Reducing Hours...New Contract?

laneycakes

My other half is going from full time to part time at his own request. He's a permanent member of staff and has been for over 10 years.

His manager is trying to get him to sign a new contract - but i was under the impression that a change of hours wouldn't require a completely new contract - Simply a variation of hours, as its not a new job.

We have asked for a copy of his existing contract - but as yet its not been forthcoming....

So should he sign this new contract? or should it be something more like a form/letter to sign agreeing to the change in hours?

Thanks:cool:

sangie595

laneycakes wrote: »

My other half is going from full time to part time at his own request. He's a permanent member of staff and has been for over 10 years.

His manager is trying to get him to sign a new contract - but i was under the impression that a change of hours wouldn't require a completely new contract - Simply a variation of hours, as its not a new job.

We have asked for a copy of his existing contract - but as yet its not been forthcoming....

So should he sign this new contract? or should it be something more like a form/letter to sign agreeing to the change in hours?

Thanks:cool:

There doesn't need to be a new contract, no. But you need to be aware that it is not the same job, and the employer can, if they wish, vary the terms. You husband has a job. For his existing hours. If he wants to change those hours it isn't the same job. It may be that the employer is just being very careful. Or it may be that they are trying to slip something past him. Either way, he actually doesn't have an absolute right to change his hours, and the employer doesn't have to agree - which sometimes means that there are other changes as well, and if he doesn't agree the package then he first get the reduced hours either.

oneblondebrow

As above. You husband is changing his hours and therefore it is a different position (although doing the same thing), best to read the old contract and match it with the new one. If the only change is the hours stated then all fine. Then again they could change anything they liked as your husband is changing jobs.

laneycakes

Thanks all. That's what I thought. He's asked for a copy of his existing contract and to my mind we need to check it against the new one to make sure there's no other changes to terms. He's asked for a copy several times and keeps getting the brush off!

Takeaway_Addict

I disagree slightly, your OH is asking for a change in terms so ultimately it is a new contract. The employer is entitled to ask in return for some changes they might wish to change. Both parties can refuse to change the contract if they wish. However, the employer should be up front with this.

And ultimately it doesn't affect statutory rights regardless.

sangie595

Takeaway_Addict wrote: »

I disagree slightly, your OH is asking for a change in terms so ultimately it is a new contract. The employer is entitled to ask in return for some changes they might wish to change. Both parties can refuse to change the contract if they wish. However, the employer should be up front with this.

And ultimately it doesn't affect statutory rights regardless.

However, there is no law that says they must be up front about it. They are offering a new contract and the terms for the employment are in writing. That is as up front as they need to be in law.

superbigal36

Hopefully there are no dangerous areas involved like pensions relying on final salary. possible redundancy etc.
You could lose out big style.

laneycakes

superbigal36 wrote: »

Hopefully there are no dangerous areas involved like pensions relying on final salary. possible redundancy etc.
You could lose out big style.

That's exactly my concern. He's going to ask, again, for his current one so we can compare and contrast.