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.
do you have a union at work if so go and see them as they Will be able to help you with this as they have to give notice for a shift pattern change and they must allow you time off for hospital appointments
They need to give you notice of any permanent change and your contract should be changed to reflect.
If the shift change is a one off then its not unreasonable (needs of the business) but if they have not given you sufficient notice then you need to see yor HR department and state that you feel its unreasonable due to prior commitments.
Unless you want to lose your job you will have to justify why you feel its unreasonable with evidence and ask why you were the only one affected. Be carefull though are you really unable to change your hospital appointments ? would you lose money if you changed your holiday ? theatre visits? you would need to show them you will be at a loss and see if they can work around your appointments. If you go in just saying you can’t change because you don’t want to there are plenty of people out of work that will.
Where are you? If in the US and maybe other places, the employer has the right to change your work schedule. If you have some personal things scheduled that would be hard to change, you could ask if they’ll work with you on those, but they don’t have to.
Not enough info…….are you unionized………do you have a contract………if not your employer can do anything he wants to as long as you let him……….start looking for a new job……
Yes they can do this as long you’re doing the same job and the same hours, when you took the job you must been told there are different shifts and you took the job, there is nothing much you can do but to try to explain to the management your reason why you prefer to stay on the same shift you’re doing now, again it is up to them to keep you in your shift or insist on the move.
Maybe you can find a work mate welling to take your place, if not I’m afraid you have to oblige with the change.