Change to terms & conditions after starting job

Moneysaver199

Started a job recently, was told at interview it was flexi-time and I even mentioned possibility of slightly earlier hours helping me avoid the traffic. While it's not a hugely long commute, it is longer than others in the office and this was mentioned at interview along with flexi time being mentioned. This was something that swayed me to take the job (it was one of the first jobs I applied for!), and I accepted it quickly knowing that it seemed good that despite the travel there was flexibility. From their side they were quite open that they wanted to get things moving as once they selected me they didn't want me finding something else meanwhile and letting them down. As I say, this discussion was quite open.

Fast forward, I start the job, obviously with a fixed start time on the first day. As I would expect. We get partway through the week and I ask about the hours and starting a bit earlier to avoid the traffic. My trainer is starting early so I figured it actually suited. I was told that they actually wanted someone to work xx to xx. Obviously I'm now puzzled about all this talk of flexi-time etc.

As it stands, I wouldn't have accepted the job had I known this. I had gone to interview with an open mind, as the job itself was a good fit (and still is).

Obviously I need to broach the subject again, I'm a bit annoyed about it, feel a bit like I've been duped. Not sure what advice I'm looking for really, but has anyone else been in this situation, can you suggest ways to express my feelings to them about it?

Edit to add: I do have reasons for wanting the flexibility, one car household and activities after work that are now a struggle to get to on time (for me and my partner).

duchy

If there is plenty of work around in your industry - and the only reason you took the job over others you were offered was the flex -then find another job that does have flex time and once offered the job (and assurances of actual hours) resign.

Either you want the job or you dont-.although it does sound a bit silly if the job is good in any other ways- Few jobs offer everything we'd like after all.

This is assuming you have already discussed this matter with your line manager and or HR -as it may just be a miscommunication.

Moneysaver199

Thanks

I'm going to discuss further to be sure. I was sort of brushed off when I asked.

The job has a commute, the flexi made me less concerned by the commute. Although I say the job is good, ie it's a good fit, others could be too. There's a lot of training to be done and I don't like to enter into that if I'm likely to just be looking for something closer to home. I don't need the money enough to have to stick with it while I look for a while. I'd rather not go through a load of training if I'd be moving on, and I also appreciate it's not good for them either. On a more local job I wouldn't need any flexibility.

I do really need to speak to them about it - to make sure but I don't like that I've been told one thing (quite an important thing!) and then it seems to not be the case. Bit of a loss of trust I suppose. It's bothering me.

FutureGirl

What does your contract say about hours?

Starlet

Moneysaver199 wrote: »

Started a job recently, was told at interview it was flexi-time and I even mentioned possibility of slightly earlier hours helping me avoid the traffic. While it's not a hugely long commute, it is longer than others in the office and this was mentioned at interview along with flexi time being mentioned. This was something that swayed me to take the job (it was one of the first jobs I applied for!), and I accepted it quickly knowing that it seemed good that despite the travel there was flexibility. From their side they were quite open that they wanted to get things moving as once they selected me they didn't want me finding something else meanwhile and letting them down. As I say, this discussion was quite open.

Fast forward, I start the job, obviously with a fixed start time on the first day. As I would expect. We get partway through the week and I ask about the hours and starting a bit earlier to avoid the traffic. My trainer is starting early so I figured it actually suited. I was told that they actually wanted someone to work xx to xx. Obviously I'm now puzzled about all this talk of flexi-time etc.

As it stands, I wouldn't have accepted the job had I known this. I had gone to interview with an open mind, as the job itself was a good fit (and still is).

Obviously I need to broach the subject again, I'm a bit annoyed about it, feel a bit like I've been duped. Not sure what advice I'm looking for really, but has anyone else been in this situation, can you suggest ways to express my feelings to them about it?

Edit to add: I do have reasons for wanting the flexibility, one car household and activities after work that are now a struggle to get to on time (for me and my partner).

If I were ever in that position, I would raise it in an email in the first instance (and would send a CC of the email to my own personal email address.)

Moneysaver199

Thanks folks. I did send and email which prompted a discussion. Contract doesn't mention flexi time as it's only available to office staff and the contract is more generic. I've not got a copy of the policy though and it's a normal flexi policy as you would expect. It turns out though that they don't really want folk using it. 'we can't just have folk coming and going as they please' was what was said. To be honest I didn't really want to work sporadic hours, just to get in early and away early which has now been agreed. Wasn't easy though, felt like they were making me feel guilty for even asking... they said they wished I'd asked at interview. It was discussed at interview, so I'm feeling rather puzzled! I think they just wanted me to be last out and lock up to be honest. Anyway I would have left had they not had any flexibility on it, so it now means I can continue. Bit unhappy about how it was handled though but I'll see how things go.

andygb

Unfortunately this is another example of an unscrupulous employer lying to a potential employee to entice them into a job.
I have had this happen on several occasions, and it really doesn't make for a good start to a job.

Moneysaver199

Thanks Andygb. That's how it feels. But then turned around to make me feel bad for asking. I almost felt like walking out. I had left my previous job without finding something else and could just as easily do it again. I worry that employers just think they can do what you like once they've sucked you in. Not very nice. Maybe it's just a blip, I'll ride it out and see. They certainly know I was prepared to walk away so hopefully no more problems.

Moneysaver199

Well, just thought I'd give an update. Things really didn't improve in the job and I decided to leave. Not nice having to do that and I feel like I've wasted these last few weeks on something that was never going to be right for me. It feels like anything I asked was being held against me and turned around on me. Not a very nice feeling when trying to settle into a new job and get to know people. I think my cards were marked for having the audacity to ask about what was talked about in interview (flexi time etc)! Well let's just say I can understand why they have recruitment problems now.

They didn't take it very well at all either when I said I was leaving. They didn't want me to work my notice (as I could have guessed), and although I had emailed to state my intentions discreetly, the follow up conversation (well one way dialogue) was conducted in front of the team. Says it all really. I'll be the next topic of conversation for a while...the previous staff were all quite openly spoken about in front of me. How awful they were, how someone dared to retire early because of partner's illness, and also comments about people's weight. Nice!

getmore4less

It can be a good idea to clarify in the acceptance letter, any thing that is not in standard contracts or in the offer and discretionary, that acceptance is based on the things agreed at interview.

or to enter preacceptance dialog clarifying the terms.

Newwashingmachine

Moneysaver199 wrote: »

Well, just thought I'd give an update. Things really didn't improve in the job and I decided to leave. Not nice having to do that and I feel like I've wasted these last few weeks on something that was never going to be right for me. It feels like anything I asked was being held against me and turned around on me. Not a very nice feeling when trying to settle into a new job and get to know people. I think my cards were marked for having the audacity to ask about what was talked about in interview (flexi time etc)! Well let's just say I can understand why they have recruitment problems now.

They didn't take it very well at all either when I said I was leaving. They didn't want me to work my notice (as I could have guessed), and although I had emailed to state my intentions discreetly, the follow up conversation (well one way dialogue) was conducted in front of the team. Says it all really. I'll be the next topic of conversation for a while...the previous staff were all quite openly spoken about in front of me. How awful they were, how someone dared to retire early because of partner's illness, and also comments about people's weight. Nice!

They sound like a bunch of idiots. Better off out of it. Next time get everything in writing up front. The fact they made the discussions in front of the team - that's tantamount to bullying - don't they have the courage to speak on a one to one with you. Good luck in your job hunt.