Employment Law: Contract Change
Discussion
Hoping someone can help me with this
Currently myself and 4 co workers work a varying shift pattern (7am-4pm, 2x 8am-5pm and 9am-6pm) doing IT support, with the bloke who works 7-4 also providing 24hr systems cover for the week he's on the shift.
The firm has purchased a new system and whilst it has been live for a while they now wish to feed our trading system from it. Which is fine, or rather it was until my boss mentioned a conversation he'd had with the top boss which went thus:
As soon as we start feeding the trading system from the new system you will be required to start checking it from 5am (2 hrs earlier than normal), we don't know when this will start, but as soon as it does your start times will change.
The top boss is a man of few words......
Now I'm more than happy to pull my (not inconsiderable) weight, but feel that this is a bit much. My contract states that my "normal" hours are 8-6 with extra hours being worked in line with requirements. It has been "suggested" that we will start at 5 (so get up at 4:45 to actually put brain in gear) check this new system until 8 and then get ready and come to the office, and then finish at 2. There isn't going to be any change of pay (to allow for the "unsociable" hours or a shift allowance - we're all salaried btw)
Don't get me wrong, I work with a good team and I know everyone in the firm (about 300 of us), I am paid a bonus which equates to around 5.5 months salary which is for being on call (on the 7-4 shift) performance and working weekends for system updates and Disaster Recovery testing, but given the current market who knows what I'll get next June. I do enjoy working for the firm honest
I know some here will tell me to ask HR, but quite frankly I'd rather have a conversation with Von about the pro's and cons of speed cameras.
When I worked at Sainsbury’s (and I'm going back 12 years) there was a bit of a ruckus caused by a change in contract, and the Union chap advised everyone that you had to be given 12 weeks notice before either accepting your new Terms & Conditions or saying
. Is this still the case?
Can anyone offer any useful insight into my query please? I don't want to screw the company, I just want the boss to play fair with the blokes who will actually be hauling their backsides out of bed at un godly hour with little regard to contracts.
Point to note is that most of us get up at 5 to get to the office (City of London) for 7, but I don't feel that this should change things re contracts
Cheers
Mike and "team"
Currently myself and 4 co workers work a varying shift pattern (7am-4pm, 2x 8am-5pm and 9am-6pm) doing IT support, with the bloke who works 7-4 also providing 24hr systems cover for the week he's on the shift.
The firm has purchased a new system and whilst it has been live for a while they now wish to feed our trading system from it. Which is fine, or rather it was until my boss mentioned a conversation he'd had with the top boss which went thus:
As soon as we start feeding the trading system from the new system you will be required to start checking it from 5am (2 hrs earlier than normal), we don't know when this will start, but as soon as it does your start times will change.
The top boss is a man of few words......
Now I'm more than happy to pull my (not inconsiderable) weight, but feel that this is a bit much. My contract states that my "normal" hours are 8-6 with extra hours being worked in line with requirements. It has been "suggested" that we will start at 5 (so get up at 4:45 to actually put brain in gear) check this new system until 8 and then get ready and come to the office, and then finish at 2. There isn't going to be any change of pay (to allow for the "unsociable" hours or a shift allowance - we're all salaried btw)
Don't get me wrong, I work with a good team and I know everyone in the firm (about 300 of us), I am paid a bonus which equates to around 5.5 months salary which is for being on call (on the 7-4 shift) performance and working weekends for system updates and Disaster Recovery testing, but given the current market who knows what I'll get next June. I do enjoy working for the firm honest
I know some here will tell me to ask HR, but quite frankly I'd rather have a conversation with Von about the pro's and cons of speed cameras.
When I worked at Sainsbury’s (and I'm going back 12 years) there was a bit of a ruckus caused by a change in contract, and the Union chap advised everyone that you had to be given 12 weeks notice before either accepting your new Terms & Conditions or saying
. Is this still the case?Can anyone offer any useful insight into my query please? I don't want to screw the company, I just want the boss to play fair with the blokes who will actually be hauling their backsides out of bed at un godly hour with little regard to contracts.
Point to note is that most of us get up at 5 to get to the office (City of London) for 7, but I don't feel that this should change things re contracts
Cheers
Mike and "team"
Edited by michaeljclark on Thursday 25th September 20:01
Edited by michaeljclark on Thursday 25th September 20:02
The problem you have is that you have a term inserted into your contract allowing the Company to vary your hours as necessary.
You are supposed to be consulted and given a reasonable period of notice before any change to your contract become effective. Bear in mind that consulted does not always mean negotiation in the eyes of some senior management! If you refuse to work to the new contract hours, you can be dismissed. If you work the new contract hours but are unhappy doing so, make sure you put this in writing.
I would say your first step is to talk to your manager about the change in hours. Explain the reason you are unhappy, if possible call a team meeting so that you can all express your opinion. It is your managers duty to then speak to the senior person on the teams behalf and try to work out a compromise.
Are you in a union? If so get them involved. If not, you really need to get talking to your manager and or personnel department.
You are supposed to be consulted and given a reasonable period of notice before any change to your contract become effective. Bear in mind that consulted does not always mean negotiation in the eyes of some senior management! If you refuse to work to the new contract hours, you can be dismissed. If you work the new contract hours but are unhappy doing so, make sure you put this in writing.
I would say your first step is to talk to your manager about the change in hours. Explain the reason you are unhappy, if possible call a team meeting so that you can all express your opinion. It is your managers duty to then speak to the senior person on the teams behalf and try to work out a compromise.
Are you in a union? If so get them involved. If not, you really need to get talking to your manager and or personnel department.
Edited by Firefoot on Friday 26th September 16:32
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