll just get the employment date amended, the rest of the contract is pretty much standard stuff.