can an employer just change the hours/days you work without any notice

[medusa49]

i work in a care home, the new manager as put up a new rota,today,taking effect from the 5th january,changing a lot of shifts, some to that of working 7 days per week, or 60 hours per week on nights, do they not have to give notice of any changes

[factor-fiction]

Someone like buildersmate should be able to advise. It may depend on the terms of the contract but if this is a change to the terms or a variation from custom and practice I would have thought they would have to give notice. The amount of notice should be the same as the notice period they have to give for ending the contract.

How long have you worked there?- if you are new you run the risk thay they could dismiss you if you kick up a fuss

[dot.hawkes]

If it is for the needs of the business they can change anything about your hours or your contract as long as they give you notice about it. I think also over 42 or 43 houirs per week you should be paid at an overtime rate.

[buildersmate]

The situation is pretty much as Factor describes above.
The amount of notice to be given depends on your notice period which is one week for each complete year worked (statutory notice position) or longer than that if it is stipulated in your contract to be longer.
The business about night working is more complicated and the Working Time Directive is important here. Look at this - the bullet points down a bit explain in the gist of the WTD.
http://www.berr.gov.uk/whatwedo/employment/emp loyment-legislation/working-time-regs/
What this simple WTD explanation doesn't explain is enough of the detail of what the 8 hours limit on average night work means. if you explain a bit more about the shift pattern, one of us can check it out for you.

[medusa49]

ive worked for the company for 3 yrs on a regular shift pattern

[sheribee]

Care homes take the p***s out of care workers, and we do the work coz we feel we have to coz we care, unlike the owners!
I really feel for you, i have been a team leader for 7 years, and done 20 hour shifts coz there was nobody else to take over! I never was thanked!
you only need to do the hours you are contracted for, so check your contract asap, you cant work 7 days! Thats putting your health and that of the service users at risk! Stand your ground, and dont let the managers walk all over you!
Remember, care workers are the ones who get the job done, without us the managers would have to get their hands dirty... god forbid!!!!
I hope you get this sorted, and work the right hours, not what is dictated to you xx

[bednobs]

of course you can work 7 days in a row -nurses and doctors regularly work 10 day stretches in hospital

[buildersmate]

There are particular rules that apply to some hospital professionals under the WTD, bednobs. I don't think these apply to care home workers.