Employer wants to change contract

dlpugh

Hi All. thanks for any help.
My employer (the local council) is currently in the process of changing our contracts, and I wonder if people could help on a few aspects?
1. They want to make it compulsory to work weekends and bank holidays when required. I run my own business at weekends and really don't want to do this, and bank holidays are some of the few times we get to spend together as a family. I have worked there for 30 + years without this being necessary but do I have a leg to stand on?
2. They want to add in several extra duties - one of which, for example, takes the person who is currently doing it a whole day a week to do. I can't keep up with all the duties I already have without more being contracted. They have also included the wording "undertake other duties that are considered within the scope of the post". I am stressed with my work load already, how do I fight being giving more?
3. They are adding handling cash, and being as first aider, as new requirements. Would neither of these require a new job evaluation for my pay scale?
4. Most worryingly, while they have given me the opportunity to reply in writing to any issues I have, they are being very vague about where this will go, and it looks like it will just go back to my bosses who have drafted this contract in the first place. Surely there needs to be some impartial or independent evaluation?
Thanks for any help people can offer!

JamoLew

Sounds like a job for the Union rep

Generally though, contracts can be changed as long as specific processes and timescales are followed

KatrinaWaves

First aiding doesnt change peoples pay where I work (also local govt) cash handling MAY if it sets you apart from another grade but, depending on how high you are currently it depends what difference it would make.

As said above, contracts can be changed, employers are not expected to keep things the same forever, needs change.

Penguin_

KatrinaWaves said:

First aiding doesnt change peoples pay where I work (also local govt) cash handling MAY if it sets you apart from another grade but, depending on how high you are currently it depends what difference it would make.

As said above, contracts can be changed, employers are not expected to keep things the same forever, needs change.

When I worked for my LA, I got an extra £30 a month for being a first aider.

KatrinaWaves

Penguin_ said:

KatrinaWaves said:

First aiding doesnt change peoples pay where I work (also local govt) cash handling MAY if it sets you apart from another grade but, depending on how high you are currently it depends what difference it would make.

As said above, contracts can be changed, employers are not expected to keep things the same forever, needs change.

When I worked for my LA, I got an extra £30 a month for being a first aider.

Ahh you must have missed the bit where I put 'where I work'...

Please do not quote people and bold their statements in a misleading way.

JamoLew

Also in our place - being a First Aider attracts NO additional benefits

General_Grant

If we are into anecdotes - I've worked in various types of organisations and only one (a statutory body) paid anything in recognition of the extra responsibility but did pay for training/regular refreshers and the time off required to attend.

However, given that there's supposed to be a pay freeze in the public sector, extra responsibilities could be used to increase pay in the coming year.  Are the TU pushing this point?

getmore4less

dlpugh said:

Hi All. thanks for any help.
My employer (the local council) is currently in the process of changing our contracts, and I wonder if people could help on a few aspects?
1. They want to make it compulsory to work weekends and bank holidays when required. I run my own business at weekends and really don't want to do this, and bank holidays are some of the few times we get to spend together as a family. I have worked there for 30 + years without this being necessary but do I have a leg to stand on?
2. They want to add in several extra duties - one of which, for example, takes the person who is currently doing it a whole day a week to do. I can't keep up with all the duties I already have without more being contracted. They have also included the wording "undertake other duties that are considered within the scope of the post". I am stressed with my work load already, how do I fight being giving more?
3. They are adding handling cash, and being as first aider, as new requirements. Would neither of these require a new job evaluation for my pay scale?
4. Most worryingly, while they have given me the opportunity to reply in writing to any issues I have, they are being very vague about where this will go, and it looks like it will just go back to my bosses who have drafted this contract in the first place. Surely there needs to be some impartial or independent evaluation?
Thanks for any help people can offer!

That is a seperate issue as you need to be managing your workload better if it s causing you health issues(stress)

You need to sort out that problem,  if there is too much to do then something has to not get done in the hours you have to do the job.

If you don't have the power to prioritise the workload then you need to get your line management to decide what does not get done if you are running out of time.

Don't get fobbed of with the it's all important do it all  that is them making their problem your problem.

As you are in a consultation process on some changes you need to be pointing out these issues and the practicalities of weekend/BH working.

If you get extra tasks what gets taken off if you are already maxed out.

if weekend are to be worked how will the alternative days off be done, will they be fixed or variable  or using  TOIL/annualised hours scheme..

What will the extra pay be etc.

Get the union on this.

Most are pretty standard flexible working requirements for any job, do the days that the job needs and be able to do most things for cover when people are on holiday/sick.