can anyone in the uk tell me if my job can force me to work 12 hour shifts?

Answer 1

This depends on a number of things.

Is it custom and practice for 12 hour shifts to be worked at your company?

Does this practice exceed the working time regulations?

Have you signed out of your 48 hour limit if this is the case?

Is this request reasonable?

Not all orders given by your manager must be obeyed automatically. They must be lawful.

Would this practice affect your health and safety under the H & SW Act or other legislation?

In theory they can do this under an implied duty of fidelity on your part, which is an implied term of your contract of employment. but there are other considerations.

See a solicitor or citizen's advice.

Good luck.

Answer 2

under the employment contract if u have given them the waiver then it is possible. in simple terms if u have provided that u r available and can work any hoours in between a specific time say 12 to 12 it is possible. but the general standard is u will not be required to work more than 8 hours and u should have atleast 45 mnts break in between and and atleast 10-12 hours break in between two shifts. but read ur contract terms with ur employer first as if u have agreed u might end up doing extra shift as overtime. if u r having rouble with extra hours making madatory u can claim for stress from excessive work load under the stattute as the employer is bound to take care of ur mentall health as well, have a look at the employers' liability act.

Answer 3

Not everything that is written in your contract is enforceable by your employer best bet is to ask the citizens advice.
this is taken from article 18 of the European working time directive:
(b) (i) However, a Member State shall have the option not to apply Article 6, while respecting the general principles of the protection of the safety and health of workers, and provided it takes the necessary measures to ensure that:
no employer requires a worker to work more than 48 hours over a seven- day period, calculated as an average for the reference period referred to in point 2 of Article 16, unless he has first obtained the worker s agreement to perform such work,
no worker is subjected to any detriment by his employer because he is not willing to give his agreement to perform such work,
the employer keeps up-to-date records of all workers who carry out such work.
It talks about a 48 hour working week but the hours are to be calculated as an average.

Answer 4

depends on the job what was posted when you singed up ie job description and if they have changed the job description. My uncle works as a immigration officer and works 12 to 13 hours days for 10 days straight then he has 2 days off

Answer 5

I think so,according to the Working Time Directive,so long as you have rest breaks and an maximum 48 hour week

However you should check with your Trade Union representative

Answer 6

I guess it depends what you signed up for, if your job has changed from say 7.5 hours a day, then I dont think they can force you, however they can make life very difficult. What do the terms and condition say?

Answer 7

depends whats written in your contract, if it states 12 hour shifts, then yes,
if not then no, check with your local employment office.

Answer 8

Work as hard as you can but enjoy life. Work like a slave but live like a king.

Answer 9

Only if it's in your contract.

Answer 10

depends on your contract