WORKPLACE ANSWER
Can my employer change my working hours?
What Can I Do If I Don't Agree With the Change?
Understand when your employer may be able to change your working hours, what your contract means, and what you can do if you disagree with the proposed change.
Quick Answer
If you disagree with a proposed change to your working hours, don't simply ignore it. Ask your employer to explain exactly what is being proposed, why the change is needed, when it would start and whether it would be temporary or permanent.
Check your employment contract and ask which clause, agreement or other basis your employer believes allows the change. If you disagree, explain your reasons clearly and describe how the proposed hours would affect you.
You can also suggest alternatives or a compromise. For example, you could ask whether the change could be modified, delayed, introduced temporarily or adjusted in another way that addresses both your concerns and your employer's needs.
Keep copies of relevant emails, letters and other communications about the proposed change. If you want to raise your concerns more formally, you may also find the WorkAnswers page "How do I raise a concern at work?" useful.
If your employer says it will impose a contractual change despite your objection, or suggests ending your existing contract if you do not agree, consider getting advice promptly before deciding what to do.
Your contract may contain a flexibility or variation clause allowing certain changes, but that does not normally give your employer unlimited freedom to change your hours. A flexibility clause should be used reasonably, with appropriate consultation and reasonable notice.
Start With Your Employment Contract
Your working hours can form part of your contractual terms. Check your employment contract or written terms for your contracted weekly hours, normal working days, start and finish times where specified, any shift or rota arrangements, any flexibility or variation clauses, and any relevant collective agreement or other agreed terms. Not every change to the way you work necessarily changes your employment contract. The first question is whether your employer is proposing to change an agreed contractual term or changing something that the existing contract already allows to vary.
What Is a Flexibility or Variation Clause?
Employers may propose changes to working hours for a number of reasons, including:
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Changes in business needs or opening hours
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Staffing or operational problems
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A change in your role or responsibilities
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Restructuring or changes to the way work is organised
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A request to change shifts or working patterns
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Changes that affect a wider group of employees
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The reason for the proposed change can help you understand the situation and decide what questions to ask.
Should My Employer Consult Me About the Change?
Where your employer is proposing changes to contractual terms, consultation should be a genuine opportunity to discuss the proposal. Consultation should help you understand exactly what is changing, why your employer is proposing it, when they want the change to start, whether it is temporary or permanent, how you will be affected, whether alternatives have been considered, and whether another arrangement or compromise might be possible. Consultation should allow you to raise questions, concerns and possible alternatives.
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Consultation does not automatically mean you can veto every proposed change, but it also does not mean your employer can consult and then automatically impose any change regardless of the contract or circumstances.
What If I've Worked the Same Hours for a Long Time?
The original written contract is not always the only information that may be relevant. Working arrangements can sometimes develop through later agreement or, in some circumstances, through established custom and practice. A long-standing working arrangement may be relevant, but working the same hours for a particular period does not automatically mean those hours have become a contractual term. Whether an arrangement forms part of your employment contract depends on the circumstances. Consider how long the arrangement has existed, whether it has been consistently followed, whether it was clearly agreed, whether your employer has previously treated it as fixed, and what your written contract says.
What If the Change Affects Me Personally?
You should tell your employer specifically how a proposed change would affect you. Depending on your situation, this might include childcare responsibilities, caring responsibilities, disability or health, travel arrangements, another job, study or education, religious commitments, or another significant practical or financial impact.
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Your employer cannot properly understand the impact or consider possible alternatives if you do not explain the difficulty. In some circumstances, additional employment rights may be relevant, for example where disability, discrimination or reasonable adjustments may be involved.
Things To Think About
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What does my contract say about my normal hours, days or shifts?
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Does it contain a flexibility or variation clause?
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Exactly what is my employer proposing to change?
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Is the change temporary or permanent?
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When does my employer want the change to start?
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Why is the change being proposed?
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How would the change affect my childcare, caring responsibilities, health, travel or other commitments?
