MARTIN asked:

Ok, We all know that Christmas day is a bank holiday in the uk.
Senario:- I ususally get two days off a week, due to the pattern of work these can be any two days, my employer this year has me working 8 days on a row and saying that i can have christmas day and boxing day off as my standard two days?? is this legal? surely i should get my standard two days, christmas day and boxing day off?? the store where i work isn’t even open!!

judy w asked:

My daughters boyfriend has been given a contract (well it is actually entitled Statement of Terms & Conditions of Employment) that states that he is employed on a temporary basis to be reviewed monthly. His employment dates from last August and is subject to 3 months satisfactory probationary period – which he has obviously just completed.
My question is does he have any rights as an employee in the same way that full time employees do?
Just to add a few extra clauses stated – his weekly salary is stated, his hours of work are stated (2 shift patterns), he is required to work overtime on reasonable notice, holidays of 20 working days per year, statutory sick pay etc. But the clause that really makes me wonder is the termination of employment whereby it states that up to 2 years service 4 weeks notice is required either way. This to me looks like a page they have taken from a former Contract of Employment and applied to the temporary worker one they have chosen to go with now.
I am, as I am sure you can work out, more than a little confused. I am sure there is someone out there with sound knowledge of these things and would be really grateful for some advice before I let him sign this.
He is only 17 and so obviously we don’t want him to lose what is a well paid job for his age but still don’t want him to be having the wool pulled over his eyes because employers can basically do what they want in these hard times.

Please help if you have the legal knowledge. Thanks
OK now I am confused. My first answer from Fengirl (who does sound qualified to answer) tells me that temporary workers have the same rights but then others are saying no rights at all.
And I don’t understand for one minute what Doctor Watson is saying about different countries – yes we are in England so why do I have to consider that other countries have different employment laws?

Angela asked:

Hi – hope someone can help me on this one, and would very much appreciate any advice. My employer has suddenly changed my shift pattern of working. I had scheduled hospital appointments, holidays, theatre visits around my present shift pattern and this has thrown everything up in the air. Besides, I don’t want to change. I’m the only one affected and feel very much alone and don’t know what to do. Has anyone any ideas please? Thanks so much.
Thanks to everyone for your replies so far. To clarify a few points – I’m in the UK, no union where I work unfortunately. No I wasn’t told there would be any shift changes. I’ve been working with the same shift for around 3 years and the only reason for change is that there is a vacancy on the other shift and the shift leader wants an experienced worker rather than have the bother of training someone new. Therefore they want me to go. I’ve been singled out & expected to change all my plans & appointments. No one else is affected. I can’t just cancel holiday flights because they are non refundable. We were told always to make appointments to fit in with our shift pattern & now of course all mine are wrong & I’m expected to rearrange them. Hope this clears a few points & thanks so much for everyone’s help. It’s so much appreciated.