Im bogged under here, where do I start?

dearme

My grievence was addressed and investigated, I was told I could not recieve calls at work,it was school about my son and they would not allow me to leave to be with him as there was nobody to cover my shift. I had to go to docs for sicknote to take time off to be with my son. a friend took my sicknote to work for me as I couldnt take my son and my boss had a tantrum and threw things in anger, laughed at my sicknote, told other members what "a waste of space" I was! The sicknote said stress related illness and my doc is very against his behaviour and understands that greivence procedures can take weeks to resolve. He even suggested that I do not return there as it is not suitable for me. The outcome of meeting and interviewing other members of staff was really dissapointing as it seems that they all take his side and blame the medication he is on for his temper. I feel that it would be a very uncomfortable environment to work in. I have asked to go back to work part time and when another manager is on duty (which I have done many times previously). I also asked the manager to revise the "no personal calls" policy. And yes of course I am looking for another job but no luck so far (my confidence is rock bottom at the moment).

tallyhoh

Have you checked your benefit entitlement? your income seems low.

Try entitledto.co.uk for a quick check

dearme

Ok spent all morning here and finding it very helpful. Turns out I have more than financial problems! what to do about work? thinking maybe I should hand in my notice as it really is stressful to think about going back there. I have just found out that when you get a summons for court there should be paper work to fill in and send before the hearing....I can not place these I dont remember having recieved them and my hearing is wednesday. Im beginning to panic now. Do you think the CAB will be able to help? I called them when I first got the letter saying that the council were to take me to court and they just said did I know anyone who I could borrow the money from (friends family) and invited me to a meeting for those in debt (cant do group meetings i get too embarrassed). Im a little confused as to what to do now. I have just done the benefit checker and i am not entitled to anything else. The reason why my rent and c.tax are so behind is because when i started work i got tax credits and filled in the housing benefit forms etc. They took ages to sort out and I went in to tell them my circumstances had changed (bieng sick and on ssp). Now I have been told that my employers did not give them relevant information (1st day of sickness and amount) and the claim is invalid. Any suggestions greatly recieved thank you.

dancingfairy

Gosh - what a nightmare. I am sorry CAB won't much help - fancy telling you to borrow the money off people.
I would try Shelter with regard to the housing situation and maybe National Debtline - give them a ring - I'm sure they will be more helpful.
Also I wonder if you might be eligible for some legal help re the employment situation - especially if they have failed to provide benefits the information you need and are almost pushing you into constructive dismissal. I think there is a scheme called CLS? where people can get help or maybe you have a legal centre? or maybe you could get a free half hour with a solicitor? Hopefully some people will have more ideas.
Hopefully Shelter and National Debtline will help with either stopping the court process (if you have time) or help you with going and stating your situation to the judge.
Best of Luck
df

Hannah_10

dancingfairy wrote: »

Also I wonder if you might be eligible for some legal help re the employment situation - especially if they have failed to provide benefits the information you need and are almost pushing you into constructive dismissal. I think there is a scheme called CLS? where people can get help or maybe you have a legal centre? or maybe you could get a free half hour with a solicitor? Hopefully some people will have more ideas.

Ring these people. They're funded via the legal aid system (which you'll qualify for) and your problems are right in the middle of the spectrum of what they do.

http://www.communitylegaladvice.org.uk/

Siamese

dearme,

I very rarely post here and I've never actually been to court but wanted to log in and offer some moral support.
You obviously feel that you are in an impossible position. you are stressed about the court and you can't see a way out.
Firstly, do turn up at the hearing.
Take your SOA - the one you posted on here - and take a couple of extra copies.
If you get the chance, explain that the situation has arisen because of illness (could you get a docs letter?)
Explain that you are taking advice on reducing your outgoings and getting back to work.
If possible, get the hearing postponed or reconvened at a later date, so you can get to grips with your finances. It would be better to go back at a later date when you have cut your outgoings and can offer a proposal to pay back the rent. If you saved a hundred and fifty quid a month (groceries offer a lot of potential and your phone/water bill is very high) you could offer them -say - 10 quid a month?
If you can offer a positive way forward, I'm sure the court will be receptive.

