Does anyone know about employment laws?

And sorts.

In essence, i have been handed a 'memo' (which is rediculous enough for a start, i work for a plumbers merchants, not OK magazine) saying we will be having a stock take on the first weekend of August, attendance is compulsary, no exceptions.

I dont want to.

Baring in mind i normally work there 49 hours a week, and this will be an additional 12 hours, and this is in time the shop is never normally open.

Am i within my rights to just tell i dont want to?

Im sure there's all sorts of laws on compulsary overtime, and working more than a certain number of hours a week.

Not sure abou the employment law part, although I'd check my contract T's and C's if I were you.

But that is also the AR weekend.

Have a rummage here

Nice one, it seems-

If you are 18 or over and wish to work more than 48 hours a week, you can choose to opt out of the 48 hour limit. This must be voluntary and in writing. It can't be an agreement with the whole workforce and you shouldn't be sacked or unfairly treated (for example refused promotion or overtime) for refusing to sign an opt-out.

in addition to-

You should check either your contract of employment or written statement of terms and conditions to see if you must work on Sundays or would have to if you were asked. If it says so, you will have to work on Sundays. If it doesn't, then the only way of making you work on that day is by a change to your contract. This is something that must normally be agreed by both you and your employer, otherwise making you work on Sundays would amount to a breach of contract.

Means i can tell them to shove it up thier @rse

I suppose it depends also on whether you are contracted to work 49 hrs, or usually make that up with overtime.

Originally Posted by shonadoll

I suppose it depends also on whether you are contracted to work 49 hrs, or usually make that up with overtime.

Technically 9 of it is overtime. But i dont recal signing any form of contract, so i think i win.

Not really, not having a contract leaves you in a very bad position.

http://www.tuc.org.uk/tuc/rights_hours.cfm

[phi-dan]

This site has some useful stuff in it - I used it a lot when I did a mangement course
http://www.emplaw.co.uk/emplaw/emplo...-employee.aspx

[Bri w]

Check the "Working time Regulations Act 1998" Google it. If over 18 you are entitled to a 20 min break every 6hrs. An 11 hour break in every 24 hrs. A 24 hr break every 9 days(I'm a bit vague on This one). 48 hr break every two weeks, not necessarily consecutive days. The European Working Time Directive, to which the UK hasn't signed up to details that aan employee works a max of 48hrs per week but you can opt out providing both you and your employer agree. Just to cloud the issue, you can work more than 48 hrs providing it balances out over a 17 week period.

Not having a signed contract doesn't mean you are not covered by employment law, and by virtue of having worked a "set pattern" you are deemed as having a contract. However, you should ask for a copy of your Terms and Conditions, e.g. sick leave, annual leave, Company disciplinary procedures etc. Compulsory overtime; you can be asked to work due to "special circumstances" but not as a norm.

In the first instance i'd go and talk to the boss and tell him you have something on that weekend but are available any other weekend. That way you don't sound uncooperative.

Other than that, sorry mate but you're stuffed. They can ask, and you are expected to do it.

Originally Posted by Samurai Penguin

Not really, not having a contract leaves you in a very bad position.

http://www.tuc.org.uk/tuc/rights_hours.cfm

Not signing a contract doesn't hinder the employee much actually. The company will still be bound by the contract they have for other employees in a common job, the employee however is not!