contracted hours query

kasharic

Hi.
I work as a cashier for a high street bookmakers who are in the process of making a transition to lone-manning in the evenings. As a consequence, the number of cashier hours in our shops is decreasing, leaving me uncertain that I will get in my contracted 31 hours each week. The other cashier in my shop is on 27 hours, but the total cashier hours for our shop will soon be reduced to 40.

At the moment, management seem to imply that we will be able to get our hours in other shops, but of course these shops will be experiencing the exact same issue, with not enough cashier hours to go around. Our line managers are also arguing that the situation will be helped by sickness or by some cashiers leaving voluntarily. However, this does little to ease our concern about where or when we can get our contracted hours in.

My query here is just to seek advice, and what we should do if we find ourselves in a position where we simply can't fit our hours in - is there a legal obligation to be paid our contracted hours anyway? Throughout this whole process I have repeatedly stated that I am prepared to fulfill my hours in other shops if necessary, and have been as flexible as possible with the hours.

Thank you for reading, and thank you for any thoughts or advice you may be able to reply with.

Savvy_Sue

Depends what your contract states, I would have thought ...

Are they fixed hours, or variable shifts?

And obviously they can reduce your contracted hours, which you can object to, but ... I would be looking around elsewhere!

Southend1

Is there a recognised union? If so ask your rep what was discussed when they were consulted on the changes.

It may be that through natural wastage, sickness and holiday absence there are still enough hours for you.

If you're contracted for a certain number of hours it's up to your employer to provide the work and they should still pay you even if you're sat around in the shop waiting for something to do. Of course as Sue says they can seek to change your contracted hours so it may be an idea to start looking around at what other jobs are available.