I will give you some background...
I am a single mum to a beautiful 4 year old girl, for the last two years I have worked for a national supermarket on a 16 hours per week contract. Last year I started a degree and due to a labour match my working hours changed to three evenings (4-8PM) and a Saturday morning per week. I was able to work these hours because my daughter was in nursery 5 mornings a week and my sister who had just had a baby herself was able to pick her up and mind her for me whilst I was at university and at work.
A year later my daughter is going into full time education and my university timetable is changing, I can still work two evenings a week and Saturday morning. Yesterday I put a letter into my personnel manager requesting that the third evening shift I work be moved to a daytime shift, due to the fact that I can no longer get any childcare for a Friday evening (as my sister has gotten a bar job). My letter was briefly scanned and she said that it was "not possible to work of a daytime on any department within the store and how does my daughter going to school full time affect my working hours?" Also due to another labour match taking place the store want me to move my hours from 4PM-8PM to 5PM-9PM, I do not drive and by the time I have bussed it after working these hours and collected my daughter it would be near to 10pm.
The thought of this is making me feel physically sick, I have tried to talk to my personnel manager in the past and have heard comments such as .."its not my problem, I have a business to run", "it is always you, who has problems with childcare".
What can I do? I don't even know how to approach this without getting myself upset and not being able to get out what I want to say.
I would be grateful for any help and advice anyone can give, I have never felt so helpless as I do right now.
Thanks x
2006-07-22 03:27:48 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
If you live in the UK and have a child under the age of 6 (which you do), providing that you have not previously requested specific working hours due to childcare, the company is obliged to "seriously consider request for flexible working hours". They can however reject it, but will have to put it in writing with a bloody good reason for rejection, otherwise you could sue for discrimination.
2006-07-22 03:35:57 · answer #1 · answered by ribena 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have to say the personnel manager should not be in the job. The attitude stinks. If it is a large company it must have enough staff to accommodate your hours. If not then you can complain up the line to the store manager or get another job. You may have a case for constructed dismissal but you need to talk to citizens advice. Its not the end of the world you got a great kid and that's what matters. I wish you the best.
2006-07-22 04:11:42 · answer #2 · answered by deadly 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is hard, but you really need to find a new job. Your child and education must come first. Things will be hard, but when your done with school it will be worth it. This is assuming that you job isn't what you plan to make your career. You must take control of your life not the company that you work for.
2006-07-22 03:42:21 · answer #3 · answered by rastus7742 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is USA labor: Unfortunately I believe you will have to start to look for a new job, for the company is under no legal requirements to change your hours again for your child care needs are considered personal in nature.
Also if you are in USA do not quit for the reasons you stated above for you will not be able to receive UN-employments benefits you will need to be terminated but do not quit
2006-07-22 03:58:50 · answer #4 · answered by goz1111 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like you have a union to let in on what your problem is,if so,contact your union rep and explain your situation to them I'm sure they can help you out,as that is what unions do,help with employer employee relations.You may be labeled as a troublemaker for doing so,but they won't mess with you for to long if they think you will go to your rep again.If you are not unionized,find a job that will look after it's employees in a fair environment.Also look into labour standards for your area.
2006-07-22 03:45:33 · answer #5 · answered by kents411 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
welcome to the club babe ........... i have a 5 year old .. i was able to stay at home with him till he was 3 .. then i put him in nursery school so i could go to work ... half of my salary went on his fees ...
Now he is at school .. i have 2 part time jobs.. so i am able to take him to school and pick him up ... if i went into full time work ... id have to pay £25 a day for after school care ... so ... that would take up most of my wages !!
Its not easy .. but you cope ... because you have to ... CHANGE JOBS babe ... its the only way ...
2006-07-22 03:36:42 · answer #6 · answered by snooky me! 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
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2016-12-10 13:31:32 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
you should try at human resorces at your work, if they have one, they need to try and give you the hours that you need due to childcare commitments, im sure its in the law, try looking on the internet. if your manager wont help you try and get in touch with head office to see what there policies are regarding the childcare issues.
2006-07-22 03:53:36 · answer #8 · answered by vic6981 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would try to find a different job. Because you need time to see your daughter also.
2006-07-22 03:33:39 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Blanket your c.v out to other shops, supermarkets, video stores, anywhere were the hours will suit you.
2006-07-22 03:38:22 · answer #10 · answered by baroness 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