Part Time v's Full Time - employment law

[annie0000]

My husband is contacted to work 30 hours per week. He started in October 06, and apart from about 3 occasions, he has worked extra hours every day and averages over 40 hours per week. He gets paid for these extra hours, but not when he is on holiday and I don't think that it counts towards his pension. He has to give advance notice if he doesn't want to work these extra hours. Is there a limit of time where because he has been working these hours, they need to give him a full time contract? I feel that they are taking advantage and being able to pick and choose when they want him. It is also looked down upon if he tells them that he doesn't want to work extra. At the end of the day, he knows that he signed a contract for 30 and wouldn't be too upset if that's what they limited his work to, but it is annoying to think that they are taking advantage.

[Buenchico]

I can't see anything illegal in the situation you describe but the ACAS helpline should be able to provide definitive advice. See under 'Where to get help', here:
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employment/Employe es/WorkingHoursAndTimeOff/DG_10028439

Chris

[annie0000]

Thanks Chris,

I had already looked at that page, I think we will need to phone up as I couldn't see anything that fits his situation. It just seems a bit off that they effectively want him to work full time and have done for the last year and a half, but want to keep him on a part time contract so that they can pay him less during his holidays and (we think) he will get a reduced pension as well. If he was to only work his contracted hours they would make life very difficult for him. They already do this if he has to make a doctors appointment - which he will try to make for a time that he technically shouldn't be working - apparantly "they don't accommodate Doctors appointments" bearing in mind he works for the health service, it is terrible!