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Laurasourus

Hi all!

So context first, I've just been offered a part time job with an 8hr contract which I was really excited by. However as with a lot of 8hr contracts I assumed the shifts would be 2x4hr shifts. I explained to the manager that I was a full-time university student but it was all online and therefore I had flexibility on when I could work which she assumed meant I could work more hours than just the contracted 8.

During my application and interview I decided not to mention my disability (fibromyalgia) as I thought it wouldn't be an issue with only 8hrs a week. However, yesterday she sent out the rota for the next 4 weeks and I noticed I was scheduled for 14-15+hrs a week and sometimes 8+hrs a shift. I then messaged her to explain that this wouldn't work for me as I thought I would only be working the contracted 8 but I could do 10hrs max. When she asked why I couldn't do more hours and why I can't do full day shifts I explained my university studies and that I have fibromyalgia which would make long hours difficult for me to do and she wondered why I hadn't mentioned it until now.

I guess my question is, am I in the wrong for not disclosing my disability sooner and for fighting for myself or is this just a misunderstanding between two parties (ie I assumed 2x4hr shifts and she assumed I was able to work more than 8hrs a week)?

I have my first shift tomorrow where we are going to discuss it but I'm hoping for some words of advice and encouragement to get me through it as I'm super anxious as it's my first job in a very long time and one I would like to keep

Rosie_Scope

Hi @Laurasourus, welcome to the community. It's difficult to say for certain, but it sounds to me like there might have been a bit of a misunderstanding from both sides.

It's up to you if or when you'd like to disclose your disability to an employer. Scope have a page about it that might be useful to you, it also covers reasonable adjustments at work:

Disclosing disability to an employer | Disability charity Scope UK

Have you received a copy of your contract yet? It's worth checking what's written in it about working hours and what you'd be expected to do. While I'm by no means an expert on these matters, as far as I'm aware if you're on an 8 hour contract you should usually be able to turn down work that goes over that. But it's best to check the contract to see whether it's mentioned there.

If you feel like you'd benefit from some advice about the situation, ACAS might be able to let you know what your rights are:

Acas | Making working life better for everyone in Britain

Hope the meeting goes okay tomorrow and that you can find a solution ☺️