Terms and conditions of new job

Leothecat

Hi there,
I hope that you can give me your views on this. I was recently made redundant after 13 years from a firm that offered excellent terms and conditions. I have found a new job pretty quickly (totally different to what I am used to) and started on Monday. I was handed the contract to read over and sign when I started. According to the contract, I get no sick pay (not good), 20 days holidays (also rubbish) and the statutory days. The contract does however state that because of the nature of the business, it may be required that I work statutory days. The business is a private nursing home - I am neither a care worker nor a nurse - I am the Activities Coordinator.
I asked the Manager if I was required to work on Monday as this is May Day. She said yes and that I would be paid time and a half. I did not think much of this until later when speaking to a colleague who asked what I thought of the holiday situation. He explained that I am entitled to all the stat days but if I normally work on any of the days on which these fall, I shall be expected to work it and receive time and a half or double time. (I work PT - Mon to Fri am).
Now, if I want to take one of the stat days off - as I am supposedly entitled to, I have to take this day out of my 20 days annual leave.
I understand that some businesses do have the requirement for people to work on these days but surely they are entitled to the time back in leiu? My job is not one that is required to be there every day so how can they force me to work on these stat days? I am really peeved off about this!
Also, I work 4 hours a day - 10am - 2pm. I was told by the manager that I am entitled to a 15 min break but this would not be a paid break and I have to stay until 2.15pm in order to receive this. She said that I am not allowed to just not have a break.
Is this legal? After working under such great conditions for so long, I am shocked that employers are allowed to get away with this.
I am quite lucky in that my husband has a reasonable job and I am also self employeed so am not heavily reliant on this job however, I do like the job itself just not the terms that go with it.
Any advice very gratefully received.
Thanks!

ohreally

Leothecat wrote:

According to the contract...20 days holidays (also rubbish) and the statutory days..........Now, if I want to take one of the stat days off - as I am supposedly entitled to, I have to take this day out of my 20 days annual leave.

Can you clarify, is your a/l entitlement 20 days plus or including stats?

mad

Hi Leothecat

Are you a union member, maybe not? You will be entitled to join one and they could assist you with all these questions. It might be woth having a look at 'rights at work' I have attached the page from ACAS

http://www.acas.org.uk/index.aspx?articleid=341

Hope this helps a bit

CIS

If the contract states 20 days + bank holidays, then the employer must allow you alternative holidays , if you are required to work a day that is stated specifically as a holiday (ie bank holidays).

Leothecat

Am going to study the contract very closely to see how it is worded.
Thanks for your replies.