Not what I agreed to

[Cynthelia]

So I started my new job in properties back in October and the work itself is easy, however it is not what I signed up for. At my interviews (I had to get through three stages) I was told I would be working Monday to Friday and one Saturday every other week but that hasn’t been the case. My first two weeks were like this, then it swiftly changed. I was working ten days in a row then getting two or three days off then back on the ten days. There was never any mention of this in my interviews and I definitely did not agree to working Sunday’s. Now I’m on seven days working, two days, off three days working, two days off then the cycle repeats. I am getting so sick so often and I heard I was being slated off for calling in sick. Now I go in sick all the time because I’m still in probation. I have severe asthma by the way so the continuous work and not being able to rest properly is wearing me down. Also there are points where I don’t get my correct amoubt of days off (should be eight to reflect getting weekends off but In decemeber I only had five days off and in January seven. This month is the normal eight. To add insult to injury I am doing 90% of the workload (It’s only me and my manager on the team). On days when I am off I come back to emails saying I will do the paperwork or referencing required for clients when it would have taken her 5 minutes max to do these tasks. Also I have found out she closes the office early or doesn’t open at all on weekends when I am off. When I say the work is easy I can do it in my sleep I mean it. It’s not the work but more so the environment that has me on edge all the time. I am always tired. Always. The passive aggressive behaviour is also driving me mad. Also my days off are switched around without telling me so at times I end up working hard eight or nine days in a row so my manger ends up getting more then than the eight days off. What can I do.

 

[g]

What can you do?

Probably, effectively very little.

Your Agreement will cover permissible/likely hours etcetera, and if you're working otherwise in accord with it your first action is to raise the issue with your manager.

From a practical viewpoint, he's likely to be aware of any inconsistency and hence unlikely to be willing to make changes.

If you then raise the issue with a higher level of management, that's also unlikely to be useful.

And, seeking redress through ACAS or similar is likely to sour relations.

'Leave' is perhaps the practical solution.

 

[Cynthelia]

If I leave would this look bad on my cv? I have only been with them for four months. My previous two jobs I stayed a long time. One for theee years and the other two. I just don’t want to look bad to future employers

 

[Toby Willows]

Paragraphs, use paragraphs so we can easily read your post.

 

[g]

If I leave would this look bad on my cv? I have only been with them for four months. My previous two jobs I stayed a long time. One for theee years and the other two. I just don’t want to look bad to future employers

Although it may look bad, overall it's unlikely to be terminal - and is something which can be explained.

Plus, it's sensible to consider your 'now' happiness alongside potential future employability.

 

[Cynthelia]

Thank you for answering. I’m not afraid of working hard but I really do feel like I’m being taken advantage of. I will now begin my job hunt

 

[g]

Thank you for answering. I’m not afraid of working hard but I really do feel like I’m being taken advantage of. I will now begin my job hunt

I hope it works out well for you.

(Of course, you could always hack the b*itch to pieces with an axe, and bury the bits in the garden... but, if you got found out, that'd not look good on your CV either.)

 

[soundengineeruk]

Simply put it, I'm afraid it is a case of "Put up or ship out".

I'm afraid there is probably very little you can do as you passed your probation or have your full employment right, however I'm not HR expert.

If you get asked in your next interview why you left the job after short period of time, just be honest with them, but don't put down the company. It has happened to me a few time where things seem right at the start, but then it did not work out. I just say something like "I gave it a try with the endeavour of making it work, just did not work out in the end"

Any good employer will see past this; especially if it is one off or not regular occurrence.

 

[Newchodge]

If the organisation consists of this manager and you, look for another job. If your manager has a manager, complain to them. While also looking for another job.

 

[Mr D]

I hope it works out well for you.

(Of course, you could always hack the b*itch to pieces with an axe, and bury the bits in the garden... but, if you got found out, that'd not look good on your CV either.)

A woodchipper can work but they are a devil to clean up afterwards.
For best results use illusion and misdirection.

 

[Cynthelia]

Haha thank you for the chuckles. Believe me it’s needed.

I’m going to have a sit down conversation, to see if my shift pattern can be changed to what I was promised. If not, I have prepared my cv and shortlisted a few jobs already.

Wish me luck. I need all the positivity I can get

 

[g]

(Of course, you could always hack the b*itch to pieces with an axe, and bury the bits in the garden... but, if you got found out, that'd not look good on your CV either.)

Of course, you could instead surprise-buy her coffee-and-cake... and go from there.

Most people aren't inherently [insert appropriately derogatory term of your choice]. And often, through lack of communication, relatively small problems become significant issues.

'Bridges and ladders' are always preferable to 'walls and barriers'.

So, due admonishment to, and shame upon, the idiot who posted the 'axe' remark.

 

[The Byre]

Your employer is breaking the law.

https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/working-time-limits-48-hour-week

 

[ElisaLee]

What does your contract of employment state regarding your working pattern? Even if this part was agreed verbally this can still form a contract of employment albeit that it is harder to prove. This sounds like a variation to your contract and, if there is a variation clause in your contract, your employers can implement however, they should have consulted with you and then given you reasonable time to consider this first.

By undertaking these hours it may be deemed that you have 'accepted' the change, even if you haven't signed or verbally agreed to anything.

I hope you don't experience anything like this in future, but if you have the misfortune to you need to raise it at your earliest opportunity in writing that you disagree with the revision to working hours.

 

[Cynthelia]

Thank you all for responding. I am now applying for jobs elsewhere.

I’ve had a look at my contract and it says I will be working flexible hours. The recruiting agent that found me for the job looked over everything for me so I thought everything was sound. I didn’t actually realise my contract said this as all my interviews covered Monday to Friday with every other Saturday.

Note to self: read your own contract

 

[Jessica A.]

You're already being exploited with your workload. One can't possibly go on doing what you do in the long run. Your body will take it's toll on you especially now that you have asthma even before you started working for your manager. No employee will stay long working for them if they're treating them like a robot who doesn't need rest. Tell your employer your situation. If they still doesn't give you the required rest days in a week, then it would be better if you leave rather than be sorry for your health.

 

[Cynthelia]

UPDATE: I left work without saying anything and changed my number. I needed to give three months notice but I know from past staff that left, their lives were made hell during the notice period. I think this was the best decision for me.