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Advice on shortened working week

  • 20-12-2010 9:08am
    #1
    Daragh86
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 173 ✭✭


    Hi, first time posting in this forum so go easy!

    I have been working in an engineering consultancy for almost 4 years and have been informed that in the new year my hours will be cut to three days a week.

    I have a lot of different ideas and problems in my head and thought maybe you good folk could answer a few or help me out a bit.

    Firstly the three days a week can't be guarenteed - could be one or could be four, don't know what is going to happen from week to week. So in this case if I work 2 days a week I claim social welfare for the other 3? That's fine but I have a family and a mortgage to pay and not having a guarenteed sum every week is a bit of a problem for me.

    My thought on that was to try to get the company to agree (in writing of course) to guarentee a three day week (no matter how much work or not there is), and if the situation changes that there is no work then redundancy. Anyone any thoughts on this one? (there's more...)

    Another thought was that if a 3 day week can't be guarenteed by the company I would ask them to make me redundant (get the relitively small payout) and to take me back on contract and I would work 1 day/4 days or whatever was there on a contract basis. Is this possible?

    Next option was to make me redundant altogether - I have a hellish commute of a 90 mile round trip through Dublin city centre every day. If they want to put me on a short week and I don't want the short week do they have to give me redundancy then? And if they do have to give me redundancy do they have to pay me for the notice period also since I in a way requested redundancy?

    Thanks for any help in advance!


Comments

  • #2
    Nody
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators, Entertainment Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 18,375 CMod ✭✭✭✭Nody


    Daragh86 wrote: »
    Hi, first time posting in this forum so go easy!

    I have been working in an engineering consultancy for almost 4 years and have been informed that in the new year my hours will be cut to three days a week.

    I have a lot of different ideas and problems in my head and thought maybe you good folk could answer a few or help me out a bit.

    Firstly the three days a week can't be guarenteed - could be one or could be four, don't know what is going to happen from week to week. So in this case if I work 2 days a week I claim social welfare for the other 3? That's fine but I have a family and a mortgage to pay and not having a guarenteed sum every week is a bit of a problem for me.
    You can claim 3 days if you work 3 days or less (it is counted on a 6 day week of Monday to Saturday). Your work needs to sign the forms for it if memory serves confirming that you work only 3 days or less.
    My thought on that was to try to get the company to agree (in writing of course) to guarentee a three day week (no matter how much work or not there is), and if the situation changes that there is no work then redundancy. Anyone any thoughts on this one? (there's more...)
    Make sure you put in writing that you wish to return to full time as soon as possible (this will affect your redundancy if you don't if it goes on long enough).
    Another thought was that if a 3 day week can't be guarenteed by the company I would ask them to make me redundant (get the relitively small payout) and to take me back on contract and I would work 1 day/4 days or whatever was there on a contract basis. Is this possible?
    Yes but how would this solve your situation with uncertain payments? This would also most likely impact your JS etc. (could be wrong though).
    Next option was to make me redundant altogether - I have a hellish commute of a 90 mile round trip through Dublin city centre every day. If they want to put me on a short week and I don't want the short week do they have to give me redundancy then? And if they do have to give me redundancy do they have to pay me for the notice period also since I in a way requested redundancy?
    Yes on both accounts; they can't change your working hours with out your permission. If you refuse to give it then they have the redundancy or give you full hours (ensure you go in every day even if they claim you should work shorter; if not it will be taken as you agree to the new terms even if you don't sign the paper).

    Best bet though is simply to have a talk with your boss and see what they say. If it is lets say 3 days a week for a quarter and then back to full time or if it is unknown if you'll ever return to full time. You can also then express your wish to be made redundant (in the second case) as you will not accept any changes to your contract.


  • #3
    Daragh86
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 173 ✭✭Daragh86


    Thanks very much for the reply. I'm sure it will be solved easily and not come to redundancy but I just want to have every angle covered (the company is known for pulling a fast one). The boss is pretty decent though so I'm sure he'll fight my corner for me as well.

    Anyways thanks for the help!


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