Where do i stand

[joeyuk]

So i started on Monday on a 20 hr contract. Had my induction and 1st shift Tuesday, started at 10am and was told at 1.30 that they will call when im needed. Not great but since i just started not much i can do.

Wednesday morning get a text at 9am say can i get in for 10am. I call back and say i can't as i've now made plans as i assumed with no call i was not in that day. Got a bit off grief but in the end he said come in for 4 hours on Thursday and Friday so i will meet my hours. Later get a call from some other manager asking if i can come in on Sat aswell, i say fine and will see them on Thursday.

So this morning at 7am get a text asking if i can do Friday/Saturday instead of the Thursday/Friday, again i say fine. Then 3 hours later get a call asking if i can come in today. I just got the voicemail as i left my phone at home when i went to the gym this morning.

So my question is when should i know when my shifts are. As i said my contact is just 20 hrs with no set start time so i accept getting various shifts each week but i feel i should know them in advance and not a call on the day saying i'm due in.

[Dozen]

Contracts that do not state particular days you are obliged to work are absurd. Your situation sounds completely ridiculous, and it is the fault of the hiring manager or whoever structured the contract for making the contract so anti-social and disruptive for the employee. I am in a position where I am contracted to work just 1 day a week, but the difference is at least it's the same day every week and the work is guaranteed. I can then inform of my availability for additional overtime days during each week, and arrange and confirm my schedule with management the week before. I find this works well for me.

Personally, I would insist on knowing whether i'm needed by 12pm the day before at the latest. Ideally you want to know your schedule for the following week by Friday/Saturday, but this isn't always possible. If the manager isn't sure by mid-day whether there'll be work for you in the morning, I ask them to call me by 8am in the morning to confirm. If I don't hear from them i'll send a text message regarding my situation, that way it is put in writing and they can't make up stories to use against me further down the line.

[clashcityrocker]

I've never heard of anyone being expected to work like this.
Try speaking to a union representative and find out if any such type of contract has been agreed.
What area are you in?

[joeyuk]

I'm hoping its just because its my 1st week, they said they didn't know i was starting. Will speak to them tomorrow and try to sort it out, will push for knowing what i'll be working at the start of the week and if they need me on days off i'll be more then happy to come in on short notice if i can.

I work deliverys in Essex