Can an employer force you to work away from home if you've got childcare issues?

paul2foel

Worked this place for a few years. All travel has been local i.e. 30 mins away max. They know I've got a 12 year old.....

Company has taken on a new client 5 hrs away and trying to tell me I have to go there every few weeks (it'd be 1-2 night overnight stay).

I've explained it'd be impossible - their answer - tough not our problem.

Its in my contract the standard work anywhere in the UK thing but I remember discussing this at interview and its been accepted that you cover your local area.

Any idea legally?

Ayr_Rage

I would think that your contract of employment overrides any informal arrangement for "local" working unless you have that variation agreed in writing.

Put the boot on the other foot, if you were employing someone to cover the UK then that's what you would expect them to do.

Jackie1813

Yes, I believe they can . Hate to be harsh but they will not see your childcare as their problem.

Emmia

paul2foel said:

Worked this place for a few years. All travel has been local i.e. 30 mins away max. They know I've got a 12 year old.....

Company has taken on a new client 5 hrs away and trying to tell me I have to go there every few weeks (it'd be 1-2 night overnight stay).

I've explained it'd be impossible - their answer - tough not our problem.

Its in my contract the standard work anywhere in the UK thing but I remember discussing this at interview and its been accepted that you cover your local area.

Any idea legally?

Unfortunately, your child care requirements/needs aren't their problem. 

Marcon

paul2foel said:

Worked this place for a few years. All travel has been local i.e. 30 mins away max. They know I've got a 12 year old.....

Company has taken on a new client 5 hrs away and trying to tell me I have to go there every few weeks (it'd be 1-2 night overnight stay).

I've explained it'd be impossible - their answer - tough not our problem.

Its in my contract the standard work anywhere in the UK thing but I remember discussing this at interview and its been accepted that you cover your local area.

Any idea legally?

The employer can't force you to work away from home - but they could dismiss you for refusing if you have a contractual obligation to do so and refuse to meet this obligation.

flaneurs_lobster

I'm afraid you are bound by your contract. 

Ex-job of mine had a similar clause except it was EU-wide, and for periods of up to six months.

Made the demographic of their workforce somewhat skewed....

kimwp

Could your child sleep over at a friend's house on those nights and you take their kids other times to return the favour? 2 nights might be pushing it unless they are really good friends of the family.

TELLIT01

If it was only ever an informal agreement, and your contract was never updated to formalise the arrangement, I don't think there is anything you can do about it.

Undervalued

As others have suggested, the short answer is yes.

Savvy_Sue

What's their expenses policy? And can you flex that to help with the childcare you'll need? And might you be able to work with the new client to reduce the number of visits over time?

I can see it's less than ideal, but it may be something your 12 yo would enjoy ...

If it was every week then I can understand it might be impossible, but to me this just falls into the 'difficult' rather than impossible. 

Grumpy_chap

Is there a second parent that can provide some childcare?
Or Grandparents?