Is there any reason you can’t do the new shifts? As long as you are not reliant on your ex for childcare if there is an issue and you have a back up? I would politely explain that by moving your shifts that creates a potential additional cost for childcare (if your Ex can’t do that day anymore - what if he gets a job?) - so you need to look at what childcare costs would be. Have you got a union? It does seem discriminatory to a single parent to change your hours to something that if you have to pay for any childcare, it may leave you with not much left for your working hours. Can they change the shifts subject to it not costing you for childcare, but if your ex changes his hours due to work requirements - will they allow you to return to the original shift pattern so you can afford to work?

Ok but what do i say to my boss in the morning? She basically told me that from Sept they cannot facilitate my set shift pattern of 2 morning shift, particularly Mondays as it\'s hard to cover the afternoon. So basically they want me to do an afternoon shift instead, on the Monday otherwise my 2 options are 0 hrs contract as Bank staff or redeploiment. None are an option for me. Basically, as my ex has our child on Mondays anyway as per current agreement and overnight, i could physically change from morning shift to afternoon shift from end of Sept onwards. The child arrangements will be the same. What shall i do? Thanks

Best option is to ensure you are covered for childcare in case you Ex let’s you down so your job is not at risk. Don’t change anything agreed with you ex - just keep it simple. Push forwards for the Consent Order.