Sudden change of work hours

[steve23]

Hi all,

My 'friend' has an issue as follows;

They work on a flexible hours basis whereby they work 4 hours a day as they wish. Management recently decided this needed to be formalised somewhat so it was agreed in writing that they could work 4 hours anytime between 08.00 and 18.00.

Friend made some changes to routine at home and started working 08.00 to 12.00.

a short time since bringing in these changes, management have now decided the work must be done between 10.00 and 18.00.

No notification has been given other than being told by her manager that she has to start at 10.00 at the earliest from tomorrow.

Reason given for the change was questionable in terms of how necessary and certainly no reason for it it to be with immediate effect.

Is this correct and does my friend have any recourse or options at all ?

Thanks

 

[Paul Norman]

This is one of those things that I find hard to comment on conclusively.

Technically, this seems a bit off the cuff, and perhaps more notice could have been given. But without seeing the full business case it is hard to know. As a boss, who from time to time has needed to change the working hours of my teams, this is tricky.

Of course, you should give as much notice as possible, and you should try to be flexible. But equally, sometimes in business stuff happens quickly.

On the face of it, the notice period is too short. Your 'friend' might have a case to complain. I am not sure what the remedy would be - other than than causing some tension in the work place.

As ever, the best thing is to engage in conversation with the boss on the topic and find out what the reality is.

 

[Newchodge]

Hi all,

My 'friend' has an issue as follows;

They work on a flexible hours basis whereby they work 4 hours a day as they wish. Management recently decided this needed to be formalised somewhat so it was agreed in writing that they could work 4 hours anytime between 08.00 and 18.00.

Friend made some changes to routine at home and started working 08.00 to 12.00.

a short time since bringing in these changes, management have now decided the work must be done between 10.00 and 18.00.

No notification has been given other than being told by her manager that she has to start at 10.00 at the earliest from tomorrow.

Reason given for the change was questionable in terms of how necessary and certainly no reason for it it to be with immediate effect.

Is this correct and does my friend have any recourse or options at all ?

Thanks

The employee needs to have an open conversation about why this has happened and, if necessary, take the matter further.

 

[WaveJumper]

And what does her contract say about notice regarding change of hours that company should be giving employees

Not the care industry by any chance

 

[steve23]

And what does her contract say about notice regarding change of hours that company should be giving employees

Not the care industry by any chance

As far as we know its not mentioned in the contract. Not the care industry, but certainly a company that does not seem to care !

 

[WaveJumper]

I think then if not (but worth checking) I would follow @Newchodge advice above

 

[pentel]

Friend made some changes to routine at home and started working 08.00 to 12.00

Looking at it from an employers point of view It may be that under the previous informal system staff worked hours as and when and there was adequate staff coverage throughout the day.

By formalising the hours it could be that a LOT of employees have now realised that they can fit their time in first thing thus leaving the business short staffed later on in the day.

It sounds like the law of unintended consequences may be at play here.

 

[fisicx]

Had this at a place where I was contracting. Most came in really early and were goon soon after lunch. It meant there weren’t enough people to run the office in the afternoon. So they changed the core times.

@steve23, everything comes down to contracts and the employee handbook. You friend can fight the changes but eventually the new timings will become obligated. Whether your friend has a job or not when that happens is a different question.