Forced Overtime

[jonny707]

I work 40 hours a week at a job I hate, but it was the only one that I could find at the time and I need the money. I got this job through an agency, and when asked if I wanted to work weekends, I specifically said no. This all sounds fairly reasonable up to now.

Yesterday, I was told by my manager that I have to do at least 8 hours overtime on Saturday nights now, otherwise I will be losing my job, I don't believe this is morally right, but what I want to know is if anyone knows if this is legal, and if not what could I do about it?

I have done a google search and most of what i could find was American, I thank anyone in advance for responses, I have to leave for work now, so I will be back tomorrow.

[zzxxee]

first of all if you have signed a contract look at your copy and go through the small print...

[Buenchico]

Start here:
http://www.direct.gov...ndTimeOff/DG_10028439

Chris

[DC_FC]

How long have you been where you are, if less than a year if you refuse then you might be on sticky ground, if longer than a year then i believe its a different story

[dotty.]

When you started with the firm you should have had an induction pack that would have contained an opting out form for unsocial hours, if you didn;t they cannot 'force' you to do a shift outside of your contracted hours

[buildersmate]

Tripe. Define 'unsocial hours'.
The Opt-out you refer to is from the Working Time Regulations, which has little to do with unsocial hours but everything to do with the maximum number of hours worked (48 maximum over a period of time).
The correct answer was already contained with Chris' helpful link above.