single parent rights at work

[bobby atkin]

Iam a divorced single parent with a 5year old i try to juggle work and parenting i work in a shop and i am trying to get away from weekend work to spend more time with my son but they keep pushing more hours onto me and get stroppy if i say no they never ask the older married ones .Does anyone know where i stand about refusing to work i cannot afford to lose my job and it is making me ill with worry.

[luc]

if you have a permenant contract with this company which states how many hours you are required to do, as long as you fullfil that they cannot make you do any extra. try contacting usdaw for advice, they are the union who represent shop workers, and from my experience they are sympathetic to single mums.

[SGKelloe32]

There are new procedures which mean all companies must be as flexible as possible for people with families, they can't force you to do any extra hours and they should be able to fit your hours around your commitments. For further advice, visit your citizens advice bureau as well.

[JB]

Check your contract - if your are working annualised hours then they can dictate when you work (subject to a maximum number of hours per week) If not, you are entitled to request number of hours/what hours you work, but this is subject to business needs. This needs to be done formally though, as under (fairly) new government legislation, your employers are obliged to consider your request and respond in writing.

[JB]

Just as an after thought though, your status as a single parent does not give you any more 'rights' than a married person. A person's right to a family life is regardless of marital status. Also alot of companies regard a single, childless persons 'rights' equally (without legislation prompting it)- it could be seen as discriminatory otherwise.