Employment Law Question - work hours being changed

SeantheMan

Hi All,

For the last 4 years I have been working shift.
It equates to an average of (3x12hr) shifts a week. 8am-8pm and vice versa.

This is the job I signed up for, as I knew I would have plenty of time off.

Currently management and thinking and trying to change the working hours to a swing shift , which would involve (4x10hr) and 10am-8pm and 4pm-12am and all weird shifts.

My question is, although I understand they can probably do this, Do I have a right to refuse to work these new hours ?

With relation to working hours, my contract that I signed in 2008 says

Working Hours

While you work shifts you will attract an additional 18% shift allowance. The Data Centre is covered 365 days per annum, 24 hours a day and you will be rostered accordingly.

There will be a half-hour unpaid lunch break and two fifteen minute paid tea breaks each day. However, you will be required to be flexible and to work additional hours when necessary. Payment for overtime work is governed by the current practice in the firm.

All help appreciated

SeantheMan

Anyone ? please ?

Even a suggestion on how to get this clarified

Procrastastudy

Firstly will the shifts have at least 11 hours between them and one 35 hour break every 7 days. Thats the one employers normally forget about.

Beyond that I can only go by what I was taught as a retail manager (not exactly copper bottomed) that if someone was working the same hours for a number of weeks it became their contract though custom and practice and they had to agree to change them.

DiamondDave88

you should contact NERA they are usually helpful; http://www.employmentrights.ie/en/

Procrastastudy

Yes actually that ^^

And join a union.

SeantheMan

Thanks for the reply,

I sent off a mail to them.