0 hour contract nastyness

Legacy_user

Hi,

Just after a bit of clarification. You start work for a company on a zero hour contract and your employer gives you 1/3 of what you where verbally promised. You therefore get a new job and tell them you resign and your availability is zero, but offer to work notice on zero hours (In seriousness, not being pedantic)

The company then tells you they will charge for an induction (watching a video - really!)

Firstly, to my mind, a zero hour contract works both ways, so money can not be withheld.

Secondly, as it was a group induction, watching a 2 hour video with no refreshments, it is unreasonable to ask £100 for the "training"

Lastly, they, the company involved says they will pay you by cheque when company property is returned, it is returned, but you are still waiting 3 weeks later, it is unreasonable and could be ruled to be cruel and unusual punishment in a way of speaking.

Any replies appreciated.

DVardysShadow

Did they advise you of this 'induction' charge before you took the induction? Because if they did not, then you should take it all the way with them.

SarEl

Agreed - with the possible addition of the fact that cruel and unusual punishment applies to criminal law - not employment law.

Jenny007

Surely if you were on a Zero hour contract you could (theoretically) have never been asked to work for them and thus earnt no money? So how would you have been expected to pay money back when it was down to them no hours were given.
Its a two way street...

getmore4less

Why resign?

Just turn down work that does not fit your new availability

Never accept a Zero hours that does not have when avalable and allows other work.

System

Hi,

Thanks for that everyone. Nice stiff letter written! Just to be clear, it's not me on the zero hour contract. I am quite happy with my job

daveboy

Maybe this is just me but surely by definition a 'zero hour contract' cannot exist? You cannot have an agreement which is based around nothing.

Unless we are talking in terms of dodgy employment agencies trying to get round the new regulations that came in to effect at the start of October.

Uncertain

daveboy wrote: »

Maybe this is just me but surely by definition a 'zero hour contract' cannot exist? You cannot have an agreement which is based around nothing.

Unless we are talking in terms of dodgy employment agencies trying to get round the new regulations that came in to effect at the start of October.

Well it can and does and has been around a lot longer than October!

A zero hour contract means that terms have been agreed under which you will work if the company has work for you to do. The contract may allow you the freedom to turn work down if it doesn't suit but that isn't always the case.

bethl79

daveboy wrote: »

Maybe this is just me but surely by definition a 'zero hour contract' cannot exist? You cannot have an agreement which is based around nothing.

Unless we are talking in terms of dodgy employment agencies trying to get round the new regulations that came in to effect at the start of October.

I'm on a zero hour contract

It just means that my employer (the NHS - not a dodgy employment company!) offers me work when they have it and I take it if I want to. It's perfect in my case as I can work the hours I want to which fit around my family life.

OP I would say that they have no right to charge you for the induction if you weren't made aware of this during your interview. I would make an appointment at the CAB regarding this and getting your due payment.