Good luck and don't panic - it's only a meeting.

Wannabe01

Advise and comments made in red.

dearme wrote: »

Statement of Affairs and Personal Balance Sheet
Household Information
Number of adults in household........... 1
Number of children in household......... 1
Number of cars owned.................... 0
Monthly Income Details
Monthly income after tax................ 300 can you not do some work from home, party plan etc to get some more income
Partners monthly income after tax....... 0
Benefits................................ 480
Other income............................ 0
Total monthly income.................... 780
Monthly Expense Details
Mortgage................................ 0
Secured/HP loan repayments.............. 16 is this for something that is really necessary
Rent.................................... 280
Management charge (leasehold property).. 0
Council tax............................. 80
Electricity............................. 30 this seems high do you live in a big house - look at ways to save money ie don't use tumble dryer, switch lights off etc
Gas..................................... 30 this seems high do you live in a big house
Oil..................................... 0
Water rates............................. 48
Telephone (land line)................... 50 this seems very high, can you get a better deal
Mobile phone............................ 10
TV Licence.............................. 12
Satellite/Cable TV...................... 0
Internet Services....................... 0
Groceries etc. ......................... 280 this seems very high I don't even spend this on two adults and a child. Look at ways to save money.
Clothing................................ 20 can you do without new clothes for a whilt until you get on your feet
Petrol/diesel........................... 0
Road tax................................ 0
Car Insurance........................... 0
Car maintenance (including MOT)......... 0
Car parking............................. 0
Other travel............................ 10
Childcare/nursery....................... 0
Other child related expenses............ 10 are these expenses essentials or could they be reduced
Medical (prescriptions, dentist etc).... 0
Pet insurance/vet bills................. 0
Buildings insurance..................... 0
Contents insurance...................... 0
Life assurance ......................... 0
Other insurance......................... 0
Presents (birthday, christmas etc)...... 0
Haircuts................................ 0
Entertainment........................... 0
Holiday................................. 0
Emergency fund.......................... 0
Total monthly expenses.................. 876

Assets
Cash.................................... 58
House value (Gross)..................... 0
Shares and bonds........................ 0
Car(s).................................. 0
Other assets............................ 0
Total Assets............................ 58

Secured & HP Debts
Description....................Debt......Monthly...APR
Mortgage...................... 0........(0)........0
Hire Purchase (HP) debt ...... 350......(16).......35
Total secured & HP debts...... 350.......-.........-
Unsecured Debts
Description....................Debt......Monthly...APR
shop a check...................280.......40........0
Total unsecured debts..........280.......40........-

Monthly Budget Summary
Total monthly income.................... 780
Expenses (including HP & secured debts). 876
Available for debt repayments........... -96
Monthly UNsecured debt repayments....... 40
Amount short for making debt repayments. -136
Personal Balance Sheet Summary
Total assets (things you own)........... 58
Total HP & Secured debt................. -350
Total Unsecured debt.................... -280
Net Assets.............................. -572

Hope the comments help and good luck with getting things sorted

the_cat

You definately need some legal help regarding the work situation. I am in no way an expert but my thoughts are:

1. the only person who is entitled to decide whether you are medically fit for work or not is your doctor
2. your doctor has said he/she does not think a return is suitable for you. Is this due to stress? If so, please revisit and explain the situation as it stands now. You are under stress of a different sort with the money problems. Maybe the doctor is unaware? Surely (assuming of course it is re stress and not some other physical reason) the stress you are going through now is just as bad as it would be going back to work?
3. If you hand in your notice, this does not necessarily mean you cannot claim 'constructive dismissal' with your grievance. As I said, you need proper advice from someone in the legal field before you act but basically it is possible to claim that they effectively forced you into resigning by making your life a misery. Obv you may or may not win
4. You need to decide personally if you can go back or not, with the contracted hours you currently have. The longer you drag this out before deciding, the worse your situation will be. The company are probably spinning it out on purpose. They have after all, done without you for a time already, so have nothing to lose by hanging around

Good luck sorting it out