Advice please

cazziebo

The working rime regulations apply to all workers (with very very few exceptions) and these are the laws that cover holiday pay.

Workers on zero hours contracts are still eligible for holiday pay. This is normally worked out on the average working hours from the previous 12 weeks.

I no longer work in HR directly, but I remember it was deemed illegal to pay holiday pay as part of an hourly rate, because the WTR stated workers must get paid leave, but I believe there has been a rule since then which allows rolled up holiday pay in certain situations.

Someone with more up to date info will be along with good advice.

(And I do agree, care workers are disgustingly under-valued. I can't think of any other industries where workers are not paid for such significant parts of their working day. It's not the private companies' fault - it's the councils who stipulate this to the private providers.)

honeyD

CHARDONNAY wrote: »

I really sympathise with you - I too have suffered with depression & anxiety, so I understand it can be very difficult to hold down a job (I'm currently claiming JSA as I left last job due to ill health)

I think you should be proud of yourself for getting this job & for having the courage to speak to your employer about your hours, as I know depression can seriously knock your confidence & self esteem.

If you are on a 0 hour contract, you have no obligation to do all these extra hours & if, as you've said, they aren't asking anymore, they might finally have gotten the hint that you aren't able to work all hours of the day & night.

Unfortunately, staff in care jobs are drastically underpaid & overworked, with private companies taking advantage of their workers ( 0 hr contract is a sign of this - if you're regularly working close to full time hours a fair employer who respected their staff would give you hol pay etc)

I have a sister, Auntie & a couple of friends who do this kind of work & all are treated appalling (except my auntie who works for the council) No-one should have to live their lives, afraid to answer their own phone, it's just not fair & it will exacerbate your condition.

Explain that you can't cope, insist that you have no option but to reduce your hours, as it's affecting your health, then see your doctor as it's best to get help early if you feel a relapse coming on.

Try to be strong & put yourself (& your health 1st) - I know it's not easy, but if you don't stand up to these employers, they'll continue to treat you unfairly.

Thankyou for replying.
What I mean by "theyre not asking" its not that, they are phoning to give me more work but putting it in such a way that it is no longer a question, it needs doing so do it kind of thing.
I think they are going to wait until they rehire before cutting my hours but I dont feel I can wait that long. Im already trying to lower the hours myself by spending less time at places but I dont feel this is fair the the client or me, Im still doing as many visits but just not as long, still travelling the same distances though.

CHARDONNAY_3

Hi HoneyD, how are you feeling today? If you really feel you can't cope, then I would advise you to see your Dr asap. In my last job, I felt like I couldn't cope for a couple of months, by the time I went to see my Dr I was in such a state, really wish I'd gone earlier.

teabelly

Get caller display on your home phone. If it's them don't answer. Or just turn off the ringer.... can you set your mobile only rings for certain contacts ie people you want to hear from an no-one else. If you don't answer then they can't bother you! They shouldn't be ringing your husband if they don't get an answer from you. He should tell them they must not call him unless an emergency with you. Not that they can't get hold of you. If they persist then he should just hang up on them until they get the message.

How many days a week do you want to work? If you decide say you only want 3 days then just repeat to them you're only working 3 days, which days they are, so there is no point putting you down for other days. Or if you prefer you say you are only going to do X visits per day and no more.

Oh and when you ring them up do it standing up. For some reason standing up makes you more confident and more likely to hold your ground when you're on the phone.

You don't have to let them treat you like this.

honeyD

teabelly wrote: »

Get caller display on your home phone. If it's them don't answer. Or just turn off the ringer.... can you set your mobile only rings for certain contacts ie people you want to hear from an no-one else. If you don't answer then they can't bother you! They shouldn't be ringing your husband if they don't get an answer from you. He should tell them they must not call him unless an emergency with you. Not that they can't get hold of you. If they persist then he should just hang up on them until they get the message.

How many days a week do you want to work? If you decide say you only want 3 days then just repeat to them you're only working 3 days, which days they are, so there is no point putting you down for other days. Or if you prefer you say you are only going to do X visits per day and no more.

Oh and when you ring them up do it standing up. For some reason standing up makes you more confident and more likely to hold your ground when you're on the phone.

You don't have to let them treat you like this.

Thankyou that is all good advice. I have a lot of stressful things going on at the minute which just adds to it all so its not helping. I have less than 30 hours next week but I am sure they will try and add more in the end. Theyve also set me up for long distances at stupid times like 7am which takes half hour to get there since I dont drive but I am not letting it get to me right now.