I have recently returned to work after having my son. I work 19 hours a week for the local council run library. I have adequte childcare organised for the hours I am contracted to work.
Today I was TOLD I had to attend a branch meeting next Thursday, my day off. I said I would be able to attend as long as my son was able to come along with you.
Now this might sound bizzare but I used to only work Saturdays in another branch and I seen people actually bring their kids to work and I was always allowed to take my son along to meetings. They seem to bend the rules when it suits them.
Anyway, the area manager said that I couldn't bring him along (the meeting is only 1 hour long and pretting informal with only 4 people) and I was obliged to go to the meeting. We had a bit of a stale mate and it has been rescheduled for a day I am working, meaning someone else has to come in on their day off.
2007-06-27 09:08:13 · 13 answers · asked by Lovely Lady 4 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
My manager then went on to tell me that in the role I am in I am to be expected to do hours outwith those contracted now and again. This might not sound like a major thing but I have no other form of childcare other than that I have arranged for the hours I am contracted and cannot arrange anything on a 'now and again' basis.
I have been told to rethink my position.
They KNEW I had a child when I went for the interview and I made it clear that my contracted hours would not be a problem but things out with them were a non starter.
Where do I stand?
(sorry this is so long.)
2007-06-27 09:10:26 · update #1
Chloe - whether it was one hour or 5 minutes or all day I would have the same problems with childcare.
2007-06-27 09:14:26 · update #2
There is nothing whatsoever in my contract about meetings.
2007-06-27 09:15:00 · update #3
firstly, check your contract. It may say 'and any other duties that may be required of you...' If so, then you need to do read on: If not, then skip to the last paragraph....
Secondly, if you are asked to do extra time, it should be made clear how this time is to be claimed for, i.e.: toil or overtime, but knowing the council it will be toil. Clarify toil with your manager - Is it allowed, can it occur if asked for extra duties, when can I take it?
you seem to be asking not only for yourself but also this other person - this is better than any council obligation they throw at you, you are a team and support each other.
Now, extra guidance like this should normally come from your line manager, so I would suggest that you ask for a chat and a bit of 1 to 1 with them, all questions listed etc..
If your contract does not say this then you still need that chat with your line manager and get it sorted. They can not ask you to do extraneous duties beyond contract. Clarify your Job Description, talk to line managers (if you can not, find a line manager you can talk to for advice, someone you trust or go to their line manager, your bigger boss) stress difficulties and loyalties and the desire to perform well as a functioning team.
Toil must be given, work must be acknowledged. Join the council Union, unison? cheep and great!!! seriously, you never know...good luck xxx
2007-06-27 10:21:29 · answer #1 · answered by MARYJANE 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
As long as you are being paid for the meeting time there is nothing you can do. And if you're in a library why not just bring your son (don't even bother asking) and set him up with an audio book or log him into a computer that someone is not using and bring up some kid friendly site he can look at while you're in the meeting. You seem to have a pretty good thing going there, I wouldn't screw it up with this minor issue, there are many jobs where your are expected to be on call all the time. You may have trouble finding another job with such a predictable schedule.
2007-06-27 16:22:54 · answer #2 · answered by fleetwind141 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
As a 'single' working mother (my partner works abroad, I am self-employed) I understand the predicament you are in.
However, although your line manager is out of order with what she said to you, you do need to think clearly about this.
As another person has said, if such meetings are stated in your contract as being part of your job, or even if this is a normal part of your job, the day is not relevant.
What you need to do is find a way to negotiate the best solution. It seems this time that has happened with the meeting being moved to another day. I can only assume that the person who had to attend on his/her day off does not have the childcare issues that you do.
This sounds like perfect teamwork. Learn to be a little flexible and maybe found a group or rota of working mothers who can help each other out in this sort of situation.
By being proactive, you might find yourself getting more from your career.
Good luck.
2007-06-27 16:23:06 · answer #3 · answered by Laura 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You're going to go far in that job! A team player you are not. If it was more than an hour I can see your problem. You get paid for the hour and I'm sure you could have found child care for 1 hour. Sound like a big baby to me - you - not your son.
As far as the additional hours working not in your contract - I'd tell them to rethink their position. Unless it specifies that you will have to work them, they are wrong. I think I'd just find a new job where the manager is not an a-hole. It will be one little thing after another. He has a power trip going.
2007-06-27 16:12:14 · answer #4 · answered by Chloe 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I believe they have a duty to be reasonable flexible. But I also work for a local authority, and I'm still amazed at their disregard for the law. Go to your line manager first. If you feel that you have a reasonable case and it hasn't been resolved. Find out the councils child friendly policy. Which will sound great on paper. Then armed with it go to personnel. If still no joy. Council hate councilors getting involved or MP's.
2007-06-27 17:01:45 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
You will be fired if you cannot do what they want of you. You do not have a stand to take. Do you need your job? Then comply. When they told you to rethink your position, it means you can comply or quit......which looks better on a resume than 'fired'. If you stand your ground , do you really think life at work will be OK from there on out? It looks like they are trying to work with you by scheduling the meeting on a regularly scheduled work day. Count your blessings.
2007-06-27 16:17:22 · answer #6 · answered by tlbrown42000 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
What was your upfront conversation when you took the job. Was there a discussion that you may have to attend meetings on your day off? If you were told that then you need to attend.
If you were not told about meetings on your day off then you are 100% in the right.
2007-06-27 16:12:00 · answer #7 · answered by DYTRADE 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Most employer's insist on a contract of employment, which is more for their benefit than yours. But to change a contract they must have your permission, it may be for this reason that they are having the meeting, find out if this is the reason.
2007-06-27 16:34:02 · answer #8 · answered by Derek W 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You might want to consult you job description and/or your contract. Mine says that I may be asked to do just about anything at any time in extraordinary circumstances
2007-06-27 16:21:48 · answer #9 · answered by funkysi65a 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Is it part of your contract of employment that you are required to attend such meetings? If it is, the time and date of the meeting is irrelevant, you must attend.
2007-06-27 16:13:34 · answer #10 · answered by msi_cord 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