Changing contracted days

Kate...

I have an 8hr contract stating that my shifts are on a Saturday and Sunday. As I'm not needed regularly on those days the shifts that are being given to me are on a Tuesday and Thursday.

I work a fair bit of overtime but haven't been getting much lately. Due to this I'm  thinking of looking for more work somewhere else.

My questions are:

Should my employer be giving me shifts that are not the days my contract states? Is it unreasonable for me to ask for my contract to be changed to the shifts I am being given  regularly?

I feel that the saturday/Sunday contract makes it difficult for me to secure a second job. I also feel like I'm being treated like a zero hours worker. It also makes me confused about holiday requests.

elsien

Have you asked the question of your employer?
I’m not sure why the Saturday Sunday contract would make it difficult for you to get another job unless you are thinking that a second job would also want you to work weekends?

Kate...

Yer i work in retail so most jobs require Saturday and Sunday hours. I've not asked my employer about it but most staff seen to think that everyone has to either be able to work Saturday or Sunday. 

diystarter7

Kate... said:

Yer i work in retail so most jobs require Saturday and Sunday hours. I've not asked my employer about it but most staff seen to think that everyone has to either be able to work Saturday or Sunday. 

Hi OP

Yes, do ask but be prepared for a rejection. Even if they agree, it will be very short term IMHO as others will want the same in many cases

A few years ago a DiL of ours got a nice, flexible job at the local supermarket about 7/10 mins walk as a shelf filler - she was happy as money was tax free, no fares etc and told them she would not be able to do weekends other than as emergency, one offs if they really needed her and had a little one so no finishing after 6. Went ok for a few eeks then they wanted her to work weekends, then sundays and regular sundays she left.

If it does not pan out well for you, consider joining an agency re some type of work and at times work a longer week and others shorter.

Good luck

Bobbobbobingalong

In simple terms and working on the strict understanding that your contract specifically states Saturday and Sundays as your (paid) working days with no caveats, then as long as you are available to discharge your contractual obligations on the required days, whether there is work or not for you to do, then you must be paid for those days.

Beyond that if you are asked to work on any other day, you are under no compulsion to do so however, if you do, then should be remunerated as per your contract - in other words, if that attracts overtime rate then that is what you should receive. Regardless, working on any other day that is not specified as a normal working day must be paid unless you have agreed to swap one day for another.

Be under no illusion, you cannot be compelled to work on any day or at any time that falls outside your contractual terms. You can agree to do so but you cannot be made to.

General_Grant

Kate... said:

I have an 8hr contract stating that my shifts are on a Saturday and Sunday. As I'm not needed regularly on those days the shifts that are being given to me are on a Tuesday and Thursday.

I work a fair bit of overtime but haven't been getting much lately. Due to this I'm  thinking of looking for more work somewhere else.

My questions are:

Should my employer be giving me shifts that are not the days my contract states? Is it unreasonable for me to ask for my contract to be changed to the shifts I am being given  regularly?

I feel that the saturday/Sunday contract makes it difficult for me to secure a second job. I also feel like I'm being treated like a zero hours worker. It also makes me confused about holiday requests.

What is the exact wording regarding working hours, including anything regarding flexibility?

Even now are you still be allocated 8 hours a week?

What do your written particulars say about your holiday entitlement?

As you are not getting the weekend shifts, is this because it is easier for your employer to fill those slots?  Perhaps because they can use 17 or 18-y-o people who can't do weekday day hours.  If so, that would probably apply to other retailers too and you might find being able to offer Wednesdays and Fridays to other employers more likely to find you extra work.