shift change and holidays

[djh0070]

I work 4 on 6 off but they are wanting to change my shift pattern the problem is i have booked a short break during my 6 days off so have not had to take any holidays to do so, but if they change my pattern i will need to take 4 days holiday, is this ok for them to do this?

[buildersmate]

Had the shift pattern been declared for the period you have planned holiday? When I did such patterns we provided at least 6 months forward schedule to staff to try and avoid this.
At the very least they must give you your notice period in advance warning of a change - have they breached that?

[djh0070]

There has been talk of them doing it for at least 5 months but they could not or would not tell us when they want us to start them so as far as i was concerned i was unable to make a judgement on wether or not i needed to book holidays and when i asked the question about using holidays i was told how can you book them if you don't know when we will start them so i book the break round my current days off

[buildersmate]

Yes, but had the shift rota been declared by the company? - or is no shift rota produced and it is left to individuals to work out when they are working and when they are not? (unlikely, I suspect).
If a rota was declared you have a reasonable case. Otherwise you will perhaps have to strike a deal. If I was personnel officer dealing with this, I would think it reasonable if the company / employee shared the net loss in days.

[djh0070]

They have told us that we will be doing 4 on 4 off but have not told us when it will startsall they have said is that it could start on a certain date (in 1 month) but it could be the followin month, so like i said i booked my short break for the pattern i am currently on,so as you can see we have no way of knowing when our days off are and when we will need holidays

[buildersmate]

I think you are just going to have to negotiate when the issue arises. You didn't say when the short break was booked for.
On a fundamental pattern shift like this I think it is fair that employers give at least 3 months notice, but there's no hard and fast rule.