Sunday working and opt out

WibblyGirly

I have had this at a work place. It does not change, it just causes team tension as some are doing more than their fair share but the ones who are not do not care. It basically comes to either suck it up and accept it or find a new job.

Savvy_Sue

cherwell wrote: »

So what does that mean, we have more than one person on our department so why should I have do the majority of Sunday's all of a sudden, only fair that every one else take their turns.

Was going to say ...

Takeaway_Addict wrote: »

Have you actually asked why you are being rota'd more than your fair share?

However, phrase your question carefully: there is a big difference between "it's not fair I'em now being put on the rota for the majority of Sundays and no-one else is doing as many as I am" and "I wondered if I could check the Sunday rota: since (whenever) I have been asked to work X Sundays per month when I only used to have to do Y. I do not mind working my fair share but when there are N of us, I'd have though we'd all only have to do this number per month."

Is it possible that some of your colleagues have actually booked holiday for some recent Sundays because of non-work commitments?

cherwell

It's not about refusing to do Sunday's, it about a sudden increase in the amount of Sunday's I am forced to work. The opt out is only a serious consideration if no agreement with my employer can be reached. I have been with the company for half a decade or more and have worked in Retail 30 years or more.

I have asked directly my line manager why, the answer was no comment.

Thank you for your opinions, really I could do with contacts for advice or someone who knows the employment laws inside out.

BrassicWoman

https://www.usdaw.org.uk/CMSPages/GetFile.aspx?guid=bbf120f2-ab56-40ae-89f3-ec948bb55600

page 4
"It is important to remember that if you do opt-out, your employer is under no obligation to top up your hours during the rest of the week."

Seems clear cut to me that your employer is in the right.

GothicStirling

cherwell wrote: »

It's not about refusing to do Sunday's, it about a sudden increase in the amount of Sunday's I am forced to work. The opt out is only a serious consideration if no agreement with my employer can be reached. I have been with the company for half a decade or more and have worked in Retail 30 years or more.

I have asked directly my line manager why, the answer was no comment.

Thank you for your opinions, really I could do with contacts for advice or someone who knows the employment laws inside out.

No-one is 'forcing' you to work Sundays, you signed a contract saying you where available to work Sundays.

If you want legal advice, pay a solicitor, don't post on a public forum!

Savvy_Sue

Or speak to your union, and if you're not in, then join now.

What would happen if you requested leave for a month of Sundays?

eschaton

cherwell wrote: »

It's not about refusing to do Sunday's, it about a sudden increase in the amount of Sunday's I am forced to work. The opt out is only a serious consideration if no agreement with my employer can be reached. I have been with the company for half a decade or more and have worked in Retail 30 years or more.

I have asked directly my line manager why, the answer was no comment.

Thank you for your opinions, really I could do with contacts for advice or someone who knows the employment laws inside out.

With 30 years or more experience in retail would suggest that you should know the answer before posting. You should also know that Sunday's are one of the busiest days in retail now and that is why more people need to work on Sunday's.

Being with the company for half a decade or more is 5 years, not that long.

If you are happy to lose 20% of your income and create tension between your colleagues and yourself then fire in.

Newtothis92

I may be wrong but in my experience of working in retail my contract included something regarding "working to suit the needs of the business". While of course you could state a preference for hours/days off these would only be applied if it was possible and usually fair for everyone else.

When it came to weekends it was a STRUGGLE to get one off unless booked in advance until I progressed to supervisor/management level that only required one of us to be present of a weekend in which case we began alternating.

But as I remember when it came to weekends/Xmas, periods people didn't want to work as much, it basically came down to "working to suit the needs of the business. Check your contract."

However I am aware you have been there for a decade and I have not come across "opting out" before so what I have said may not be relevant. However I do agree a chat with your manager first would be the best way forward.

Newtothis92

*edit above to half a decade - I misread

Spendless

cherwell wrote: »

It's not about refusing to do Sunday's, it about a sudden increase in the amount of Sunday's I am forced to work. The opt out is only a serious consideration if no agreement with my employer can be reached. I have been with the company for half a decade or more and have worked in Retail 30 years or more.

I have asked directly my line manager why, the answer was no comment.

Thank you for your opinions, really I could do with contacts for advice or someone who knows the employment laws inside out.

As in they didn't answer your question or they said the words 'No comment'? Just one could be they hadn't realised or you'd put them on the spot and they wanted to think about it first before answering and the other they don't want to tell you why.

I had a similar issue with a small convenience store, we all had a Sunday shift but then worked any 2 evenings, only I kept being rota'd for Friday or Saturday night or both. Eventually I raised the subject with the manager nicely, who seemed surprised, got the rotas out and saw my point! The following week I got midweek shifts. The lady with the touring caravan who had been going away was most put out, but I told her I'd been doing the whole weekend shift for months.