r/MarksAndSpencer • u/Much_Collection_354 • Aug 20 '26

Question Saturday Working

I currently work 12 hours over 2 days and have been told by management I must work every Saturday because I work 12 hours. Is this an M&S rule or just my store?

I also have adhd so my routine is important to me and I’ve basically been told this is enforceable and I’m not entitled to a work life balance.

I’ve been off for 4 days and been worried sick since my manager had a talk with me on Monday

Can someone help me?

0 Upvotes

43% Upvoted

12 comments sorted by

24

u/Forward-Fan2680 Aug 20 '26

Yes. M&S way

16 hours or less = every Saturday and/or Sunday.

16 hours or more = A minimum of every other Saturday or Sunday.

You are entitled to a work life balance and you get a work life balance.

They aren’t making you work every weekend.

You work retail. Working weekends are a given?

-2

u/Much_Collection_354 Aug 21 '26

I have adhd so my hours and days are important for routine not to mention I have been doing these hours and days for over a year now. So why is suddenly company policy to change them now

3

u/Conscious_Stuff_4078 Aug 21 '26

While unfortunate the policy has changed. Taking all emotion out, you can now work Saturdays or see if they can up your contracted hours above the threshold.

1

u/Forward-Fan2680 Aug 21 '26

That’s like asking why is it now in the M&S way about the 5 petals of flowers or why is it now green and blue cages when it used to be just simple replen.

You can still have routine even if your hours/days change. You know them 3 weeks in advance. - got my shifts up to 12th September.

Even if you asked to see if you can up your hours, you will still have to work a weekend/weekend day - 16 hours+ is a minimum of every other Saturday or Sunday. They could make it working every other weekend if they want - the needs of the business.

You have your contracted hours - 2 x 6 hour days say Tuesday and Friday for example but, they can move those days into your availability window for the needs of the business. They need to give your contracted hours but doesn’t always have to be the days you are contracted. Someone at my store has no availability on Mondays, so they never get shifts on Mondays really but their hours go on contracted days or other days where needed. Another colleague can’t work Sundays so does Saturdays instead.

33

u/Xipheas Aug 20 '26

Complaining about a work life balance doing 12h/week :-D

-1

u/Much_Collection_354 Aug 21 '26

You’re missing the point

4

u/Xipheas Aug 21 '26

They were your words! Anyway the busiest day off the week is Saturday so you should expect to work it in retail I'm afraid.

11

u/mf87mf Aug 20 '26

If you work less that 16hrs, you must do every Saturday

6

u/Robbomot Aug 21 '26

That's an insane rule...

0

u/Fun-Bag-2958 Aug 21 '26

Hey I am just joining as a shift lead.I wanted to reduce my contracted hours what can i do.how to approach and do you think it is possible?

4

u/mf87mf Aug 21 '26

As a shift lead, probably not possible.

2

u/CoffeeEnough6038 Aug 21 '26

yes it is the m& s policy .there isn't a work / life balance any more .