Advice needed, re: Sunday working

Southend1

Takeaway_Addict wrote: »

I don't disagree about the asserting of rights, I do disagree with the opt out law on Sundays but that's by the by but I think you also realise that realistically whilst they might be about asserting the right's there is a high chance it will make them unpopular and whilst nothing might come from this there has to be a bit of realism that it could and the OP would find it very difficult to prove that this was the reason.

That's the choice the OP seems willing to take and that's upto him, as someone pointed out (Ohreally?) they might just employ someone to work this day and actually it could improve the employers flexibility.

It was me

One thing I noticed when working in retail is that the long hours culture is entrenched but it needn't be as it is so easy to hire willing hands to cover Sundays/public holidays/ late opening etc. I found that the store I worked in operated best with a core full time Monday to Friday staff supported by part timers to cover peak trading plus weekend/holiday contracts (often students) to cover those days. This allowed maximum flexibility while still providing decent full time contracts and allowing those staff who wanted Sundays off to take them. Of course they could opt in to weekend or evening overtime if the wanted but nobody was forced.

Takeaway_Addict

Southend1 wrote: »

It was me

One thing I noticed when working in retail is that the long hours culture is entrenched but it needn't be as it is so easy to hire willing hands to cover Sundays/public holidays/ late opening etc. I found that the store I worked in operated best with a core full time Monday to Friday staff supported by part timers to cover peak trading plus weekend/holiday contracts (often students) to cover those days. This allowed maximum flexibility while still providing decent full time contracts and allowing those staff who wanted Sundays off to take them. Of course they could opt in to weekend or evening overtime if the wanted but nobody was forced.

My apologies for not giving you your due recognition

persa

Southend1 wrote: »

It may make OP unpopular (though it may not) if he asserts his rights at work but they are his rights and of he wants to assert them he should be able to do so without fear.

There is little worse than working with colleagues who hate you.

I've argued to enforce rights which benefit the masses as a whole, but I'd never enforce rights which benefit me and disadvantage them. What with travel, many people spend more time with their co-workers than their own families. It therefore is often worth keeping the peace!

vroombroom

I work in a supermarket and don't work on a Sunday. I've been asked before and the reason I don't is because it's the only day we get off as a family together. OH works Mon-Fri 8am-5pm and 8-12 on a Saturday, I work Mon/Tues/Wed/Fri nights from 6pm and all day on a Saturday till 10pm.

FBaby

We don't know the circumstances with the OP. He might have a very good reason for opting out that co-workers would totally respect, or maybe they don't really care because something changed in their circumstances that means that it will suits them fine.

In the end, you've gathered OP that you were in the right to opt out and you have done so. Hopefully before doing so, you had estimated the impact flexing your rights might have on your employment so that by doing so, you are not putting yourself at risk of losing your job, or some flexible conditions that your employer was giving you as a supportive employer, but could take right out because it is totally in their rights to do so. Rights do apply both ways, but hopefully you have taken this into account and all will work out ok for you.