Just my luck

Laika

Laika

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Now I'm not one to moan... buuuut

Things have been taking a rather positive turn for me and Alfie recently and just as luck would have it, now there's another block in the road. So my work place have decided to change my hours. We're talking unsocial hours (and no they're not offering to pay me any more). Obviously, horse comes first because that's one of the main reasons I work so hard because I want to offer him the best life he can get.

So I suppose the real question is... does anyone need a hard working nearly 25 year old for any job? ;)

All jokes aside, I'm pretty heart broken as I really loved this job, but I cannot fathom not seeing my horse as much and have to pay somebody to look after him, I want to be the one who is there for him. I think it's more a case of ranting than anything, but just such a shame after working so hard for somewhere and I'm going to have to consider moving on.

Ahhhhh life, you bum me out sometimes.
 
There are a lot of "Loop Holes" in the contract, serves me right for being so naive. They've very much changed a lot of things for me and they keep getting me with this clause "We have the right to ask you to work unsocial hours depending on the needs of the business". However, they're quite literally changing my contracted hours and forcing me to sign up to the change.

Shame as it's literally around the corner from my stables and as it's close to my mum's work so it allows me take my mum wherever she needs (she's recently had surgery). Don't mean to sound like I'm whinging, but life can't half be unfair sometimes.
 
If you don’t want to do it then look for a new job. But I would think twice about giving up a job you love just because you don’t want to spend less time with your horse, better to have quality time and a happy mindset than more time in a new job you may not like as much.
 
Michen said:
If you don’t want to do it then look for a new job. But I would think twice about giving up a job you love just because you don’t want to spend less time with your horse, better to have quality time and a happy mindset than more time in a new job you may not like as much.
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Yeah, I know. It's been on my mind for a while. They've made quite a lot of promises to me as of late that haven't come to fruition. I love the JOB, I don't so much like the company... if that makes sense?

EDIT: not to mention the fact that I will be implicated with additional costs to have my horse looked after too.
 
promises that don't come to fruition are very frustrating, similar job different company an option? Of course if you can get an offer elsewhere it means you are potentially in a stronger negotiating position if you did choose to stay.
 
What has changed? Are you working the same number of hours? Just different shift pattern? I'm just thinking cause I know a lot of people who work some really odd shift patterns eg. 10pm - 6am they just adjust their horsey schedule to match. For example morning check is now after work, then they sleep, then they ride and have quality time with the horse, then go to work.

If you're working more hours then that's really rubbish if they're paying you the same.
 
ester said:
promises that don't come to fruition are very frustrating, similar job different company an option? Of course if you can get an offer elsewhere it means you are potentially in a stronger negotiating position if you did choose to stay.
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This was my thought. I feel like they really need me to stay but I don't think they would be willing to make that change. In their words "There is no wiggle room"
 
curiosity101 said:
What has changed? Are you working the same number of hours? Just different shift pattern? I'm just thinking cause I know a lot of people who work some really odd shift patterns eg. 10pm - 6am they just adjust their horsey schedule to match. For example morning check is now after work, then they sleep, then they ride and have quality time with the horse, then go to work.

If you're working more hours then that's really rubbish if they're paying you the same.
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Same amount of hours, but working on shifts between 7-7... so it's a lot of my day taken up. My thoughts were that I could go at lunch with it being so close?
 
Allykat said:
So what hours do you work now? Are they expecting you to do 12 hour days or just shifts within those hours?
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Shifts on a rota based on the requirements. I'm on 8-5 at the moment but I get flexi time... which will also be taken off me.
 
Assuming you’re not working the full 12 hours of 7-7, you should be ok? If you have an early finish, pay someone to turn out for you, and vice versa if you have a late start. My horse is on part livery and our bond has got much stronger as the time I’m at the yard I’m with him, not filling nets/mucking our/poo picking. I know it’s not for everyone - just trying to say you shouldn’t lose any quality time with your horse just because you have someone else doing a few jobs.

I’m rarely at the yard before 6.30/7 after work and it’s manageable. Likewise I know lots of people who commute a few hours to/from work and are up at 5 to ride etc and then not back until 8. If you like the job, don’t give it up! Enjoying your work is so important, you’ll find a way to fit the horse in around it.

(and I say this as someone who has only ever/will only ever work to keep my horse!)
 
Thanks Pixie, that's very good advice and nice to hear from somebody with experience.

I think I've just been a bit spoilt because I've had it so good and I need to take my mum into consideration with a lot of things. I'm sorry to moan everyone.
 
Once you know what your shifts will be, you'll find it manageable I'm sure. I have two horses and go before work to turn out/muck out etc - usually about 5:30am and then go back on an evening, usually about 6pm and bring in, ride and feed etc... turn back out if they're having a night out.

It's a struggle in winter - but at this time of year you'll find it easy managing shifts between 7-7 x
 
it is frustrating but you will just need to adjust, as sounds like in other aspects you like the job and location is useful.
I used to work at a school and also a charity both near the horses: so mornings I always had until 8am to sort the horses, but often did mine in the dark as earned a bit more doing a few horses down the road some days. then school had a tiny lunch break so no good, but I ended at 3.15, flew to the horses a few miles away to bring in/feed/ turn out, depending on the time of year, and then went to job number 2 for 4.30 a few nights a week.

