demoted after being told I was temp, wasn't told I was temp!!?

Question

I have been working for the company (river island) for 2 years.
One month ago I was promoted from level 1 to level 2 supervisor and tool on the exra shift.
Now I have been told by the new managers that it was only temporary.
I was never told this, I have not visited my family for months so I can gain supervisory experience, as my work is at the weekend.
Now I am being replaced, I have been demoted back to level 1 with a pay drop also. I am still expected to work the same hours despite me not having worked them before I started the level 2/supervisor episode.
Am I within my rights to refuse with one days notice (I only found out thursday, I am due to work the weekend but back at level 1.)
This feels unfair and I feel walked over, my managers wont speak to me as they are buisy learning the ropes.
They think all the 1 year plus staff are theives as retail has a bad reputation, they dont say this outloud. I am not a thief but feel this is why they have done what they did to me.

Mel- I have not seen my family for months as I had been training on the weekend prior to being promoted, its on the job training so I was working the shift at the supervisor level and was finally promoted at the end of April.

I want to thank everyone for the input, its what I needed.
I had already written a letter to announce my standing down for the level 1 position I am now just expected to cover on sundays (this never has been my contracted shift, weekend level 1 is not a shift I have ever been contracted to do, I have only ever worked level 2 on the weekend and am in another part of the store for my normal contracted hours when I work the weekdays) .
I was not sure if I was going OTT, or within my rights to refuse to work or going mad as I was so upset. (I put alot into my job) so thankyou everyone for the backing!

Answer 1

It seems very unfair what's happened to you. There must be a way for you to fight this decision but is it worth all the agro and heartache? Proving anything is an uphill struggle when it's one persons word against anothers.

What I would do if I was in your boots would be to find another job asap. You've got over 2 years experience working for the same company, plus you've got supervisor experience even if it was only a 'temporary' position. You can do better than working for a company which clearly doesn't value its employees.

Get applying for as many supervisor and trainee/assistant manager positions as you can find. You've nothing to lose but everything to gain.

Answer 2

This is an odd situation, and you are certainly able to refuse to work the shift, but the employer can also refuse to offer you continued employment if you don't accept the conditions under which they are offering it.

I would try to find out from the person who was your boss when you were a supervisor whether you were viewed as a good performer or not. A performance review might also give you this info.

I'm also confused if you were promoted a month ago since you stated that you haven't seen your family for "months" because you were trying to gain supervisory experience.

At any rate, your experience may be more marketable at another company that it is within your own - it may be time to consider making a change.

Good luck.

Answer 3

Hi there.
So sorry to hear of your predicament.

You should check your contract and find out the actual details. (If you were promoted, you should have been offered to sign a new contract.)
As far as I'm aware, you have the right refuse one day's notice. If it is true, and you weren't made aware of the position being temporary, then you DO have the right to claim unfair dismissal. You can check this at any Citizen's Advice Bureau, or at River Island's HO.

Good luck :)

Answer 4

I do not know what Country you are in, but in the UK, and I am sure this is the same in the US, where you work for any company for 2 years or more, even dead on the 2 years or one day over, and regardless of whether you are permanent or a temp, you are deemed as a permanent member of staff, with full and due entitlement to all benefits and considerations enjoyed by permanent staff.

Answer 5

This is the capitalist practise that we all have to deal with. Just do it as you need to pay your rent and things and meanwhile apply for a new job and as soon as you get one, tell them that you are leaving. And leave. But expect no better from employers anywhere. It is a use use use type situation. When they need you they are nice to you and when they finish they want to sack you. Like who**ng without the pleasure.

Answer 6

In any employer, in the journey that your "vast boss" includes you desirous to communicate with you, you turn on your customer and with politeness excuse your self for some moments and provide the entire interest to the "vast boss". After maximum of years, this is staggering that this interestingly did no longer ensue to you as a results of fact the common sense direction of action. you honestly brushed aside your "vast boss" - vast mistake - subsequently the worries over your attitude. i don't be attentive to the style you think of you could stay to tell the story interior the activity after that. you have disrespected an experienced professional who's the two between the vendors or is a valid representative of the owner, having been with the employer for a protracted time and been promoted numerous circumstances as a effect of overall performance and performance. As a HR supervisor myself, i do no longer see you as a troublemaker, basically slightly dim, digging holes for your self unnecessarily. by the style, HR basically technique terminations on the learning of alternative managers. HR is itself in no way honestly to blame for a termination

Answer 7

Check your contract of employment, get in touch with ACAS or get advice from citizens advice. Ask for a copy of the grievance procedure and make your issues known to your employer the correct way. Citizens advice can help you with this as they have employment law specialists available. Good luck.

Answer 8

They seen to have you as a sucker get out asap find another job first and see a solicitor

That is the choice because it is a case of like it or lump it

Answer 9

They can demote you to street level if they want. They cannot, however, raise your pay and then lower it again without written agreements, contracts, rules in the handbook, etc. If they demote you, they have to pay you the same unless they can demonstrate incompetence, negligence, etc.

Answer 10

there taking the mick out of you a job done the same before i didnt go back in to work the next day they said i left them in the lerch but i said no you cant take my position away