Paying per hour and changing work hours

Q: We at a school employ teachers who are paid per hour. Working hours are fixed by the administration. Can their working hours be reduced in the next year without their consent. E.g. a teacher started work in 2018 and he was given 4 hrs teaching. 50 rands a hour (2hrs in the morning and 2 hrs in the afternoon.

1. In 2019 can we reduce his working hrs to 3hrs a day without his consent. In other words his work and salary will be reduced.

2. Can we impose on him to teach more hrs e.g. 5 hrs and pay him accordingly.

A:

1. You may enter into a new agreement so that he knows that this will be the new employment structure.

2. As explained, enter into a new contract so that he may know what he will receive and what he needs to give before the actual employment commences.

And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.

 

Answered by:

Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)