Hours cut to make a postion for new employee

Hi,
I have a question hopefully someone can answer.
I have been working in a job for three years.
2 years part time, 14 months full time.
14 months ago a full time staff member left to go travelling South America with his girl friend. The impression he gave was he wasnt coming back to work here. When he left I picked up the extra hours and was full time.
So for the past 14 months I have been doing full time hours.
He came back last week and asked the boss for his full time position back.
I was never given a contract when I started and I have not ever been given a contract.
I have been asked to move back to my part time position which I cannot as I am supporting my unemployed girlfriend.

Can my employeer force me to go back to my part time position.
To give a old staff member who went on a holiday for 14 months this full time position back.

Any advice would be great as I am under pressure from my employer to agree to this, which I cant.

Simon

hmmm.. but can you afford to lose the job completely?

Your employer is breaking the law by not providing a written contract. Have you requested one?

It's hard... if you force your employer to observe the law and grant you all your rights it will likely leave a bad taste in his mouth, and so that is bad for you. On the other hand, if you cave in then you may not have enough to live on, which isn't ideal either...

Your employer should tell the holiday guy to come back part time..

Do you think your employer would prefer to have you or him full time?

Simon82

Hi Simon82, The fact that you do not have a contract is not relivent. If you have been employed in a position for ' one year and one day' then that is your un-written contract of employment. You have to be firm with your employer. Is this other fellow perhaps a relative of the boss !.

Hi Guys,
Thanks for your reply. I have written a letter explaining my situation to my boss. So hopefully he will consider my situation.

Joe:
”hmmm.. but can you afford to lose the job completely?”

When money get scarce like these days, I suppose employment rights are out the door. But as you said better to be in a job then made redundant.

I think the holiday guy is bluffing a bit. He should be happy to be coming back to a job .
Thanks for the reply guys.

Simon