Changing Working Hours

[davek17]

Hi There

My employees have an employment contract that's pretty standard and says something like:

1. Working 37.5 hours per week
2. Between hours of 9am - 5pm
3. Hours may vary depending on work required.

About the hours per week worked.

We work a 9-5pm with 30 minute lunch day. However I would like to change this to 1 hour lunch and 5.30 end to their day, 30 minutes is not working and is being totally abused.

Is this something that requires me to change employment contracts or can I just change the policy and notify people of the changes?

Regards

Dave

 

[Newchodge]

You would probably need to consult with them and get their agreement.

Would it not be better to deal with the 30 minute abuse. If you don't, how do you know the 1 hour won't equally be abused?

 

[davek17]

Well I would get the agreement from most people but I don't want to force contract changes on anyone if possible. I want to do it ethically and legally right though. For them and for me.

The reason the 60 minutes will work but the 30 doesn't is that the main shops etc are about 15 mins away by foot (Plus shopping/queing time) = 40 miniutes. This is the excuse that is being used by some.

We have sat down and asked people about it. Most want a 60 minute lunch, 1 doesn't and is playing hard ball. Irony is that I could just give him notice if I wanted to for lateness but I want to try and be as reasonable as I can over this.

 

[Newchodge]

Have you considered introducing a form of flexitime - they can take between 30 minutes and 60 minutes for lunch, but must work the full 37.5 hours per week, with the organisation being open between 9.00 and 5.30. or would that be too awkward to police?

 

[Lentinus]

Do not do this unless you want to buy a clocking in/out machine. It will almost certainly be abused.
Source: Experience!