Workplace dilemma

[REKIBorter]

I normally work one saturday morning every five weeks. This works out just fine, you are busy for the four hours and the time flies past. We have taken on a large national contract which has meant we have employed one more person to handle the extra business. Our boss says we need two people on every saturday from now on to cope. I agree it will be too busy for one person to handle.

My contract says that I must work saturdays as and when required.

The problem is ...

On every saturday morning that I am not working I take my 7 year old disabled son to Keech Cottage childrens hospice. He is terminally ill and won't live much beyond his late teens. They have employed a specialist nurse to care for him and another little boy in a similar position. I don't want my little boy to miss out on this vital care that is helping him greatly. My boss is aware of this, I told him as soon as the extra saturdays were suggested.

Do I stand my ground? he is not going to miss out what ever happens, we fought for nearly a year to get him into the hospice. My boss is normally a fair and understanding person but this time he is being totally different, I guess he has been told to sort it out what ever it takes.

I don't know what to do?

 

[hoegaardenadds1]

www.acas.org.uk

these guys are cool.

ask to see the company policy on flexible working for families.

they have to be flexible when it comes to family care and as you are a primary carer of a child under 16 years old. flexible may meen you'll have to make up the hours during the week though.

 

[Steve Kish]

Can he offer you a day off in lieu of the Saturday in which you can take the lad to the hospice?

IMHO, you and boss must sit down and try to work out a compromise.

However, if you can't agree something that suits you, I'd send him a formal letter outlining your side and telling him that despite your contractual obligations, you will not be able to work every Saturday for the reasons that you clearly set out.

Wait for his next move and TBH, it will be a brave man who takes action against you in their belief that you will put your work before the welfare of your loved son who obviously has a limited life.

If you like, I'll gladly draft a letter for you. Part of my profession is letter writing.

 

[CAS]

Are there other unpopular working times that you can offer to do double duty on in lieu of the Saturdays?

There may be a disability advocacy organisation in your area that will help you negotiate with you boss.

And as per the previous poster I think it would be a foolhardy boss who would insist in your circumstances!

 

[Pickle]

Kids first, work second.

Period.

Anyone that could tell you no, you cant care for your terminally ill son, you must work is a heartless shark and not worth working for.

Grab the precious time you have with your lad.

 

[suburbanreuben]

Imagine the publicity should the press get a whiff of this "story"...

 

[cchris2lou]

they need to give you notice that they are changing this agreement .
even if it is not in your contract and you have been doing it for a long time , i think it is called use and coutume ( or soemthing like that ) .
I think they need to give u 3 months notice .

 

[pigman]

I used to work for a major blue chip company in quite a senior/middle management position. There was a clause in our contract that stipulated that they could deploy us at any uk plant. There came a time when a vacancy arose at a factory and I was "asked" to get ready for a move. The company was very task oriented on the people v task scale, so you can imagine the degree of "asking". I simply stated my case clearly (verbally) that I had no intention of moving and that the ball was in their court. I was never asked again and continued a successful career there. The moral is you need to speak with your boss, clearly and without ranting or creating a negative vibe. If he cannot support you, then write as steve has suggested.
I would also counsel your workmates' opinion. Will they hold it against it you if you miss saturdays? Perhaps one of them could offer to do a swap. A mate who's in security has to work xmas days on rota. His colleagues who have no kids always volunteer to swap and cover for those with children, whatever the rota draw.

 

[hamster]

Firstly get down to the Citizens' Advice. They at least should point you in the way of an expert.
Secondly, they ARE in my view trying to change the terms of your employment, and that needs to be by negotiation. As you have already made it clear why you have a difficulty, you have a fairly strong position.

But, you need to tread carefully. I don't know how large a business you work for (I suspect small) but if there is an HR department you need to go down and have a chat with them.

Be very very careful about antagonising your boss. Get everything in writing, record discussions. Keep it factual about your difficulties. You need to get recognised as a dedicated employee in a tight spot, not as a member of the awkward squad.

Consider joining a Trade Union. They are a complete waste of time and money until you need them very badly.

 

[Average Mark]

You know what to do Chris, Jake first. Knowing you i would be very surprised if they would risk losing you by trying to enforce this.