14 hour shifts

[princess-kaf]

I started working in a hospital in april, when i got the job they explained that the shift hours were 8 hours long (or 11 for nights) I was told i would only have to do one week of nights per year, the rest would be 5 days a week, 8 hrs a day.

After looking at my rota i have now seen that i am down to work some long days (7.30am to 9.30 pm)

Can they legally require me to work for that long without me signing something? info on this subject seems hard to find! xxx

[fifi1962fifi]

Hi - can I ask? when you say your down to work 7.30am to 9.30pm.... On the next day, are you down for the same shift ie - start at 7.30am finish at 9.30pm

From what I can remember there is a Health and Safety directive that says there has to be 11 hours between each shift for rest....

Also what does your employment contract say.... what are your 'normal contracted hours'...does it ask at the end if you contract if you would be willing to work over 42 hours per week if required....the EU directive says that employees must agree to working over the 42 hours either by signature each time a working week goes over. You could have signed to agree this in your contract You are of course allowed to change your mind but you will need to write to you employer and explain that you no longer wished to work over the 42 hours if this is not part of you normal working week.

[fifi1962fifi]

apologies...... the e u directive is 48 hrs per week

[shammydodger]

This may help (and disappoint):

http://www.hse.gov.uk/contact/faqs/workingtime.htm