What are my rights to resist a shift change? (Shift Premium decreases by 26%)

T

tipping

Registered User
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59
Just received notice that my shift pattern is to change which results in a decrease in shift premium by 26% or approx 10k pa. I just bought a house and can't afford to take the salary drop now. This decision came out of the blue with no discussion or consultation (and in an e-mail..grrrr...)
Can I fight this? What sort of rights have I got?

Any advice appreciated.
 
Here's what I think is relevant from my contract..

******* reserves the right to change the minimum working hours, to require you to work shifts and overtime and to change your shifts, provided that before exercising any such entitlement ******* will consult you and consider any reasonable objections that you may have to the proposed changes.

However I wasn't consulted in any way about the change.. Can I argue this point?
 
Depending on the circumstances of the company it does not seem reasonable to change someone’s shift pattern without consulting them first. If the company is in a difficult trading position then it may require employees to be more flexible than would normally be expected but there is no excuse for a total lack of consultation.
I think that you have nothing to loose by talking to your manager and asking why this decision was made and why you were not consulted. You should also make it clear that you may not be in a position to accept these changes. See what the response is and take it from there. Let us know how you get on.
 
Thanks for the link. Not sure if it applies. In my contract they reserve the right to change shifts etc..

"Unless your contract already allows certain changes to be introduced, you or your employer cannot introduce change unilaterally. There must be agreement between the parties."
 
"and consider any reasonable objections that you may have to the proposed changes."

I guess it's a case of considering whether a loss of 10K per year is 'reasonable?
 
Thanks for all the help guys. Have nearly agreed on a compromise closer to 30% which I should be able to work with. All it needed was a reasonable discussion!!
 
cant say i know what you are saying either... But it sounds like this...person 1:will you buy my car .
person 2...yes i will give you 3grand
person 1 ..no i want 2800
person 2..well ???ok..you drive a hard bargain!!
 
Your contract has it sewn up. These companies can move you round at a whim to 'suite business needs'

Only angle you have is if you are really needed - have some special skills, etc that they cannot do without - then you have some leverage.
 
You are now accepting a bigger reduction in shift premium?
D'oh.. sorry for the confusion here. Shift premium decreased to 30% from 43%, instead of 43% to 17%.
 
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