Contracted for weekends but there's a problem

sallywin

So I'm in a new retail type job a few weeks now and my contract is for weekends and evenings. This is the first time I've worked weekends in a work contract and I naively presumed, before I started, that I would be able to get (about) 2 weekends off before christmas hit- I didn't honestly expect that weekends meant literally every single weekend.

I have asked management for a weekend off, they said no, can't be done, try another weekend, which I did and I am still waiting to hear back if I can even get that weekend off. All days off/weekends are pre-booked and even by the time I had started all the weekends were gone -of course- right up to January so I had no chance to get in there at all. We are majorally understaffed which is a strategic choice by the company and never mind all the hard work which being understaffed every day entails, I find it hard to stomach this every weekend bull. Sorry, it just seems ridiculous.

Is this just how it has to be? I find it insane that anyone would be expected to work weekend in, weekend out, even on a weekends contract.. I've been flexible and worked daytime hours for them and not restricted mine to evenings even though I'm not contracted for day time hours. Should I expect some flexibility in return? Or it this just how it is in retail?

Stheno

sallywin wrote: »

Is this just how it has to be? I find it insane that anyone would be expected to work weekend in, weekend out, even on a weekends contract.. I've been flexible and worked daytime hours for them and not restricted mine to evenings even though I'm not contracted for day time hours. Should I expect some flexibility in return? Or it this just how it is in retail?

Pretty much.

You are in a job for a few weeks, at one of the busiest if not the busiest time of the year for that industry. Employers are entitled to ask you to take your holidays at a time that is most suited to the needs on the business.

You are entitled to your holidays, but when it suits your employers, so if it's January/Feb that you get to take them, they can ask you to do so.

It's a combination of the other staff having gotten their leave, you being new, and the time of year.

Same as it used be in building, they had three weeks at the end of July, and Christmas off.

Happens for full time staff too that employers can insist on holidays being taken at a certain time, e.g. mine insist we have to take time off as the company closes for the week between Christmas and New Year.

sallywin

I just naively presumed that nobody could be expected to work every single weekend over a period of 2 months, which is what is expected. The impression I am getting is that they are going out of their way to give me one and i'm getting fed up with this when it comes on top of all the extra work due to their intentionally skeleton staff set-up.

I'm not in retail for a career, and with my experience of it so far, I really respect management in fast pace retail environments. But I do feel that fair is fair and there is something fundamentally wrong with expecting somebody to do every weekend for 2 months running.

I had a dilemma with this company which I posted about over a week ago now and all that ended well thanks to the advice I got here but I am actually finding this more of a deal breaker than I expected. As in, the work is hard, very few staff on, a steep learning curve, and yet, they want me in every weekend. This to me is iffy.

Stheno

sallywin wrote: »

I just naively presumed that nobody could be expected to work every single weekend over a period of 2 months, which is what is expected. The impression I am getting is that they are going out of their way to give me one and i'm getting fed up with this when it comes on top of all the extra work due to their intentionally skeleton staff set-up.

I'm not in retail for a career, and with my experience of it so far, I really respect management in fast pace retail environments. But I do feel that fair is fair and there is something fundamentally wrong with expecting somebody to do every weekend for 2 months running.

I had a dilemma with this company which I posted about over a week ago now and all that ended well thanks to the advice I got here but I am actually finding this more of a deal breaker than I expected. As in, the work is hard, very few staff on, a steep learning curve, and yet, they want me in every weekend. This to me is iffy.

Eh in the world of full time work, most people work 48 weeks out of fifty two, 5 days a week.

They would regularly work 2-3 months without a week off.

It's perfectly normal.

I worked in retail years ago and coming up to Christmas, you booked any weekend/evening off months in advance.

I really don't see what you think is iffy or fundamentally unfair about this situation. You got a contract to work evenings and weekends, and due to the time of year/your being a new member of staff, you have been unable to book a weekend off, and your managers are trying to accommodate a second request from you.

I think they are being fair enough to be honest.

Out of curiosity is this your first job?

Frisbee

So in a retail job that you've only just started and in which your contract states your main working hours are evening and weekends you expected to get a whole weekend off at the busiest time of the year for the retail sector?

You also think that because the work is hard it's iffy?

It's only 6 weekends. I was in my part-time job in college and even after being there 4 years I was still expected to work every weekend from Mid-November onwards pretty much. Very few retails employers are going to allow staff time off in the run-up to Christmas tbh. The fact they even are looking into trying to let you take one off is unusual from my experience.

It really sounds like you need to adjust your attitude and expectations if you want to have a chance of keeping this job tbh.

sallywin

Stheno wrote: »

Eh in the world of full time work, most people work 48 weeks out of fifty two, 5 days a week.

They would regularly work 2-3 months without a week off.

It's perfectly normal.

I worked in retail years ago and coming up to Christmas, you booked any weekend/evening off months in advance.

In the world of full-time work, most people have weekends off, which is what my previous work experience entailed. I have no issue with not getting weeks off, I'm talking about weekends. Of course it's normal to work 48 weeks out of 52, that's not relevant to this.

And my previous work exp has been full-time, monday to Friday, with odd weekend overtime. not my first job at all at all.

Stheno

sallywin wrote: »

In the world of full-time work, most people have weekends off, which is what my previous work experience entailed. I have no issue with not getting weeks off, I'm talking about weekends. Of course it's normal to work 48 weeks out of 52, that's not relevant to this.

And my previous work exp has been full-time, monday to Friday, with odd weekend overtime. not my first job at all at all.

Not necessarily if you do shift work.

If you are only working evenings and weekends based on your contract, don't you have time off during the week? Or are you working seven days a week?

I'd one job where I worked Fri-Mon doing nightshifts, so my "weekend" was Tues - Thurs, as I did twelve hour shifts.

That job too had peak periods, including Christmas and leave was severely restricted, we even worked Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Stephens Day, and New Years.

Why did you take a job contracted for evenings and weekends if it didn't suit you?

seamus

sallywin wrote: »

In the world of full-time work, most people have weekends off, which is what my previous work experience entailed. I have no issue with not getting weeks off, I'm talking about weekends. Of course it's normal to work 48 weeks out of 52, that's not relevant to this.

And my previous work exp has been full-time, monday to Friday, with odd weekend overtime. not my first job at all at all.

You're still getting two days off per week, right? So it's not really any different to your previous jobs except that your "weekend" is no longer Saturday & Sunday.

sallywin

Frisbee wrote: »

So in a retail job that you've only just started and in which your contract states your main working hours are evening and weekends you expected to get a whole weekend off at the busiest time of the year for the retail sector?

You also think that because the work is hard it's iffy?

It's only 6 weekends. I was in my part-time job in college and even after being there 4 years I was still expected to work every weekend from Mid-November onwards pretty much. Very few retails employers are going to allow staff time off in the run-up to Christmas tbh. The fact they even are looking into trying to let you take one off is unusual from my experience.

It really sounds like you need to adjust your attitude and expectations if you want to have a chance of keeping this job tbh.

I have a great attitude in work. I throw myself into everything and do my best so that's a non-issue. No, there is something rotten about expecting a new employee, who has not had the chance to book a single weekend off, like others, to work all the weekends of november and december. we are humans too and not just workers. I can live with hard work, this is just a bit rich.

sallywin

seamus wrote: »

You're still getting two days off per week, right? So it's not really any different to your previous jobs except that your "weekend" is no longer Saturday & Sunday.

Weekends are not the same as being off on a tuesday and a thursday. Anyone who has actually worked weekends for two months running will tell you that.

seamus

sallywin wrote: »

Weekends are not the same as being off on a tuesday and a thursday. Anyone who has actually worked weekends for two months running will tell you that.

I have. I worked fairly solidly as student, at least one evening per week and usually Saturdays and Sundays. And I rarely, if ever bothered taking holidays, so I worked probably 46 out of 52 weekends for two years.

In many ways, days off midweek are preferable to weekends - everywhere is less busy, entry fees to attractions are cheaper, no issues getting taxis, cinemas are half empty, etc.

Stheno

sallywin wrote: »

Weekends are not the same as being off on a tuesday and a thursday. Anyone who has actually worked weekends for two months running will tell you that.

As someone who worked weekends as posted above for a lot longer than two months, yes it is different, and you need to adjust to that difference.

Is the problem here that your social life/routine is being affected by the hours you work?