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Have I worked the same pattern for a long time?
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Has my employer asked for my views and considered alternatives?
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What outcome or compromise would work for me?
What Can I Do If I Don't Agree With the Change?
If you disagree with a proposed change to your working hours, don't simply ignore it. Ask your employer to explain exactly what is being proposed, why the change is needed, when it would start and whether it is intended to be temporary or permanent.
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Check your employment contract and any relevant workplace policies. If your employer says your contract allows them to make the change, ask which clause, agreement or other basis they believe allows it and how it applies to the change being proposed.
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Explain clearly why you disagree and how the change would affect you. This might include childcare or caring responsibilities, your health, travel arrangements, another job or other significant practical commitments.
You can also suggest alternatives or a compromise. For example, you could ask whether the change could be modified, delayed, introduced temporarily or adjusted in another way that addresses both your concerns and your employer's needs.
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Keep copies of relevant emails, letters and other communications about the proposed change. If informal discussions do not resolve the issue, you may also want to consider raising your concerns more formally.
If your employer says it will impose a contractual change despite your objection, or suggests ending your existing contract if you do not agree, consider getting advice promptly before deciding what to do.
What If I Agree to the Change?
This is a different situation from your employer proposing to change your working hours. If you want to change your own working pattern, you can discuss an informal change with your employer or you may be able to make a statutory flexible working request. If disability is relevant, a request for a reasonable adjustment may also need to be considered.
The statutory right to request flexible working is a right to ask for a change, not an automatic right to have the working pattern you request approved.
For more information about requesting your own change, see the relevant WorkAnswers flexible-working Answer.
What If I Want to Change My Own Hours?
Before agreeing to a change, make sure you understand exactly what will change, when it will take effect and whether the new arrangement is temporary or permanent. Check whether your pay or any other contractual terms will also be affected.
If you agree to a change to your main employment terms, your employer should put the change in writing. Check that the written confirmation matches what you actually agreed.
What Usually Happens Next
Typically, your employer proposes the change and explains what it wants to change. You check your contract and make sure you understand the proposal. You and your employer then discuss the change, including any concerns about how it would affect you and whether there are alternatives or possible compromises.
If you still disagree and your employer intends to proceed with the change, you may need further discussion or advice before deciding how to respond.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my employer change my working hours without asking me?
This depends on your employment contract and the circumstances. Some contracts allow certain working arrangements to vary, but significant contractual changes will often require consultation and may require agreement. Your employer should not assume it has unrestricted authority to change your hours.
Does a flexibility clause mean my employer can change my hours whenever they want?
No. The wording and scope of the clause matter, and flexibility clauses should be used reasonably. Your employer should consider the circumstances, consult with you and give reasonable notice where appropriate.
What if I've worked the same hours for years?
A long-standing working arrangement may be relevant, including through later agreement or custom and practice. However, an arrangement does not automatically become contractual simply because it has existed for a particular length of time. The circumstances and what your contract says will matter.
What can I do if I don't agree with the new hours?
Check your contract, ask your employer to explain the basis for the change and explain why you object and how the new hours would affect you. You can also discuss alternatives or possible compromises. If your employer intends to impose a contractual change despite your objection, consider getting further advice promptly before deciding what to do.
Can I ask to change my own working hours?
Yes. You can discuss a change with your employer and may be able to make a statutory flexible working request. This is different from your employer proposing to change your hours. The statutory right is a right to request a change rather than an automatic right to have your requested working pattern approved.
Related WorkAnswers
Understand what to check in your contract if you're unsure what your working-hours terms mean.
Understand your options if you want to raise concerns about a proposed workplace change.
Understand how to request a change to your own working pattern when you need different hours or arrangements.
Related Templates
A structured template to help you ask your employer for clarification about a proposed change to your working hours.
Important: WorkAnswers provides general workplace information for UK employees. It is not legal advice and does not replace advice from a qualified professional. Workplace situations can depend on individual circumstances.
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