It’s natural to have questions about working different shifts if you’ve never worked them before. And even if you have, our shifts may be different to other places you have worked. Here are some of the most common questions we get asked that’ll help you to understand how our shift patterns might work for you.
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Will I work shift patterns from my very first day?
We know that transitioning into a new role can feel quite daunting, which is why you’ll go into one of our training classes before joining your team. Your training period will last between 3-5 weeks (depending on your role) and run Monday-Friday, between 9am-5pm. That way you can feel completely comfortable with your new role, before you start your favoured shift pattern.
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When will I know what my shift patterns will be?
We have a wide range of shift patterns that cater to the different needs of our advisors. During your training period, we’ll work with you to agree on a shift pattern that suits you best. Then, once you’ve chosen your preference, we’ll send you your selected shift pattern 6 weeks in advance.
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What do you class as an early shift?
Our standard early shift is between 8am-6pm. On this shift you’ll work your daily number of hours but your start time might vary, depending on the number of hours you work each week. If you’re ever unsure about your shift pattern, feel free to check in with your manager.
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What do you class as a late shift?
Our standard late shift is between 11am-10pm. On this shift you’ll work your daily number of hours but your start time might vary, depending on the number of hours you work each week. For more info on making your shift pattern work for you, have a chat with your manager.
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What if I decide my current shift pattern isn't working for me? Can I change it?
Before selecting your preferred shift pattern, we ask you to think very carefully about your preferences. As a result, we expect our advisors to remain on their initial shift pattern for their first 6 months with us. Not only does this approach ensure they have the stability they need to really get to grips with their role; it also helps them to build bonds with their team.
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Are there a minimum number of evenings and weekends that advisors have to work?
Our full-time employees (37.5 hours) typically work 6 Saturdays, 2 Sundays and 25 evening shifts over a 10-week period. For our part-time employees, that number will be calculated depending on the number of days worked each week. Either way, we try to ensure everyone gets their fair share of evenings and weekends off.
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What if I only want to work evenings and weekends?
We understand that not everyone wants a full-time role. Depending on which area of the business you’re in, it might be possible to choose fixed days and start times, or all evening shifts until 9pm and every Saturday, allowing you to concentrate on the other important things in your life.
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What if I want to go out with friends on a Friday or Saturday night?
We believe that everyone deserves a social life. By asking all of our people to work a proportion of our Friday and Saturday evening shifts, we can make sure each and every one of our advisors gets time to spend with their friends and family.
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What if I have an event to attend when I'm scheduled to work?
Working shifts shouldn’t mean you have to miss out on the things that are important to you. If you have an event you need to attend, you can simply arrange to swap your shift with another advisor via our swap system or book leave, if leave is available on the system.
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What if I need a fixed day off each week?
We’re a fast-paced, flexible business with demands that change from week to week. Unfortunately, that means we’re unable to offer fixed days off as standard. However, if you have a personal requirement that you can’t get round, we can review your request to see if we can accommodate it.
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What if my circumstances change?
Life is rarely straightforward. If you’ve been here 6 months and your circumstances suddenly change in a way you couldn’t have predicted, you can make a request to temporarily adapt your shift pattern until your situation is resolved. Each exceptional change of hours request is reviewed carefully by our team to ensure we can come to an agreement that works well for you and for us.
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What if I have a personal commitment that requires me to leave early once a week?
If you need to leave early once a week, it may be possible for us to make a small adjustment to your respective shift. All we ask, is that you make up the time elsewhere.
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What if I need to work my shifts around the school day?
We don’t currently offer a standardised 8.30am-3pm shift. However, there are a number of other shift options our working parents can choose to help them manage their family commitments. Check out Paul’s story about how he makes his shifts work around his parental responsibilities.
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What if I need to plan my shifts around my partner?
If you have information on your partner’s working pattern, it’s sometimes possible for us to align your shifts. All we ask is that you meet the evening, early and weekend criteria we set. Check out Faiza’s strategy for making her shifts work for her family.
