Am I being unfair? (work related)

lolage

lolage

lolage

fiveub's Slave
Associate
Joined
1 Sep 2007
Posts
1,461
Location
OcUK HQ
Hi

Basically I'm a university student, and I have been working part time at a super market for just over a year. I have 6 contracted hours but I probably do anywhere between 12-20.

My availability was pretty good for the first year due to only having the one job and only having uni 2 days a week. Now however I'm in uni more (which they can't really say much about!) but recently I've got a new job doing nightclub photography.

So I handed in some availabilty basically saying that I can only work till 8:30pm on Friday/Saturday and that I could only start work at 9:00pm/10:00pm on Saturday/Sunday due to working long shifts through the night at the nightclub!

One of my managers basically threw my new availabilty in the bin and said that I can't just make availabity to suit my own needs - I have to work around them, he said he shouldn't have to work around me. :rolleyes::confused: Surely availability is when I'm available..?

Just wondering what people think of this? I've been good up until now, never phoned in sick - will most of the time cover shifts when needed but when it comes to changing my availabilty slightly on the weekend its a massive problem. Id understand if I said I won't work weekends full stop but thats not the case...

I'd also understand if I worked full time on a 38hr contract but I'm part time on a 6 hour contract... :confused:

Any ideas? I may just look for a new part time job while studying at uni...
 
Try and reason with him for now. If that doesn't work, go over his head to the next person up. If you were taken on in the first place with the understanding that your studies came first, this shouldn't be happening.
 
int said:
Try and reason with him for now. If that doesn't work, go over his head to the next person up. If you were taken on in the first place with the understanding that your studies came first, this shouldn't be happening.
Click to expand...

Hes not the most reasonable person. He can be really jokey one second, then full on serious the next - you never know where you are with him...

[TW]Fox;23044260 said:
It's not his studies that are the issue though its his second job..
Click to expand...

Indeed...
 
If one manager says no ask the next. At the end of the day they have shifts to fill so unless your availability overlaps their shifts they may not schedule you at all.

MW
 
What's actually changed? Providing you are still able to work your contracted hours then that's all that matters. If they ask you to do a shift and you can't, just say no. If you can, say yes.
 
Unless your contract says that you can pick and choose your hours then I'd be looking for a new job. I won't bore you with my personal experience (from both being a student and then a little senior) but you're basically stuffed.
 
A sorry, misread your dilemma!

If that's the case, one job taking priority over another can be a bit stickier to deal with. Might be better off finding a new part time job and let them know right away that you've got other commitments which can't be moved / need to be worked around.
 
I have been threatened in the past with getting 6 hours a week if I don't give better availabilty which would be 2x 3 hour shifts which is a bit of a pain. :o

Was just wondering if I was being unreasonable - I guess I'm not but my work are in the position to be arses I guess...
 
I wouldn't say you're being unreasonable, you're telling them when you're available. If they have shifts that match your availability, no problem, if not, you don't work.

They can't force you to work hours when you have other commitments, especially if you aren't contracted for them, if they wanted to make sure you were available at specific times, they should have contracted you for those times - it works both ways. If they can't guarantee that you'll have specific hours work, why should you sit at home twiddling your thumbs just in case they want you to work when it suits them?
 
Last edited:
[FnG]magnolia;23044334 said:
You are being unreasonable actually.

e:



No, no it is not.
Click to expand...

Hmm I get that point, but its a part time job - I'm contracted 6 hours. Are they really to say I have to work my life around when they want me? I'd understand if it was full time - but part time with a 6hr contract... :rolleyes:?
 
They're not obligated to change your hours, I'd personally just have a chat with your manager and request that he take them into consideration.

Just change job if they don't play ball although I can't think of many places being willing to take on such a low amount of contracted hours.

Isn't photography work at nightclubs usually paid on how many customers you get? (I forgot the term >.<)


lolage said:
Hmm I get that point, but its a part time job - I'm contracted 6 hours. Are they really to say I have to work my life around when they want me? I'd understand if it was full time - but part time with a 6hr contract... :rolleyes:?
Click to expand...

That's what a job is. If they don't want you then they'd have gotten rid of you XD
 
They have demands and requirements and you're a tiny piece in that jigsaw which makes whichever supermarket you're talking about work.

I'd suggest you look for something else. Your nightclub photography stuff must pay more than Sainsburys or Tesco so can't you expand on that instead of trying to manage two jobs?
 
Kamwah said:
They're not obligated to change your hours, I'd personally just have a chat with your manager and request that he take them into consideration.

Just change job if they don't play ball although I can't think of many places being willing to take on such a low amount of contracted hours.

Isn't photography work at nightclubs usually paid on how many customers you get? (I forgot the term >.<)

That's what a job is. If they don't want you then they'd have gotten rid of you XD
Click to expand...

I didn't choose to have 6 hours, most people are contracted that in case it goes quiet we all get low hours.. :/ I'd like around 16....

[FnG]magnolia;23044381 said:
They have demands and requirements and you're a tiny piece in that jigsaw which makes whichever supermarket you're talking about work.

I'd suggest you look for something else. Your nightclub photography stuff must pay more than Sainsburys or Tesco so can't you expand on that instead of trying to manage two jobs?
Click to expand...

I do the nightclub stuff on a commision basis from selling keyrings. Some nights I can come away with £80, others £20 for 3 hours work... Although I do enjoy this and want to carry on it would probably be a good idea to have something stable to fall back on!
 
Haggisman said:
I wouldn't say you're being unreasonable, you're telling them when you're available. If they have shifts that match your availability, no problem, if not, you don't work.
Click to expand...

What would your boss say if you phoned him up and said you were not available next week?
 
your manager is an ass, let him know that you have a new rota, for uni. and he is obliged by law to help your in your study patern.

you made it clear in your initial appointment this was the case.

if he doesnt, go above his head and let them know...simples
 
lolage said:
I didn't choose to have 6 hours, most people are contracted that in case it goes quiet we all get low hours.. :/ I'd like around 16....



I do the nightclub stuff on a commision basis from selling keyrings. Some nights I can come away with £80, others £20 for 3 hours work... Although I do enjoy this and want to carry on it would probably be a good idea to have something stable to fall back on!
Click to expand...

Hmm weird, it must not be a very busy supermarket? I know sainsburys don't contract for anything less than 12hours in most of their stores.
 
[TW]Fox;23044418 said:
What would your boss say if you phoned him up and said you were not available next week?
Click to expand...

Providing I'm not contracted to work, then they wouldn't mind. Why should/would they? :confused:

soundood said:
your manager is an ass, let him know that you have a new rota, for uni. and he is obliged by law to help your in your study patern.
Click to expand...

Are they?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom