Miffed about shifts
Question
My shift pattern has just been changed, which is really inconvenient. How much notice should my employer provide for me to agree to this?
Answer
There is no set amount of notice that an employer has to give in order to vary a shift pattern, but it should be a reasonable length of time. Generally, this should be about 28 days.
If you don't have a variation clause in your contract your employer technically cannot alter your hours of work without your consent. But it is important to remember that if you do not accept the changes then they could sack you. If this was the situation, and you were sacked, it is possible that you could make an application for unfair dismissal to an Employment Tribunal. However, this would only be a possibility if you have worked for the company for more than a year.
For more help and information about your specific situation, contact your local Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB). If you do visit a CAB it would be worth taking your contract of employment with you to see if there is a variation clause that the company can use to change your hours of work. If you belong to a union you may want to contact them about a way forward, especially if the situation becomes difficult for you.
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Question answered by CAB
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