It is not uncommon for employers to reconsider the contract of the employees when they are working with you. It may include reconsidering the employees’ working hours as well. The employer might want to reconsider the employees’ working hours that are still working with them. But, is it allowed? Or is it illegal in the UK? Want to know more about it? Keep reading then.
Can Employers Reduce Employees Hours In The UK?
It is not uncommon for employers to reconsider the working hours of the employees. They might want to reduce it as well. While many people think that it is illegal to reduce employees’ hours in the UK, this is not the case. As long as there is a justified reason to reduce the employees’ working hours, it is completely legal to do so. But, make sure that the employees are informed of the change that you intend to make.
Not only this, but it will be your duty as an employer to gain their approval for the new working hours set for them. Once you have discussed the terms with your employee, you can write them down in the contract. So, it is completely legal to reduce the employees’ working hours in the UK. But, you will have to send proper notice to the employee whose working hours you are reducing.
How To Reduce Employee Hours?
Being a business owner and reducing the working hours of the employees anywhere is a sensitive issue and needs to be addressed properly. There is a procedure involved that you will have to follow. If you do not follow the procedure properly or reduce the employees’ hours incorrectly, you may be subjected to breach of contract. The employee might even sue you for breach of contract and discrimination. This is why you must follow all the necessary procedures that are required to reduce the working hours of the employees.
The most important thing that you need to do is address the employees that are being affected by the decision. You need to let them know the reason for the reduction in the working hours. These reasons can be anything. But, make sure that you address them properly to your employees.
The next thing that you should do is to inform the employees how you have decided to reduce their working hours. You can reduce the working hours of the employees in a lot of ways. But, you need to discuss it with them first. Another important thing is to discuss new proposed hours with the employees and any pay if applicable.
Make sure that you provide all the affected employees with advance notice about the reduction in their working hours. Once you have discussed the new terms with them, then you can have them written down in the new contract.
So, it is not illegal to reduce employee hours in the UK. But, it is your duty as an employer to send a notice to your employees about the change in working hours and discuss the new terms with them as well. Otherwise, your employees may sue you for breach of contract and discrimination.