I can't work as many hours as new job wants.

Snugglebunnies

Hi,

I started a new job in a very small organisation only two weeks ago.
I took the job with the understanding that it would be part time with the week split between myself and another new employee they were seeking at the same time. No hours/ contract etc was ever officially agreed in the process. It was literally a call to come in on Monday and see how it goes which turned into several more days work.

Now it seems that they changed their minds on splitting the the job as they cant find an person with the correct experience and are putting pressure on me to work 5 days a week which is not possible due to transport/ childcare issues.

Because of all this I have of yet, no official hours/ days sorted and I'm worried because I can't sort things out with social welfare or apply for fis untill all this is worked out with my employer. Everything is up in the air now in every way.

What's the best way to handle this? I'm afraid to approach the boss in case they say they will take someone on who can full time instead of me altogether.

The organisation is a small charity so they don't seem to have set rules or processes on any of these things and I don't want to be going from week to week not knowing what's happening next.

Any help is appreciated!

Mycroft H

Hopefully you've a contract that states the hours per week to work

Snugglebunnies

Mycroft H wrote:

Hopefully you've a contract that states the hours per week to work

No, that's the problem, there's nothing official yet. It was just a trial day and then they asked me to keep coming in. I need to get stuff in writing but I don't know how to go about it. It's a very disorganised place though honestly that's the nature of the work I'm doing in general.

mickmac76

With no written contract you don't have any real say in your hours. Do you yourself know anyone who would be interested in job sharing with you. How long would it take you to train another person in the job.

Senna

If they can't find anyone with the correct experience, is that because there isn't people out there or is it that they can't find anyone who is willing to job share?

Snugglebunnies

Senna wrote:

If they can't find anyone with the correct experience, is that because there isn't people out there or is it that they can't find anyone who is willing to job share?

They can't find anyone with the correct experience I think. They trialled 11 people and I'm the only one they wanted to work with them. I know they're not actually still advertising the job at all.

Snugglebunnies

mickmac76 wrote:

With no written contract you don't have any real say in your hours. Do you yourself know anyone who would be interested in job sharing with you. How long would it take you to train another person in the job.

I wouldn't know anyone interested in sharing. Training wise, I'm fairly confident in the place already but that's because I've tons of experience in similar roles. Someone without that knowledge would take months before they would be able to make any real contribution to the place.

Professor Moriarty

If you are the only one they wanted to work with then you are in a powerful position. Ask yourself if you like working there. If yes, can you work say four days a week instead of 2.5? If so, and it suits you, approach them on that basis. If not, then it would seem that you have no option but to approach them and speak honestly about your difficulty. Remember, they need your skills as they found it difficult to recruit. Most employers will understand and play fair. If they don't and they threaten you with replacement, would you want to work for them anyway?

Snugglebunnies

Professor Moriarty wrote:

If you are the only one they wanted to work with then you are in a powerful position. Ask yourself if you like working there. If yes, can you work say four days a week instead of 2.5? If so, and it suits you, approach them on that basis. If not, then it would seem that you have no option but to approach them and speak honestly about your difficulty. Remember, they need your skills as they found it difficult to recruit. Most employers will understand and play fair. If they don't and they threaten you with replacement, would you want to work for them anyway?

I actually love it there and would work 5 days a week if it were feasible but unfortunately I have childcare restraints at the minute which are stopping me.

They are very nice people there, I know they are genuinely stuck for someone for the extra days but I did explain my constraints when they first contacted me. The situation is making it difficult to approach the boss about official hours but I really need to get my paperwork and financial situation in order asap.

Mrs OBumble

Is there any way they could help you solve the childcare issue?

But to be blunt, you need to man/woman up, and speak to the manager, politely but firmly. You told them the deal from the beginning, so they know full well what the story is.

If they couldn't find anyone else they wanted after interviewing 11, then they're unlikely to let you go - that would leave them with no one at all. You're right that they may take someone who wants to do full-time eventually, but they obviously don't have that person in mind now.

Pretty much any employer will take as much as they can - and the charity sector is the absolute worst at this. So you need to stand up for yourself, and be clear about what you bottom line is.


However: you should not be getting social welfare if you're not available for full time work. So tread carefully ....

Professor Moriarty

Snugglebunnies wrote: »

I actually love it there and would work 5 days a week if it were feasible but unfortunately I have childcare restraints at the minute which are stopping me.

They are very nice people there, I know they are genuinely stuck for someone for the extra days but I did explain my constraints when they first contacted me. The situation is making it difficult to approach the boss about official hours but I really need to get my paperwork and financial situation in order asap.

If they are nice people then you should have no problem approaching them. You're not asking for anything unfair or unreasonable and it does seem that maybe they are taking advantage a bit however nice they are. They'll probably continue with the status quo as it suits them so you'll have to assert yourself or suck it up, unfortunately,.

Snugglebunnies

Mrs OBumble wrote:

However: you should not be getting social welfare if you're not available for full time work. So tread carefully ....

I spoke to the social welfare office and I qualify for fis when I'm working. I want to get off the lone parents payment but I need things settled at work before I can sort all this out with them.

Arcade_Tryer

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

However: you should not be getting social welfare if you're not available for full time work. So tread carefully ....

Says who? Social welfare is not solely the dole.

GalwayGrrrrrl

Couid you not sort out some childcare? It seems a bit like you want to stay on some kind of benefits - why is that?

rawn

xfactorfan23 wrote:

Couid you not sort out some childcare? It seems a bit like you want to stay on some kind of benefits - why is that?

Where on earth did you get that idea? Childcare is extortionatly expensive, and if you're relying on family to mind the kids then obviously you can only work the hours that they're available. Clearly the OP is willing to work if she's here asking for advice in securing the job in the hours that she told them she could work!

Snugglebunnies

rawn wrote:

Where on earth did you get that idea? Childcare is extortionatly expensive, and if you're relying on family to mind the kids then obviously you can only work the hours that they're available. Clearly the OP is willing to work if she's here asking for advice in securing the job in the hours that she told them she could work!

Yes, that's exactly it. My mother is childminding for me at the moment. My wage wouldn't even cover paid childcare never mind anything else.