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Unexpected shift change, unsure if I have any rights

  • 29-08-2017 08:11PM
    #1
    RitaPoon2003
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6 ✭


    Hello,

    I currently work in customer service and have been with my current employers for over a year. They are a 365 day a year company and are open from 8.00 am to 1.00 am. When I was being interview for the position I was told at the time by my manager that I would be required to work some weekends which was fine(was expecting this as I had a mate already working in the company who had given me the heads-up that it would be one weekend off and one on). One weekend on and one off is the way it has been for the last year however last week they change our shift to one weekend off in 5. How they work it is, you work 4 months of weekends and then you have a month of weekends off and then repeat.

    I found this new shift totally unacceptable and spoke to both my team lead and manager regarding it but they just fobbed me off with business speak. I checked my contract and it says "The company expects you to be flexible and due to the nature of this business it may be necessary for you to work additional hours and may require you to work at the weekend. This is at the discretion of your manager".

    Was wondering if anyone could tell me what my rights would be in this situation and if I took it to HR would I have a case? Thanks


Comments

  • #2
    The_Conductor
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 32,286 Mod ✭✭✭✭The_Conductor


    Your contract is phrased in such a manner that your new shift pattern would cover- on the basis of your contract you really wouldn't have any justifiable case you could make. One thing- is it only your shifts which have changed- or have the shifts of your colleagues changed in a similar manner? Aka- are you being picked on by your manager- or is it simply a new business arrangement they have agreed on at a higher level, and you're simply seeing the fruits of it at the ground level?

    Personally- its not something I'd sign up for (I did work this type work when I was a lot younger, on a contractual basis for a US multinational- and it was soul destroying).

    If it doesn't suit you- I suspect you don't have a valid reason to dispute it- what I'd do- is keep my eyes and ears open- there are plenty of employment opportunities out there now- its a very different picture than it was 18 or 24 months ago.


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