Tesco Flexi Contract Help

Catherine64

Hi there, if anyone could offer some advice i would really appreciate it as don't know what to do or where i stand within my rights here.
I recently became employed by tesco but was not told at the time that my contract was flexi, nor did i have explained to me what a flexi contract is. I was under the impression i had to work my contracted shifts : 1800-22.15 Wed and 1500-2000 Sun and then could choose to do any over time i wanted on top of that as realistically only wanted to work a couple of days a week as i have many other commitments outside of work. However after saying i couldn't do overtime due to a hospital appointment i was spoken to by a manager telling me that due to my contract i had to work the hours i was asked and had to cancel/ drop any outside plans due to work or otherwise face loosing my job. But 9/10 that i am asked to do overtime it is the day before and obviously i have already scheduled appointments and family commitments, as well as volunteering i'm involved in at these times, it's a lot of extra hours i am being asked to do as well not just one or two days, also i am 17 don't know if that makes a difference.
If anyone could offer advice i would really appreciate it thank you as don't know if i am aloud to decline overtime etc. as if not will probably have to find a new job as it is a lot of pressure and stress not being able to organise my time

getmore4less

Read the contract.

Should have done that before accepting the job.

Looks like you may have a job you did not want.

Savvy_Sue

If they've given you a copy of your contract or statement of terms and conditions of employment, read them and post up here what it says about your shifts and the expectations of what overtime you'll do if it's not clear to you.

And then, if you intend to do more retail work, join a trade union. Fees are based on what you earn, so it won't cost a lot, but you will have advice and support for future queries.

TELLIT01

getmore4less wrote: »

Read the contract.

Should have done that before accepting the job.

You can only do that if you receive the contract before you start. When I joined DWP I simply received a letter telling me my start date and salary. I didn't receive the contract until months later, in common with everybody else who joined at the same time as me.
Assuming the OP has now received a contract she does need to check it through. It's possible that the manager is simply trying to pressure her into doing extra hours when there is no contractual obligation. However, even if that is the case, I wonder whether continuing in the job is tenable. Turning round and telling the boss that there is no contractual requirement to do overtime will probably see the OP out the door anyway.
Irrespective of what is in the contract, the way the flexi-contract works should have been fully explained at the interview, especially to somebody new to the workplace.

Tessieka

when you applied to Tesco you will have filled in an availability form showing the hours you were willing to work. your manager can ask you to cover any of these hours. However they should try to give at least 7 days notice.

For the best advice please log on to verylittlehelps.com. If you cant find the advice you need in the forums you can become a member for £2 per year and ask a question. It is run by Tesco employees.

20aday

I joined Tesco back in May on a Flexicontract.

Your core hours (including overtime) can be up to 36.5 hours a week (Sunday to Saturday).

As pointed out above you should've been asked about your flexibility during the interview; and I'm always normally asked up to 24 hours before if I can do extra days.

It is stated in the contract if you consistently say you can't do overtime it could result in disciplinary action up to and including dismissal.

TELLIT01

Constant refusal to do overtime is one thing. Being expected to cancel a hospital appointment is another thing entirely, and totally unacceptable.

Catherine64

I wasn't given a contract, been there a month and still not signed or received anything that is why i had no idea contract was flexi as i haven't seen my contract nor had it explained to me

ohreally

http://www.verylittlehelps.com/index.php?board=7.0

Join a union!

20aday

Catherine64 wrote: »

I wasn't given a contract, been there a month and still not signed or received anything that is why i had no idea contract was flexi as i haven't seen my contract nor had it explained to me

Do you know who the People Manager is in your store at all? I'd suggest speaking to them in terms of the contract and that you need to know how the Flexicontract works.

By rights if you have frequent hospital appointments they should be working with you to help you achieve your contracted hours.

BobQ

TELLIT01 wrote: »

You can only do that if you receive the contract before you start. When I joined DWP I simply received a letter telling me my start date and salary. I didn't receive the contract until months later, in common with everybody else who joined at the same time as me.
.

When you say months, do you mean 2 months.

It is a legal requirement that you receive the contract within 2 months.