New Starter.....Immediate Change to Advertised Hours

[dragonarnissy]

Hi All,

Firstly, I'm sorry if this isn't the correct board on which to ask this question - I wasn't sure whether this board, or the new starters board was more appropriate.

I applied for, & was offered a part time 'Postman with Driving' position, & this week has been my first week.

However, although the advertised job, and my contract states my hours of work will be Weds-Sat, 8am-2pm, I was told by my manager today that my hours of work will instead be 7.20am-2pm on a 2-week pattern, Mon/Tues/Weds on the first week, Thurs/Fri/Sat on the second week.

My problem is that it's impossible to arrange childcare for my two under-5's with these new hours. The reason I applied for this particular position was that the hours fitted well with my childcare commitments, but that's gone out of the window now.

Obviously I'm going to talk to my Manager about it tomorrow, but I'm not sure where I stand at the moment.

Is there a way around this, or will I be looking for another new job already?

Thanks,

Simon.

[rehabron]

Hi All,

Firstly, I'm sorry if this isn't the correct board on which to ask this question - I wasn't sure whether this board, or the new starters board was more appropriate.

I applied for, & was offered a part time 'Postman with Driving' position, & this week has been my first week.

However, although the advertised job, and my contract states my hours of work will be Weds-Sat, 8am-2pm, I was told by my manager today that my hours of work will instead be 7.20am-2pm on a 2-week pattern, Mon/Tues/Weds on the first week, Thurs/Fri/Sat on the second week.

My problem is that it's impossible to arrange childcare for my two under-5's with these new hours. The reason I applied for this particular position was that the hours fitted well with my childcare commitments, but that's gone out of the window now.

Obviously I'm going to talk to my Manager about it tomorrow, but I'm not sure where I stand at the moment.

Is there a way around this, or will I be looking for another new job already?

Thanks,

Simon.

Might be a bit early to ask if you have received your Contract of Employment but if so does it show the total amount of contractual hours or show the exact shift times and operating days as per the advertisement.
If it is the latter then you do not have a problem but if only showing total amount of contractual hours then RM can alter your attendance times for operational needs but will still have to give you a notice period for the change.
As the new times interfere with your childcare arrangements you will need to inform your manager and try to get a colleague or union rep ( probably not a member yet) to be with you when you inform your manager of the circumstances.
You have a right to request flexible working conditions although there is no legal right for this to be granted by employer.

[dragonarnissy]

Hi All,

Firstly, I'm sorry if this isn't the correct board on which to ask this question - I wasn't sure whether this board, or the new starters board was more appropriate.

I applied for, & was offered a part time 'Postman with Driving' position, & this week has been my first week.

However, although the advertised job, and my contract states my hours of work will be Weds-Sat, 8am-2pm, I was told by my manager today that my hours of work will instead be 7.20am-2pm on a 2-week pattern, Mon/Tues/Weds on the first week, Thurs/Fri/Sat on the second week.

My problem is that it's impossible to arrange childcare for my two under-5's with these new hours. The reason I applied for this particular position was that the hours fitted well with my childcare commitments, but that's gone out of the window now.

Obviously I'm going to talk to my Manager about it tomorrow, but I'm not sure where I stand at the moment.

Is there a way around this, or will I be looking for another new job already?

Thanks,

Simon.

Might be a bit early to ask if you have received your Contract of Employment but if so does it show the total amount of contractual hours or show the exact shift times and operating days as per the advertisement.
If it is the latter then you do not have a problem but if only showing total amount of contractual hours then RM can alter your attendance times for operational needs but will still have to give you a notice period for the change.
As the new times interfere with your childcare arrangements you will need to inform your manager and try to get a colleague or union rep ( probably not a member yet) to be with you when you inform your manager of the circumstances.
You have a right to request flexible working conditions although there is no legal right for this to be granted by employer.

Thanks for your reply.

I've just checked, & unfortunately my contract only states a total amount of contractural hours. I was only told today of the change, which is to be put in to place next week (Monday).

I'm not a member of the union yet as I've only been employed for 4 days - I'll do as you suggested tomorrow though & see if I can get a colleague to come along with me.

I'm not holding out much hope though - as I've got a fixed term contract that states they can get rid of me with a weeks' notice, no reason necessary.

Thanks for your help though, it's very much appreciated.

[rubberbond]

From the evidence I have seen , they are so desperate to keep people, they will accommodate your request. That is not a slight on you,just a general observation about the way this business operates. Personally speaking ,I hope they do accommodate you, after all,if you left , they would have to,go,through the whole recruitment process again.

[Judgee]

Speak with your manager and explain the situation. Not all of them are tosspots, some are almost human!

Weds to Sat are generally the busiest days of the week so these being your personally required hours will go in your favour to a certain extent. They are far more likely to need you on these days than the other part of the shift on the first half of the week so all may not be lost yet!

[dragonarnissy]

Thanks very much for your replies - I spoke to my manager this morning & they've agreed to let me work Thurs / Fri / Sat every week instead of the proposed 2-week shift pattern.

I appreciate you all taking the time to reply yesterday though - you put my mind at rest as beforehand I was convinced I'd be out of a job by tonight!

[Judgee]

Glad it worked out for you!