Enough_Step2795's journey

I've been working at my current job for quite some time now, initially starting as a part-time employee, which was perfect for balancing my responsibilities as a parent. However, over the last year, my hours have shifted to full-time, and it's been incredibly challenging for me to manage work and my kids. I can't even recall the last time I picked up my youngest from school because I'm always working late, and their dad has to step in to take care of them. I've been requesting to revert to my original part-time hours for about six months, but nothing has changed. I just received my new schedule, and it shows I'm expected to work over 38 hours a week, which is overwhelming. I've started looking for other job opportunities and have been applying, but the job market is tough right now, and I feel stuck. I’m wondering if my employer can legally require me to work these hours when I originally signed a part-time contract. I’ve heard that if they’re a reasonable employer, they might allow me to return to part-time hours, but I’m unsure how to approach this situation. I think I need to have a meeting with my manager to discuss my options.