Weekend Working

Becciboo1981

Hi, newbie here! A quickie really. Hubby works for a large UK retailer. His contract is 20 hours a week over 7 days (currently working 50+ hours a week though) which he is happy to do no worries but really he needs to work every other weekend as he has his children from his previous relationship come to stay. This is only possible due to a Court Order for contact.

Hubby was doing a few hours on that Saturday morning (7-11) or whatever to help out when he could but now he's being rota'd on all day Saturday and all day Sunday so he isn't seeing them at all. I'm looking after them while he is at work. There is no flexibility with the girls' Mum, not that it would matter as he is rota'd on every weekend. He's absolutely happy to work the other 12 days in a fortnight if they wanted him to but he really needs every other weekend off. The Store in question hasn't replaced the two weekend workers that have gone on Maternity leave nor two employees that have left so they are short on staff but not sure it's fair to make the four remaining shop staff do (often more than) double their hours to compensate. He's happy to do the 50+ hours as the money has been really handy.
If he applies to do flexible working, they will turn it down as they don't have the staff to cover. He doesn't want to be awkward and another member of staff has been allowed to only work mornings. If he works many more full weekends the weekend he has his girls it's going to kick off with the Girls' Mum and I'd completely understand and he hates not spending time with them. He struggles only seeing them every other weekend. I reiterate this is a huge UK chain of shops not a small independent store. What are his options? Is he being unreasonable?

marliepanda

What are his contracted shifts?

Anything over that he can turn down?

Becciboo1981

He doesn't have contracted shifts, just contracted hours i.e. he has a 20 hour contract over 7 days. I'm not sure if he can turn shifts down? He's always just done what he's been rota'd on to do. He's meant to get his 4 week rota four weeks in advance but they get changed almost daily (even though they aren't supposed to) so he's never really sure what hours he'll be doing until he reads the rota daily.

kingfisherblue

Has he explained the problem to his manager, or asked if he can work every other weekend?

Becciboo1981

Yes he has, she says she'll make sure he is off and then rota's him on saying she 'forgot'. He wanted a more formal arrangement so she can't just 'forget'. It's just that she makes him feel like he's being really unreasonable.

paddedjohn

His contract States over 7 days so he is basically at the mercy of his manager.

Art_Deco

Has he been to HR? if hes not getting anywhere with the manager. Ask for flexible working , even with a 20 hour over 7 day contract working every weekend is a bit much.

[Deleted User]

What would happen if he tried to book leave? As a way to some of these weekends off, in short term even if for some breathing space.

Just done 3 weekends on the trot but it got to the point where I've started to refuse it as overtime and take the time of during the week when just as equally required so it's understood something needs done in the kindest way - if an employer can't get people/new starters to work weekends that's not totally your fella's problem and needs to put him in a better negotiating position.

Guest101

Join a union. or find a new job.


Also 50 hours a week, has he signed working time regulations?

getmore4less

Also make sure these hours are accruing holiday pay.

DCFC79

How long has he worked there for ?