Changing my working days without my agreement? Legal?

Mrs_Optimist

I work in the legal sector. And I volunteered for redundancy a couple of years ago but was turned down. Nothing has changed with my hours for several years apart from now when a colleague wants to semi-retire and his working days have been agreed with him, and I am expected to cover the remaining days without any consultation whatsoever. My suggested compromise has been turned down flat.

I am unable to commit to working one of the suggested days as I am not always available.

Surely if I am expected to cover someone else there should at least be a discussion about it?

stevemLS

I too am a lawyer and always find it ironic when lawyers treat other lawyers or staff badly.

I kicked myself after I posted because I meant to say that, of course you should have been consulted.

Unless you work as something like a receptionist where cover is essential on fixed hours, I am surprised your employers are being so intransigent. If you are a lawyer or paralegal or similar surely it is more important to see that the work is done in a timely fashion in which case your days are largely irrelevant.

teabelly

If you do walk then I'd think the other person's semi retirement would be affected so I'd talk to that person first, suggest you are going to leave and they may go in and battle for your current days for you so they can get what they want too.