Depending on your yards fees you may even find it works out well to pay for a little extra help, as even if it is near by your time is worth money and it can be really convenient to say pay for them to turn out or bring in some days (I'm on rented land and really sometimes wish that was a regular option!)
 
Losing the flexi time will be annoying as you have got use to it but realistically it's only an hour earlier to start and on your 'Late' shifts you will have more time in the mornings.

My horse is on livery but I do shifts comprising 8-4, 9-5, 12.30-8 and 8-8 night shifts. The worse one for me is the 9-5. The traffic is worse, parking is a nightmare and it makes my day so much longer. I love my late shifts and get to spend decent time at the yard before work. Invaluable in the winter when you can make use of a bit of light. You will gain a bit of extra time at either end of the day depending on what shift. I can also swap shift fairly easily so if horse needs dentist etc I can book them for a morning and work a late or night shift so my morning is free without needing to take leave. It can work.
 
Last year I went from working 7-2.30 self employed to a 24/7 shift pattern. I mostly do evenings (12:00-22:00), lates (17:00-02:45) or nights (20:00-06:00) or variations to that effect.

I struggled a bit with accepting someone else doing them in the evening as I always did them myself but overall i’m Much much happier. I mean for me it was a whole career change which has also made a huge difference but I get plenty of time one end of the day with them and now if I work a day shift I actually find it really difficult as I’m used to having plenty of time in the morning instead of rushing around after work when I’m tired. Plus my third day off due to the compressed hours makes a massive difference. They don’t care who brings them in or gives them their dinner!
 
I had a similar thing happen to me. I called ACAS and they advised me that your contract cannot be changed without your consent. So if your hours are written in to your contract, they can't be changed unless you agree to them.

If your employer enforces changes to your contract which you do not agree to and which would make your life/job impossible it can be construed as constructive dismissal.

Disclaimer: This advice was given 2 years ago and things may have changed! Do give ACAS a call though, I found them extremely helpful. :)
 
Was just going to suggest speaking to ACAS too.

Not just about the change of hours but also the loss of flexi time
 
Wow thanks guys. I really can't thank you all enough! I haven't signed anything yet, so I will keep you posted.
 
So, we had a meeting and they've advised that if I don't sign willingly, it would indicate to them that I am not enthusiastic about working there and as such, feel perhaps I am not right for the job.

I have taken the hint and signed, but I will be looking for a new job. I am not best pleased about the tactics they've used to get their own way. Unfortunately, the hand book as a very clever clause, so I don't think there's much I can do.
 
What an unpleasant way to behave! I don't think I'd like working for a company that acted like that. Good luck with finding a new job!
 
Laika, if I were you I would be consulting an employment law solicitor about this. I had similar years ago when my company moved premises, at the time they wanted to change my contract and add a clause that would have meant they could send me anywhere they liked to work as long as they deemed it reasonable.

My job at the time was office based and there was no need to travel except for the occasional trip for a training course. However, at the time of this office move one of the other offices had limited cover for admin and they wanted to be able to send me there, or to the head office if they were short of people - this being their idea of 'reasonable'. I had no intention of signing up to this, if it had been in the contract to start with I wouldn't have signed it! I don't want and don't need the hassle of work based travel and getting others to do my horse for me (I know some people don't mind, but I do, especially as I am on a rented yard and do all the work, including maintenance, myself). I consulted a solicitor and she said that the word 'reasonable' was too risky for me to sign up to. The company was global and in theory I could have been sent to any office in any country by signing up to the new wording. I went back to my employer, pointed this out and told them I'd consulted a solicitor specialising in employment law and low and behold, the HR person consulted the company legal representative, who agreed with my solicitor (don't ask me why she wasn't asked about this to start with) and I didn't have to sign a new contract. The only thing that happened was that the place of work was altered in an amendment which I did sign so that the contract would be current when the premises changed.
 
If I am being completely honest, despite the fact that I like the job that I do, I have no aspirations to work in a company that can treat me like this and throw threats around. Everything happens for a reason right?

I have to thank you all for your help. It's great to hear that others have had similar experiences.
 
How unpleasant. I've been through some changes in contracts and although you know it's going to happen eventually, each one has followed correct change procedures and consultation periods.

Really don't blame you for feeling the way you do. Good luck with the job hunting.
 
Having seen your last update, I think you're definitely right to look for a new job. If they'd been apologetic about the change and tried to accommodate your needs as much as possible, that's one thing. But to act like that is just bullying. Definitely speak to ACAS or an employment law specialist, as others have said. They can't push you out of a role or bully you into something.

In my last job I was told to pick my horse or my job (guess which one won...), and in hindsight, I really wish I'd taken it further and sought legal help. Good luck with job hunting!
 
Thank-you very much Allykat, very kind of you.

pixie27 said:
In my last job I was told to pick my horse or my job (guess which one won...), and in hindsight, I really wish I'd taken it further and sought legal help. Good luck with job hunting!
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If only I could divulge who I worked for, because in all honesty Pixie, it's painfully ironic.
 
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