I actually enjoyed working weekends in that four day pattern, as the shops were quieter during the week, and I generally got more done on my days off.

Also didn't have to worry about having to access services that were M-F 9-5

Socially, I usually saw friends during the week, as given I worked nightshifts, I was asleep during the day on the weekends.

sallywin

seamus wrote: »

I have. I worked fairly solidly as student, at least one evening per week and usually Saturdays and Sundays. And I rarely, if ever bothered taking holidays, so I worked probably 46 out of 52 weekends for two years.

In many ways, days off midweek are preferable to weekends - everywhere is less busy, entry fees to attractions are cheaper, no issues getting taxis, cinemas are half empty, etc.

'usually' isn't the same as 'always' or 'constantly'.

Stheno

sallywin wrote: »

'usually' isn't the same as 'always' or 'constantly'.

What do you mean here? That you are going to work weekends "constantly" for eight weeks until Christmas is over?

I really don't see what your issue is here, to me it sounds like you had unrealistic expectations going into this job about what it involved.

Procrastastudy

Sallywin this is partly (admitted) naivety on your part and partly down to the employer not explaining this to you. I always went out of my way this time of year to explain what was required to new hires. You would be mazed at the amount that had a similar attitude to you or didn't realise they would get around 36 hours off for Xmas if they were lucky. (Blame Donkey-bonnets like Dundrum and Debanhams for this - Ireland always used to have the right idea - Half day Xmas eve closed Xmas day and Steven's day. West brit idiots changed all that - but I digress into a bitter rant )

I'd jack it in if I were you - what you've described is 95% of retail.

Mrs OBumble

OP, what are you doing with your week-days at the moment?

I'm finding it really, really hard to have any sympathy for you, but maybe I'm missing something here.

neckedit

sallywin wrote: »

In the world of full-time work, most people have weekends off, which is what my previous work experience entailed. I have no issue with not getting weeks off, I'm talking about weekends. Of course it's normal to work 48 weeks out of 52, that's not relevant to this.

And my previous work exp has been full-time, monday to Friday, with odd weekend overtime. not my first job at all at all.

I really can't believe I am reading this.....
You applied for a job that stated Weekends and Evenings.....went through an interview process...and never once did it spring to mind to ask what the terms of employment and hours were?
Now you got the job you think the employer is being unfair? as they are expecting you to work weekends? Crazy!!
As for most people have weekends off? Eh not people who take a job that states Weekend Work, and also who work in the shops, cafes, Diners, pubs, restaurants and night clubs every weekend??

Bigtoe107

I have worked almost every weekend for the last three years and most Friday evenings to pay my way through college, if its in your contract that is what you have to work simple as. This is especially true in retail on the run up to Christmas.

Esoteric_

sallywin wrote: »

I have a great attitude in work. I throw myself into everything and do my best so that's a non-issue. No, there is something rotten about expecting a new employee, who has not had the chance to book a single weekend off, like others, to work all the weekends of november and december. we are humans too and not just workers. I can live with hard work, this is just a bit rich.

Um... You signed a contract agreeing to work weekends. What do you actually expect? It's a weekend contract, you'll work weekends. Each time I've worked in retail, I'd easily work every single weekend for 6 months or more, unless I booked a weekend off a month or two in advance.

It's not a 'bit rich,' it's what you're contracted for.

Frisbee

sallywin wrote: »

No, there is something rotten about expecting a new employee, who has not had the chance to book a single weekend off, like others, to work all the weekends of november and december.

There is nothing rotten with it at all.

sallywin wrote: »

we are humans too and not just workers. I can live with hard work, this is just a bit rich.

Which is why you'll have other days off during the week.

sallywin

Weekends are far better to have off. I don't want my social life to revolve around the cinema, I need a weekend to do stuff, i can't say what here as it's too much information to disclose on boards.

But, yeah, retail is not for me, certainly not as a floor worker.

• Proliferation of 4 hour shifts- costly re. travel to and from work and means no breaks
• Being available for all times of the day and not just evenings is not rewarded or appreciated which I have seen when I can't get one poxy weekend off
• Expected to work every single weekend for 2 months up to Christmas
• Company's Skeleton staff operational model- unfair when you still just get over the minimum wage

Na, I'll take another stop-gap job I reckon. A factory would be better.

tony81

Sally, this really isn't that out of the ordinary. I've also worked in places that didn't allow AL in the run up to xmas.

