Asking for Change Of Shift due to Family Issues

Beancounter

3 months ago I changed to a night shift role in my company after being there on days for the previous 14 months. I really enjoy the job and thought I would be ok on nights but circumstances have changed.

My father has a serious lung problem and has just last week been diagnosed with Dementia and I am finding it impossible to balance looking after him and work.

We have a carer going in 3 times a day but he lives on his own and I feel really bad about sometimes going 7 days without seeing him. We live 17 miles away and after a 12 hour shift and a 6-7 hours sleep I just don't have the time to go visit. I did try to go in just for half an hour for a while but was totally exhausted.

Has anyone had a situation like this and have you approached your boss or HR to explain. I am a little apprehensive asking the question as the 4 of us who moved onto shift were put on a 3 month probationary period and I am concerned it may jeopordise my position as my old day shift job was filled. How should I approach them about this?

I did consider this situation before accepting the move but didn't think his condition would deteriorate and I would be finding the change of shift so tough to handle anyway.

InsideInsurance

Probation periods can only effect contractual things like bonuses, notice periods etc

The issue will be that being there for 17 months then they can get rid of you without reason if they want by just giving you notice. You will be better placed to know how the company/ your managers generally are than anyone else. I've certainly known companies that are very flexible when it comes to people asking for changes to shift patterns etc, some to the extent that it created bad will with the other employees

Undervalued

Whilst you have a right to request flexible working, and the firm must consider it, they don't have to agree.

That is not to say they won't.

Your only useful legal right is to SHORT (which is undefined) periods of unpaid leave to deal with EMERGENCY situations (also undefined).
Generally this means time to arrange care rather than time to provide it if you see what I mean.

Beancounter

I have a suspicion that they would listen to me and be sympathetic, I would just worry that I may end up in a bad job there and I may be better keeping the status quo for the time being till I find something else.

As for care, we do have care in place, it is more for visits to my dad. His condition means that everything is done to the clock rather than convienience and me working different days all the time jsut adds to his confused state.

specialboy

OP, surely you can find a way to go visit him and stay on nights. I've been on a night shift for 6/7 years now and find I ave plenty of time to go visit people or get things done, it's all about managing your time.

Beancounter

specialboy wrote: »

OP, surely you can find a way to go visit him and stay on nights. I've been on a night shift for 6/7 years now and find I ave plenty of time to go visit people or get things done, it's all about managing your time.

12 hour shift, home by 6.30am, chill for a while before bed, bed at 7, up at 2pm, breakfast and shower and any take care of other business that doesn't stop for work, out at 3pm, 45 minutes travel to my dads, 45 minutes back home, change and prepare for work and out the door at 5.30 again.

Yeah, loads of time! Tried it for a week and was exhausted. Maybe you have the stamina to do that indefinatly, I certainly don't I'm afraid.

tomtontom

Beancounter wrote: »

12 hour shift, home by 6.30am, chill for a while before bed, bed at 7, up at 2pm, breakfast and shower and any take care of other business that doesn't stop for work, out at 3pm, 45 minutes travel to my dads, 45 minutes back home, change and prepare for work and out the door at 5.30 again.

Yeah, loads of time! Tried it for a week and was exhausted. Maybe you have the stamina to do that indefinatly, I certainly don't I'm afraid.

Would that not be the same working days though, or are you looking to do shorter shifts? You do adapt on nights, it just takes time.

Beancounter

tomtontom wrote: »

Would that not be the same working days though, or are you looking to do shorter shifts? You do adapt on nights, it just takes time.

On a day job it would be a 4.30 finish, plenty of time to attend to things.

clairec79

If you do longer shifts with nights don't you get more days off though? I appreciate this may mean you can't go everyday

Beancounter

clairec79 wrote: »

If you do longer shifts with nights don't you get more days off though? I appreciate this may mean you can't go everyday

Yeah, I get 4 days off at a time. The point is though that the lack of routine is having a detrimental effect on my dad and 6-7 days on shift at a time is not working for me.

After 3 months there is no shame in admitting it's not for me.

Andypandyboy

If it was me I would stick it out till I was beyond the 2 year mark.....