Can employer change my contracted hours without my consent?

[793058]

Hi there,

I work in retail and was recently told by my manager that he wants to change my contracted hours but I need them to stay the same. Is there anything I can do to stop them from changing? I've done some research and am getting conflicting reports. Some websites say both parties need to agree before the hours can be changed, some say that the manager can change the number of hours but needs to give notice and others say that I can decline the change in hours but then my manager can always cancel my contract and give me a new one with the amended hours of employment. Can someone shed some light on this please? It's got me really depressed:tinysmile_cry_t:.

Thanks

[Sapphire]

Re: Can employer change my contracted hours without my consent?

Hi and welcome to the site, we have a specialist who will pop along soon, I think one thing she will ask is do you have a reason for wanting to keep your hours the same ?

[793058]

Re: Can employer change my contracted hours without my consent?

Hi Sapphire,

Thank you for the warm welcome and for your quick reply.. I will have fewer hours and as a result of this my income will be less. I know there are some people who don't have jobs at all at the moment but I don't think I'd be able to get by with a smaller wage than what I am currently on.

[basa48]

Re: Can employer change my contracted hours without my consent?

I'm pretty sure that in the final analysis an employer can change your contracted hours (assuming you even have a contract detailing working hours) whenever and to whatever he/she wishes (within reason).

You have the choice to accept the changes or not. 'Not' means resignation!

I'm equally sure Eloise will confirm (or slap me down) !!!!

[Eloise01]

Re: Can employer change my contracted hours without my consent?

Hi there,

I work in retail and was recently told by my manager that he wants to change my contracted hours but I need them to stay the same. Is there anything I can do to stop them from changing? I've done some research and am getting conflicting reports. Some websites say both parties need to agree before the hours can be changed, some say that the manager can change the number of hours but needs to give notice and others say that I can decline the change in hours but then my manager can always cancel my contract and give me a new one with the amended hours of employment. Can someone shed some light on this please? It's got me really depressed:tinysmile_cry_t:.

Thanks

You've pretty much got it is a nutshell - there are several answers, all of which are correct depending on the circumstances.

The obvious questions are:

Why does your employer want to change the hours?
What are you contractual hours and what would the new ones be?
Why do you need them to stay the same?

But to put you out of your misery (or probably not I'm afraid) - it is not at all difficult for an employer to force a change of contract, and the "best" possible outcome may be that you end up with different hours and not without a job. There are options available, but they may be limited depending on your answers - and there are no guarantees that you can keep what you want.

[Eloise01]

Re: Can employer change my contracted hours without my consent?

I'm pretty sure that in the final analysis an employer can change your contracted hours (assuming you even have a contract detailing working hours) whenever and to whatever he/she wishes (within reason).

You have the choice to accept the changes or not. 'Not' means resignation!

I'm equally sure Eloise will confirm (or slap me down) !!!!

Hmm - would you settle for rapped around the head instead of slapped down? Yes, changes can be made, they can be enforced - but that isn't the entire of the story. But since the "story" could take up pages, I'll need more details from the OP.

[basa48]

Re: Can employer change my contracted hours without my consent?

Hmm - would you settle for rapped around the head instead of slapped down? Yes, changes can be made, they can be enforced - but that isn't the entire of the story. But since the "story" could take up pages, I'll need more details from the OP.

I could say I'd prefer the slapping !! But that might contravene the forums T&Cs !!!!

I was sort of looking at it from the laymans point of view that yes maybe an employee can challenge an employers proposals (especially if they have an adverse effect on the employee), but that would need lawyers and barristers and could cost a small fortune with no guarantee of a successful result.

As I think you've said previously, discussion and negotiation is probably going to be more successful than confrontation. You get more with a carrot than with a stick.

[793058]

Re: Can employer change my contracted hours without my consent?

Hey, thanks for the advice basa48 and Eloise01

So basically I need to put together a compelling argument on why I need my old hours and discuss it with my manager but even after all this, I will probably end up getting my hours cut. Hhhmm, it doesn't look good for me does it, but at least now I have a clear answer and know the best way forward.

Thank you for your replies

[Eloise01]

Re: Can employer change my contracted hours without my consent?

Hey, thanks for the advice basa48 and Eloise01

So basically I need to put together a compelling argument on why I need my old hours and discuss it with my manager but even after all this, I will probably end up getting my hours cut. Hhhmm, it doesn't look good for me does it, but at least now I have a clear answer and know the best way forward.

Thank you for your replies

Pretty much yes. But you haven't exactly provided much detail on why this is happening and what is happening. "The story" matters a lot. It might constitute unfair dismissal, it also might not. On this amount of detail I couldn't hazard a guess.

[793058]

Re: Can employer change my contracted hours without my consent?

I don't know myself to be honest. It came as a surprise to me that the manager was allowed to change a contract and I didn't know what to say so I said I'd get back to him. I need to discuss this with him and find out why he wants to reduce my hours.

[Eloise01]

Re: Can employer change my contracted hours without my consent?

OK - do that and come back. Also ask whether other peoples hours are being reduced, and if not, why only yours?