When Ejiro Igho arrived in London from Lagos, she had high hopes for her new life. She had secured a job as a healthcare assistant in Kent, working flexible shifts at a nursing home, and was ready to start building her future in the UK. Everything was going well until, out of the blue, her employer started cancelling her shifts.
At first, it was one or two shifts a week. Then it became more frequent. Soon, Ejiro realized that she was being given fewer and fewer hours, leaving her financially stranded and unsure of what to do next. However, just two months into the job, something unexpected happened—her shifts were suddenly cancelled without much notice.
Shift cancellations are a common issue faced by many Nigerian workers in the UK, especially those on zero-hour contracts or working in sectors like retail, hospitality, and care. For Ejiro, like many other Nigerians working in the UK, this posed a serious financial problem. Without guaranteed shifts, her source of income became unstable. Yet, Ejiro’s story is not uncommon, and there are ways to navigate the challenge of shift cancellations in the UK. Here’s what she did, and how you can protect yourself if you find yourself in a similar situation.
Understanding Your Employment Rights
The first step Ejiro took was to understand her employment rights. Many Nigerians in the UK work in roles with zero-hour contracts or shift-based employment, especially in sectors like healthcare, retail, and hospitality. Under zero-hour contracts, your employer is not obligated to offer you any minimum hours of work, which means your shifts can be cancelled at any time.
However, Ejiro discovered that even with a zero-hour contract, she had certain rights. “At first, I felt powerless, but then I started doing my research,” she said. “I realized that although they could cancel my shifts, I was entitled to holiday pay and protection from unfair treatment.”
Pro Tip: If your shifts are cancelled, know that UK law requires employers to pay you for any work already completed, and if you show up for a shift only to have it cancelled after arrival, you may be entitled to compensation for your time, depending on the terms of your contract. Check your contract carefully and familiarize yourself with UK employment laws surrounding shift work and zero-hour contracts.
Build a Strong Relationship with Your Employer
While Ejiro initially felt discouraged by the cancellations, she quickly realized that maintaining a good relationship with her employer could help reduce the number of cancelled shifts. “I made an effort to show my commitment,” she explained. “I was always on time, I picked up extra shifts when they needed help, and I made sure to be a team player.”
Her efforts paid off. Over time, Ejiro noticed that her employer began giving her more consistent shifts. “They knew they could count on me, so even when shifts were tight, I was one of the few people they called.”
Pro Tip: If your employer is cancelling your shifts regularly, take the initiative to show your value. Being reliable, punctual, and willing to work when others might not be can make you one of the first people they call when new shifts become available.
Have a Backup Plan: The Importance of Multiple Income Streams
While Ejiro worked hard to build a solid relationship with her employer, she also realized that relying on a single job for income was risky. “The cancellations taught me an important lesson—you can’t put all your eggs in one basket,” she said.
To ensure she had some financial security, Ejiro began exploring other income opportunities. She signed up with multiple agencies that offered flexible work, such as care agencies and temping firms, to diversify her income sources. She also took advantage of online platforms like Upwork, offering freelance services based on her skills as a customer service specialist, a role she held back in Nigeria.
“I realized there are opportunities beyond just one job,” she shared. “It gave me peace of mind knowing that if one job cancelled my shifts, I had other ways to earn money.”
Pro Tip: Sign up with multiple agencies to increase your chances of getting shifts and explore side gigs or freelancing to ensure you have alternative income sources. Websites like Indeed, Reed, and Job Today can help you find new temporary opportunities that fit your schedule.
Managing Finances During Lean Periods
Ejiro’s next move was to get her finances under control. With shifts being cancelled, she knew she had to be smart about her spending. “When my shifts were cancelled, my first instinct was to panic,” she admitted. “But then I realized that I had to manage the little I had wisely.”
She began budgeting strictly, cutting down on unnecessary expenses, and setting aside any extra income for emergencies. “I created a basic budget and stuck to it,” she said. “It wasn’t easy, but it helped me avoid going into debt.”
Additionally, Ejiro took advantage of community resources available to Nigerian immigrants in the UK. She connected with local Nigerian community organizations that offered advice on managing finances, accessing benefits, and finding additional work.
Pro Tip: Develop a financial plan that accounts for periods of irregular income. Create a budget and identify areas where you can cut costs. Explore financial support services available to immigrants in the UK, and don’t be afraid to ask for advice from your community.
Know When to Move On
After several months of cancelled shifts, Ejiro reached a turning point. While she had built a solid relationship with her employer and picked up extra work through other agencies, she realized that she needed to move on for more stable employment.
She started applying for jobs that offered guaranteed hours, seeking roles in larger care homes, hospitals, and even office-based jobs that aligned with her customer service experience. “It wasn’t easy to leave, but I needed something more stable,” she said.
Eventually, she landed a full-time role with a major care agency that guaranteed a set number of hours each week. “It was a huge relief,” Ejiro said. “No more uncertainty.”
Pro Tip: If you find that your employer is constantly cancelling your shifts and there’s little room for improvement, consider looking for more stable opportunities. Full-time positions with guaranteed hours might be more competitive, but they can provide the security you need.
Conclusion
Japastreeters, for Nigerians like Ejiro Igho, navigating shift cancellations in the UK can be a stressful experience. However, by understanding your rights, building a good relationship with your employer, having backup income sources, managing your finances, and knowing when to move on, you can protect yourself from the financial instability caused by unpredictable shifts.
Remember, it’s crucial to remain proactive and resilient in the face of these challenges. By taking these steps, you can gain control over your situation and build a more stable, secure future in the UK.