I'm sure there are dozens of people who can't work midweek (eg student) who be only too happy to work every weekend before xmas.

You applied for wknd work, now you're complaining you have to work at weekends? Bit daft.

Stheno

sallywin wrote: »

Na, I'll take another stop-gap job I reckon. A factory would be better.

Probably best in your case to do it, just make sure you understand the hours, holidays etc before you take another job up.

Will save you a lot of grief.

sallywin

Stheno wrote: »

Probably best in your case to do it, just make sure you understand the hours, holidays etc before you take another job up.

Not at all. To expect one weekend off, even in the context of the contract, in the space of 2 months up to Christmas, is completely reasonable.

Stheno

sallywin wrote: »

Not at all. To expect one weekend off, even in the context of the contract, in the space of 2 months up to Christmas, is completely reasonable.

As pretty much every poster on this thread has told you, with the type of contract you have, in the environment you are in, it's a pipe dream.

Esoteric_

sallywin wrote: »

Not at all. To expect one weekend off, even in the context of the contract, in the space of 2 months up to Christmas, is completely reasonable.

When you sign a weekend/evening contract, it's actually completely unreasonable to expect a weekend off at quite short notice, during the busiest retail period of the year.

Sounds like retail just isn't for you, to be honest.

Defiler Of The Coffin

sallywin wrote: »

Not at all. To expect one weekend off, even in the context of the contract, in the space of 2 months up to Christmas, is completely reasonable.

Not if your contract specifies otherwise! Why won't you listen to what people are telling you? This is completely normal for retail. The supermarket I used to work for didn't allow for any annual leave in December. Throughout the year weekends are always the busiest days for retailers, even more so in the lead up to xmas. That's just the way the sector is.

You are being unreasonable here, you agreed to work weekends, that was the basis for your employment. Suck it up and stop complaining!

sallywin

Stheno wrote: »

As pretty much every poster on this thread has told you, with the type of contract you have, in the environment you are in, it's a pipe dream.

Exactly and if others are happy with that set-up then that's for them to decide- it's exhortionism in my books, particularly when it comes on top of all the other conditions I mentioned. But there are lots of people who would love the job I have and maybe I can help them out and make it available

Esoteric_

sallywin wrote: »

Exactly and if others are happy with that set-up then that's for them to decide- it's exhortionism in my books, particularly when it comes on top of all the other conditions I mentioned. But there are lots of people who would love the job I have and maybe I can help them out and make it available

There's nothing 'exhortionist' () about it. It's a completely standard retail contract set up. I'm not being smart but you seem to just be letting absolutely everything wash over you just because we're not agreeing with you.

If you have that many issues with the job, quit, I and many other people would happily take it.

allym

It's extremely rare for any retail job to allow people to take annual leave over Christmas. It's the busiest period after all it's all hands on deck.

And I really don't understand how you applied for a job with a weekend contract if you didn't wanna work weekends? From the sounds of it this is a temporary contract. If you were there longer obviously you could apply to have the odd weekend off but not having one in 2 months is hardly unusual especially if existing staff have booked them off?
What do you expect them to do tell other people they can't have them so you can?

tony81

sallywin wrote: »

• Proliferation of 4 hour shifts- costly re. travel to and from work and means no breaks
• Being available for all times of the day and not just evenings is not rewarded or appreciated which I have seen when I can't get one poxy weekend off
• Expected to work every single weekend for 2 months up to Christmas

sallywin wrote:

it's exhortionism in my books, particularly when it comes on top of all the other conditions I mentioned.

4 hour shifts? Weekend work?

It sounds like you applied for, and got, a part-time job.

The fact you are available to work during the day just means you should have probably looked for a fulltime position..

Quit your whining, pet.

yoursaviour1989

You took a weekend contract with 8 weeks to go before Christmas. That means you have 16 days to work on weekends. Then you asked for 2 weekends off. That is quarter of the weekends before Christmas, no way would that happen in any retail job.
It isn't extortion to expect you to work the 16 days you were contracted for, you seem to have completely unreasonable expectations of what goes on in a work environment.

sallywin

LyndaMcL wrote: »

There's nothing 'exhortionist' () about it. It's a completely standard retail contract set up. I'm not being smart but you seem to just be letting absolutely everything wash over you just because we're not agreeing with you.

