OT - Problem at work - hours

[Tez]

Hey

I work part time at a high street retailer while I'm at uni. I'm contracted to 12 hours, and this is generally what I work (sometimes doing overtime). Over xmas, they want me to work xmas eve, boxing day, new years eve, and new years day. None of these fall on my normal working days, and would be worked on top of my normal shifts.

My question is do I have to work these extra shifts? I've been told that I do, and its been hinted that I'd be looking for another job if I refused to work them. Can they do this? I dont mind working xmas eve or new years eve, but boxing day and new years day I really dont want to do, for obvious reasons.

I've been there for a couple of years now, so I'm not an xmas temp.

Thanks

 

[Rich]

Theyre not your contacted days. You may have already got plans for those days which im sure you do.

But i presume you signed a contact of employment, study it. See whether there is a clause regarding work over the festive season.

If there isnt, then you shouldnt HAVE to do it, however, im sure they would make life hell. Assuming thers no clause in your contract, they couldnt sack you for not working those days. You would win hands down at an employment tribunal not sure it would be worth the hassle though for a part time job... But there are other ways they could force you out...


Rich


1997 Fiat Bravo 1.6 SX
RUNNING WELL
Needs some cosmetic work;
� Need to respray front wing (Colour doesnt match);
� Renew some plastic parts inside the car;
� Could also do with a clean;
� Need a new aerial (Chav stole it);
� Need new bump strips;
� Want new wheels.

INTERESTED IN PURCHASING BOTH FRONT FIAT MAREA DOOR HANDLES.
PLEASE MESSAGE ME IF YOU HAVE SOME.

 

[Tez]

I've never signed a contract of employment. They offered me the job over the phone a couple of days after my interview, and I started work the week after.

 

[donny lad]

my view is you dont byte the hand that feeds you mate and to be honest i bet it would be nice to have the cash lol just try for a little extra think about the long run not short is 1 night off worth a job, i cant really comment passed that cos ive used simmaler tactics my self with laborours.

 

[mistresshgt]

if you let employers treat you as a dormat now you are setting the standard for the rest of your career!!!!! most employers think they can rule your life and have you at their beck and call for the sake of a few quid an hr. just how much is your self esteem and independence worth to you. for god sake man grow a spine AND QUIT YOUR JOB!!!!! or become self employed like i did. best thing in the world.

 

[charleyhgt]

Work to live, dont live to work......simple

 

[Carroll]

Of course it might make a difference to you if they're planning on paying you holiday/overtime rates on those days....

What about others in the company with the same/ similar job to yours? Are they being 'asked' to work these days as well?

You may be being picked-on and so 'expected' to work over Christmas period just for being younger than your peers and for not having kids/dependents, e.t.c. (If that is your situation)?

 

[Seb]

Compromise

 

[Ozric-Al]

You only have to work your contracted hours. If they say that you do have to work the extra shifts then ask where in your contract it says that you have to. There may be a clause that says that they can amend your hours given 4 weeks notice which MAY kind of tie you into doing at least some of the extra shifts.
The problem you will have is that however you go about this it could cause you problems later on. It does sound like someone is having trouble getting staff in and is trying to bully the PTs into extra shifts to cover their own backsides. They have asked early enough for you to change your shifts but only if it is in your contract. If they still insist you have to work the shifts call the bluff, say you're not doing it and get down to Citezens Advice with a copy of your contract. Another good way to call the bluff is to say you've already booked a holiday abroad and so they will have to compensate you for the hundreds of pounds that your ticket has cost (just don't get seen anywhere around when you're supposed to be away).
Either way, I'd start looking for other jobs as 1) they may be bullying you and that's never a good situation to be in; 2) They don't care about their staff full stop; 3) There's plenty of PT jobs in retail, especially over Xmas so get out of there.

"Doctor said to give up Keee-Babs. I said 'No, no-no'"

My Members Page

 

[Seb]

I've changed my mind, you nonly live once, make a big scene and quit your job!

 

[Matt]

lol, I did that once and was unemployed for 3 months

 

[Shaun Cook]

its retail...u have no choice really...but the good thing is...double time...if its not double time..u can report them. or........as seb said...just abit more dramatic...break down and cry.....

CLOSED FOR CONSTRUCTION!!!!

 

[Anonymous]

"make a big scene and quit your job"
Foolish move.

Just tell them, in a straightforward but polite way, that you are not going to do those days as they are not on your normal work pattern and as such, you have already made plans for those days.

 

[Seb]

Your a student, i'm sure you can survive a few weeks with no work, you havnt signed a contract so dont have a secure job and they are taking advantage of that, i know what i would do, and that's not stay there, my boss once told me he was going to cut my pay, i wrote on a piece of paper i quit, walked into his office, had a go and put it down, 10 minutes later called back in and he apologized and set things right again, you'd be suprised, play on the fact you are a good member of staff and it would be tough to lose you b4 the xmas rush

 

[Greg]

As per Seb really above, not having a signed contract will make it hard work, I also work for a major retailer (Sainsburys - Online Delivery Driver - race round in a van all day!!)as a uni student but have a contract which has my contracted hours on it. The only thing they ask during busy periods such as xmas is that if my contracted hours fall on a holiday such as xmas day when we are shut then I work my hours another day in the week. Besides that they have been really good to me over the five years I have worked for them and I enjoy my job tbh.

But on your issue might be worth going in and threatening to leave as most retailers do not like loosing staff before xmas...

 

[AlexW]

Tez,

check out this link for info on employment contracts. You should have received one within 2 months of your start date.

Click here

They are bullying you and I don't believe they have a leg to stand on.

 

[Jayfish]

as seb says before he changed his mind, compromise.

'I can do XXX but if I do I need xxx off'

as part of your interview did they mention additional shifts, although not contracted (and therefore enforceable) for part time roles they are generally expected.

You didn't mention the retailer but if it happens to be Game PM me as I managed for them for 4 years

 

[Kayla]

Hey Tez,

Dont quit your job over it. I can see your point of view but i can also see what your boss is saying cus ive got the same problem none of my girls wanna work those days. Your manager needs to open the shop and have it fully staffed so you can do a deal with him or her agree to work 2 of the days for double time and just say your sorry but you cant work the other 2 becuase you have already made plans. Aslong as everyone does their bit there shouldnt be a problem. They cant sack you for not working those days.