Zero hours contracts and Bank staff...

Daisymoocow

I currently work for a care company and am employed on a 'zero hours contract' ( even though i still havent received a contract despite being employed since June). My hours average about 10 a week lol ( over 5 days... yes, i go out for 2 hours a day :mad:) I have now been offered a job with the NHS on a bank basis - which suits me fine, and i was hoping to run both alongside each other in order to up my hours, I have spoken to the care company today and they said it is a 'conflict of interest' and I had to choose between one or the other... as working on the bank would affect my avaiable hours for them. The thing is, i know my bank hours a couple of weeks in advance a I will cover holidays and training ( not last min sickness) and I would only be doing 2 or 3 shifts a month with the NHS. I thought that on a zero hours contract i didnt have to work any hours I didnt want to... as well as this, one of the people I work with at the NHS is also a carer for the SAME COMPANY and works both alongside each other, so im a bit miffed that this is even being questioned :-(

Does anyone know what my rights are? I really dont want to have to choose between the two as they will work well with each other

Jarndyce

Unless there is anything in your contract with the care company that says you can't do this, then you can. A zero hours contract means just that - you are not obliged to work for them and they are not obliged to give you work. Obviously if you pi$$ them off they are even less likely to offer you work, but that's your call.

Realbairn

I don't see how it is a conflict of interest. I work for NHS bank, like yourself zero hours contract but can get up to full time and more if i choose too, also you give them your availability so that it doesn't have to clash time wise with current job. I've been able to work elsewhere whilst working with NHS bank and they've never had any problem with this, so can't see why your current company has an issue. Also NHS also don't tend to send you out for 2 hours at a time, its always been a full shift anytime i've went out. Think it depends on what your contract says really, although you are zero hours are you tied in to short notice cover etc, can they change your shifts without much notice? You may find, as stated above, that they will stop offering you shifts, but then you'll have nhs bank who are more flexible, and may well pay more too. Can you afford to more to NHS instead if they force your hand?