Legal questions about employment contracts

Questioner

About 6 years ago I made a verbal agreement about the filling of my contract hours per week. Now my new manager wants to change this. This is much less favorable for me. Can she just change this?

Lawyer

An oral agreement is legally valid if it can be proven, In your case, the proof is the consistent filling of your hours over a long period. In principle, the employer is not free to unilaterally change your employment conditions. This may be different if the employment contract contains a 'unilateral amendment clause' and the employer simultaneously provides compelling reasons for the change. However, that is not the case. You do not have to agree to the change. I do advise you to discuss this with your employer first and, if you cannot reach an agreement, to inform him in writing (registered with acknowledgement of receipt) that you do not agree to his request.