Days off change every week - can they do that?

[peshwaarinaan]

When I started 18 months ago I was employed on a 20 hour contract, Wednesday to Saturday.

In the last few months I have been put on 3 x 6 hour 40 min shifts. The problem is that they change my days every week and I don't know what I'm working the following week until Friday afternoon or sometimes, Saturday morning.

This makes planning anything outside of work very difficult as I don't know what I'm working from one week to the next. Effectively I work 3 days a week but I've got to be available 6 days a week. Other staff on a 3 day week are kept on the same 3 days but me and others are changed every week.

Can RM do this? Would I be within my rights to give them dates I'm not available in advance and expect them to accommodate me???

Thanks in advance.

[Nigel1505]

Don't worry someone who "really" knows, like TBT, will answer this in a while. My view for what its worth is that they should give you at least 48 hours notice, but then what do I know.

[peshwaarinaan]

Don't worry someone who "really" knows, like TBT, will answer this in a while. My view for what its worth is that they should give you at least 48 hours notice, but then what do I know.

Thanks Nigel1505, yes TBT will know. 48 hours' notice is eff all when you are trying to organise your life outside of RM!

[Nigel1505]

Life outside RM, hush your mouth.

[thumbcat]

It's the same in my office. I work four days a week but don't know which days they'll be until Friday afternoon. It does make planning anything very difficult.

[peshwaarinaan]

It's the same in my office. I work four days a week but don't know which days they'll be until Friday afternoon. It does make planning anything very difficult.

That's not good thumbcat. It was much easier when I worked Wednesday to Saturday.

[rubberbond]

It's the same in my office. I work four days a week but don't know which days they'll be until Friday afternoon. It does make planning anything very difficult.

The duties are supposed to be shown up to six weeks in advance. That's why the office rep and the DOM,have their MANDATORY, weekly resource meetings,oh hang on a minute...........

[peshwaarinaan]

It's the same in my office. I work four days a week but don't know which days they'll be until Friday afternoon. It does make planning anything very difficult.

The duties are supposed to be shown up to six weeks in advance. That's why the office rep and the DOM,have their MANDATORY, weekly resource meetings,oh hang on a minute...........

Really? 6 weeks sounds reasonable TBH.

[ddtc]

6 weeks? Don't joke. Our rota us up every Saturday for the following week!

[telithowitis]

It's incompetent management, by line managers who are too busy prepping frames and delivering mail to meet bonus targets.
Then they wonder why so many new people leave and they are short staffed. I was told that retention rates are less than 1 in 6 starters stays 3 months or more, not sure if it's true but they certainly come and go. Why RM thinks it's okay to treat new staff in this manner in the 21st century I dont know.
New staff arrive and instead of being put on a training round are given the hardest round in office when they should be learning the basics for 6 weeks before getting the though round. Then get hassled into going back out for hours delivering mail others have left behind.
Zero training on PDA,s and importantly how to problem solve them when they go wrong.
In our office some of the new guys drive to work and then get sent home without pay "not needed as no ones gone sick"
Once your there a while it's okay but it appears managers try to test how far they can push and use new staff rather than take time and support them to make them efficient posties.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Don't worry someone who "really" knows, like TBT, will answer this in a while. My view for what its worth is that they should give you at least 48 hours notice, but then what do I know.

Thanks Nigel1505, yes TBT will know. 48 hours' notice is eff all when you are trying to organise your life outside of RM!

It all depends on your contract and what they hired you for.

If it says 3 days over 6 then yes they can. If it is specific about days, then they can't change them without your agreement, or without a new contract.

As to changing your hours when they can, they have to give you reasonable notice. If you don't think its reasonable and you have already arranged something then its tough on them, although to be fair you'll probably have a fight over it so always chat with a decent rep first.

[peshwaarinaan]

Don't worry someone who "really" knows, like TBT, will answer this in a while. My view for what its worth is that they should give you at least 48 hours notice, but then what do I know.

Thanks Nigel1505, yes TBT will know. 48 hours' notice is eff all when you are trying to organise your life outside of RM!

It all depends on your contract and what they hired you for.

If it says 3 days over 6 then yes they can. If it is specific about days, then they can't change them without your agreement, or without a new contract.

As to changing your hours when they can, they have to give you reasonable notice. If you don't think its reasonable and you have already arranged something then its tough on them, although to be fair you'll probably have a fight over it so always chat with a decent rep first.

Thanks for your reply TBT. Unfortunately my contract is for "20 hours per week". It says "Your hours of work will be allocated to you by your manager. However, these hours may change from time after giving you reasonable notice."

I will mention it to my Rep though. I object to having to be available 6 days a week when I'm paid to work 3!

[97gaz]

[