Change of working pattern.

[spire2003]

I have worked for my current employer for 7 years. My initial contract was 5 days from 7. I was to have Thursday's & Saturday's off. After a couple of months, in agreement verbally with area manager, this changed so that all my colleagues & myself worked alternate weekends. In effect one week we worked Sat & Sun & the following week had both days off. This has not been an issue for more than 6 years. The company are now wanting us to work to the original contract. There are only 4 of us at work. Two would work Saturday & the other two Sunday. Work wise it still means the same as is now except off is going to upset everyone as we all enjoy having alternate weekends off. There has been no issues at all with payroll department & rotas.All hours are covered & everyone wants to stay as we are. We have all , privately, said we would consider looking for new jobs if they insist on making us change our working patterns. Do we have any rights ?

[paulajayne]

Have the four of you spoken to management to give your feeling on reverting to the older shift pattern?

[ULA]

Although it has been 6 years, effectively the company are requesting you to work back to your original contracted hours and I presume that is the case for the other individuals.

When are they planning on reverting back to the contractual hours i.e. how much notice have they given you?
Have the company explained the reason for wanting to revert back?

Is it worth the four of you having a discussion with your manager/HR in regard to the changes and trying to see whether, if there is no business benefit, you could not stay as you are as it works for all of you.

[spire2003]

Have the four of you spoken to management to give your feeling on reverting to the older shift pattern?

We are having one to one meetings next week.I am the team leader & have only been informed today. We all had to fill in a form stating what days / hours we work. It was suggested that if there was to be no change then that would be the end of the matter. As we have been asked to attend one to one we are expecting management to make us revert back to original contract after six years.