If you have that many issues with the job, quit, I and many other people would happily take it.

That was a TYPO, build a wall and get over it gal! I work hard. I'm exhausted.

Esoteric_

sallywin wrote: »

That was a TYPO, build a wall and get over it gal! I work hard. I'm exhausted.

Er, no need to be rude. I hadn't a clue what you meant, clearly. I wouldn't have quoted it as you wrote it if I realised you meant extortion. I haven't been rude in any of the advice I've given you, so I'd appreciate the same courtesy in return. I also work hard, too, as do most of us. :rolleyes:

RedXIV

Lets be fair here OP, 4 hour shifts are hardly going to destroy your weekend.

You either have the start of the day to get your stuff done or your evenings free to socialise, its win win.

But as pointed out, this is standard in retail.

Also, be warned, pretty much every place hiring now is looking for Xmas staff which is going to focus very heavily on weekend work. Don't be surprised if you can't find anywhere that won't let you take a weekend off between now and Xmas, you've picked the wrong time of year to start a weekend job if this is what you were expecting.

Irish_Elect_Eng

sallywin,

much good advice given here, if part time retail is not for you then it's probably best to move on.

I thought that you were trolling initially :-) but if the job does not suit your needs then taking it was a mistake.

djk1000

Rarely have I seen a thread with so many posters so overwhelmingly of the same view. Take the hint OP! I've worked in both retail and hospitality in the lead up to Christmas, weekends off are not going to happen and the employer is not being unreasonable.

okiss

You have taken a job offering evening and weekend hours in retail coming up to Christmas and you want to have 2 weekends off.
Do you know how lucky you are to get this work. I have applied to a few retail business for work coming up to Christmas but I did not get a job.
I knew if I was lucky to get a retail job I would be giving up my weekends and I was willing to work what ever hours I could get.
You knew the hours they wanted you to work before taking the job so some complaining about it and be glad of the extra money in your pocket you will have over Christmas.

sallywin

LyndaMcL wrote: »

Er, no need to be rude. I hadn't a clue what you meant, clearly. I wouldn't have quoted it as you wrote it if I realised you meant extortion. I haven't been rude in any of the advice I've given you, so I'd appreciate the same courtesy in return. I also work hard, too, as do most of us. :rolleyes:

That wasn't rudeness...Try not to be so sensitive. It will help you get on with others.

sallywin

djk1000 wrote: »

Rarely have I seen a thread with so many posters so overwhelmingly of the same view. Take the hint OP! I've worked in both retail and hospitality in the lead up to Christmas, weekends off are not going to happen and the employer is not being unreasonable.

I appreciate the feedback here and found it really helpful previously but it's not always wise to follow the crowd.

sallywin

okiss wrote: »

You have taken a job offering evening and weekend hours in retail coming up to Christmas and you want to have 2 weekends off.
Do you know how lucky you are to get this work. I have applied to a few retail business for work coming up to Christmas but I did not get a job.
I knew if I was lucky to get a retail job I would be giving up my weekends and I was willing to work what ever hours I could get.
You knew the hours they wanted you to work before taking the job so some complaining about it and be glad of the extra money in your pocket you will have over Christmas.

You are jumping to conclusions when you claim this is extra money in my pocket. Where did I say that this equated to extra money?

Part-time retail work is great if you live at home, are a parent, don't own a car, are a student, or if you can get it to be a second job. It doesn't and can't work out for everyone and sadly it's not for me. Have learned a lot about what's expected of lowly staff in fast paced retail (and I'm not talking about working in a forecourt / local newsagent, etc. etc.)

Anyway consider the thread done and dusted guys, but if anyone is feeling really strongly about it and wants to thank someone or reiterate the same point again and again, be my guest :L

djk1000

sallywin wrote: »

I appreciate the feedback here and found it really helpful previously but it's not always wise to follow the crowd.

So if there were lots of differing opinions in this thread, you'd pick out the ones you like and ignore the rest, but since EVERYONE disagrees with you, it's not wise to take the advice?

Mrs OBumble

Ok, the OP has had her advice, unwelcome though it is, and I cannot see this thread going anywhere good from here in. Closed.