Employing part-time workers

At some point, you may want to change the hours a worker works perhaps as a result of changing business needs or demands.

Can an employer change an employee's working hours?

A change to a worker's working hours amounts to a change to their terms and conditions of employment. As such, you need the worker to agree to any changes. See change an employee's terms of employment.

Requesting a change to working hours

Before requesting a change to a worker's working hours, you should look at the individual circumstances of the worker. For example, a change from part-time to full-time work may affect their care arrangements, while a reduction in hours may cause them financial problems.

You should notify the worker of your proposed changes to their working hours as soon as possible and explain to them why these alterations are necessary. If you do this, they may be more willing to consider and agree to your plans.

You should then consult with the worker and/or their representatives, eg trade union representatives or representatives of any relevant information and consultation forum, to reach an agreement. See inform and consult your employees.

Worker refuses the change to working hours

If the worker refuses to agree to your proposed change in hours, you could terminate the whole contract and offer employment on the revised terms.

However, this amounts to a dismissal - and could potentially be unfair. Therefore, you need to:

• follow a fair and reasonable procedure when dismissing the worker with appropriate notice, prior to the start date of the new contract - see dismissing employees
• terminate the contract by giving the worker proper notice - see issue the correct periods of notice