Is it legal for my employer to reduce my working hours?

Show all answers

Post your answer

ajal	it depends are you f/t or p/t and whats mentioned in your workingcontract,under what conditions did you accept this job and how long before they explained it to you,you havent accepted it yet,I hope...If thre are any major changes and company is in BIG financial trouble then hey could have legal bearing but they should have told you and given you a choice to resign and still pay you 1 or 2 months salary...get some legal advice soon and meanwhile tell them you dont accept this reduction,ok go jobhunting also Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

doppler	Unless you have a contract that specifies the number of hours per week you are scheduled, then yes. I was chased off a job where the boss didn't like me once. She didn't want to fire me and/or couldn't find a legitimate reason so she cut me down to three hours a week. It's cowardly and shows a weak-willed manager, but it's legal. If they fire you without making a good case for it you can sue them, but if they keep you on the books they can cut your hours all they want and just hope you quit. Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

gemzalvn	If you're contracted for a certain amount then u are entitiled to work those hours otherwise yes they can Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

hr4me	In the U.S. if you are an at-will employee, and your terms of employment are not set by an employment agreement or by a union contract, they can reduce your working hours. And, it is legal. Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

focus	It is not possible to answer your question properly as you don't give enough information. Is there a contact, is overtime involved, why are your hours being reduced, are your hours being reduced to avoid you being made redundant. Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

dallas_bunny	Did you have a contract specifying you would be provided with (x) number of hours? If not, then yes, it is legal for an employer to reduce your working hours. Have you tried to talk to your employer about this? Have you been a model employee? It's been my experience that when an employer reduces hours, they're either trying to help cut costs or they're trying make you quit. Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

rlloydevans	It is, unless you have an employment contract with the company that guarantees you a certain number of hours. Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

lulu	if it's written into your contract Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

Tufty Porcupine	To reduce your working hours means terminating your current contract (which means they have to give you the notice mentioned in your contract) and offering you a new one. At this point you can challenge the decision by taking them to a tribunal for unfair dismissal. Whether the decision will be deemed to be unfair will deoend on the tribunal - the employer would have to come up with a very good reason - essentially thye would have to prove that they are in dire financial difficulties and that this is the only option they have - anything else will almost certainly be found to be unfair. If you are a member of a union then get them to deal with it now! Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

smoke_horse	yes they can do what they want if theres no union Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

jojo	yes Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

shelcom	Unless you have a contract, it sure is. You're not entitled to a certain number of hours. No work, no need to have you on payroll. Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

GAVIN E	If you have a contract, then they will have to give ou 1 week notice to every year that you have worked for them. eg.10 years service they should give you 10 weeks notice. Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

livin the dream	Yes as long as they are following policies and procedures as outlined Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

joe perkinstein	Not if you have a contract for longer hours.. Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

Mystic Magic	Hi, If you have signed a contract which states your working hours then they are still allowed too redi=uce your hours BUT there are laws relating to the proceedures which they should follow first. You should be given a 28 day written notice of this change in your hours, the letter should explain why they are cutting your hours and to when this will take effect. This also gives you 28 days inwhich to have a meeting with them to discuss this. If you have not been given this letter you should take it to your union (if you have one) or contact an employee's rights agency who can assit you. Look these up online. Its important that you check your contract. SOME places put in there contracts that they can change your hours of work without notice. You need to check yours doesnt say this. If you have not signed a contract then your employer can change your hours without notice. But you can STILL apply against it. Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

Worked	Your employment will be governed by a contract of employment, if you are an employee. If in your contract there is a provision which grants the employer the right to reduce or vary your hours (which there almost certainly is) then it is perfectly possible for the employer to do just that as business needs demand. If you do not agree with it then speak with the employer- you can always give notice of intention to resign if you are not happy. If you are a "worker", then also you will have been given a contract and whether it is legal depends on what the contract for service states. If you are an "independent contractor" (i.e. self employed), then you also need to look at the stipulations in the contract. Of course, if it isn't in the contract or any other booklet that will be incorporated into the contract, then it is a breach of contract law and you can (in the extreme) sue. Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

stewie	yes - but it has to be done by the correct procedures. Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

Flyboy	Yes it is. Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No