Employer not giving me my contracted hours

[Guest flubdub]

In September I started work in a hotel. I signed a contract saying that I am to work 20 hours a week. This has always worked fine, until a new manager started work there.

Now, whereas we always had set hours, and set days that we work, the manager has changed this to 'varied' days (which i can live with, and isnt a problem, and if the hotel isnt busy, well.....we just dont go in. Some of my weeks have been cut from 20 hours, to 10. Its different every week.

When i spoke to him about this, he said my contract hours were more of a "guideline".

Someone i work with said the contract might have something in it saying that if the hotel isnt busy, then my contract hours dont apply. But I am not sure it does have that in, a: because I havnt been given a copy of my contract, and b: Last year when the hotel was quiet, everyone had to sign a new "lower hours" contract.

This is (edited) not a small company. Any help would be great thanks.

Edited January 5, 2010 by ErikaPNP
company name removed.

[elpulpo]

1st thing, edit your post and delete the employers name. It's not relevant, and ya never know who's reading

[elpulpo]

Ok. Your employer is obliged to give you a written statement of the particulars of employment. A contract, in simple terms.

Having you sign a contract that they then hold in their possession, while you don't have a copy, is unlawful.

It's a very common trick, believe me.

It surprises me that a large employer like yours would do such a thing. Not that I've any idea who you work for, you understand;).

 

Can you remember back to when you signed the contract - did it include, somewhere near where you put your signature, a statement such as, 'I acknowledge that I have recieved a copy of this document'?

 

We'll address this first, try and get you a copy and see what it says.

[honeybee13]

Would it be a good idea to change the title of this thread from 'employee' to 'employer'. Not that I would know how to do it!

 

Sorry to be pedantic, but you might get more advice this way.

[elpulpo]

I didn't even notice HB.

Don't know if ya can. You get the jist.

[HSBCrusher]

yes it can be done ;-)