I recently resigned from my last childcare job. I speak of this in another post that does not seem to have been posted yet (does admin have to approve it? or should i do that post again?) Looking back i am concerned that I was shortchanged in my contract though I also acknowledge this may not be the case. I worked part time as a floater being promised 32 hours a week. We were fortnightly so sometimes i could get less hours in one week but it would be made up for in the second. I was employed as a cert 3 level educator and was not employed as a student or trainee. Despite this I am doing my diploma independently. At first I was getting the hours I had signed up for (and yes, I signed the contract willingly) but after a while I decided to take an official break from my studies due to high stress levels. My hours suddenly dropped once I let my boss know. Sometimes to the extent of barely working a day a week down from 4. When I asked about the issue I was told there were shifts that could only be done by people who were at least studying toward diploma and as I had taken an official break it meant I wasn't getting these shifts. This probably was over a period of about 3 months. However, I cannot recall my contract stipulating that my hours was based on this and my pay rate did not change for the hours i did get. Can employers do this or are they obligated to give you the hours in your contract even if you take a break from studies. I should note that I was the one to pay for my course and I completed the theoretical units on my own computer with my own internet in my own home.
Can anyone help me ascertain what next steps I need to take or if missing out on hours due to taking a break from studies is normal in such a situaiton?
