A job's a job..

LadyMissA

Poppa_G wrote: »

My 20yr old daughter had been unemployed for just over 12 months, when the jobcentre sent her for an interview. Next thing she knew the jobcentre phoned her to say she had been offered the job and gave her a start date, the following day.

Despite not wanting the job she was told that her jsa would be stopped for 6 months if she refused so she took the job in the call centre, this despite being a fully qualified hairdresser.

After 2 weeks she complained to the jobcentre by the fact that she works 45hrs a week, gets no breaks what so ever all in return for £100 a week. Apparently the employer classes her as being an apprentice. For the past month they have moved all 5 apprentices onto the late shift 11am-8pm with no supervision, thus leaving them to secure the premises on leaving.

The jobcentre's response, we know it goes on, but there's nothing we can do for you. "What if I just left" she asked.... no jsa for 6 months. Makes me so annoyed that employers are abusing youngsters in this way with the full backing of jobcentres.

she needs to put in a complaint to the DWP and get the name of the person who told you/her that they know it goes on etc

gibson123

I am almost certain that she has a claim under minimum wage legislation. From what you say she is NOT an apprentice, an apprenticeship is on a training contract, which means the young person's purpose is to learn valuable skills, getting the work done is a secondary condition. The minimum she can be paid a as and apprentice is £2.60 per hour and if she is over 19 YO only this little in the 1st 12 months. Have her call the confidential helpline on
0800 917 2368

Money and holidays
A new National Minimum Wage of £2.60 per hour for apprentices was introduced on 1 October 2011.
The wage applies to:
all apprentices aged under 19
apprentices aged 19 or over in the first year of their Apprenticeship
If you’re already doing an Apprenticeship with an employer, you should continue to get a weekly wage of at least £95. If you work in agriculture, the minimum wage may be different.
Many employers tend to pay more as you develop your skills. Research has found that the average apprentice takes home around £170 per week.
Like most other employees, employed apprentices get at least 20 days’ paid holiday per year. This is on top of bank holidays.

Oldernotwiser

LadyMissA wrote: »

Since I have always earnt over £13 per hour I would hope I never need to know.

I thought that you'd been unemployed for some time so knowing about tax credits could make all the difference regarding accepting a low paid job.

Oldernotwiser

LadyMissA wrote: »

I did the tax credits calulator and it says I would be able to claim but that's only if I was working but if I was to start a job on Monday no where on the form online does it ask for what you would be earing.

It's based on your last year's earnings. Someone who'd been earning about £10,000 would get an extra £23 per week but it would be about £50 if you'd been on benefits for the year.

LadyMissA

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

I thought that you'd been unemployed for some time so knowing about tax credits could make all the difference regarding accepting a low paid job.

yes I have been out of work a while and it would make no difference. I can't turn a NMW job down if I got offered one and I would still be better off on NMW. When the JC told me I have to look for an apply for NMW jobs you would have thought they would have told me about these credits.

Poppa_G

Thanks for all the advice, mobile hairdressing is a problem as she doesn't drive. If she joined a union, would they represent her, thus being the only sole employee to be in a union?

They started off doing 9am - 6pm & 11am - 8pm. However, since Christmas the owner has moved all the established employees onto the earlier shift and decided that until at least March, the apprentices will be on the late shift.

It saddens me to see how depressed she has come, I mean JSA is £53pw so in effect she's working for £47 a week.

LadyMissA

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

It's based on your last year's earnings. Someone who'd been earning about £10,000 would get an extra £23 per week but it would be about £50 if you'd been on benefits for the year.

so If I get a job paying £27k this week I can still claim as I have been on benefits for a year?

dandelionclock30

Yes a union would represent her thats what she pays her fees for.
Could she not travel by public transport or cycle to see clients if she set up herself as a hairdresser.
This job is absolutley scandlously low paid, is there nothing elce at all near you she could do? even care work or working in a chip shop would be better than this. Usually in night jobs you get paid double time.I was when I worked as a care assistant.
Could she look into doing something like care work? as often agencies want carers.

cwiff1

Poppa_G wrote: »

Thanks for all the advice, mobile hairdressing is a problem as she doesn't drive. If she joined a union, would they represent her, thus being the only sole employee to be in a union?

They started off doing 9am - 6pm & 11am - 8pm. However, since Christmas the owner has moved all the established employees onto the earlier shift and decided that until at least March, the apprentices will be on the late shift.

It saddens me to see how depressed she has come, I mean JSA is £53pw so in effect she's working for £47 a week.

If working for herself is something she would consider then she can get a lot of help and advice (not to mention a very good low % loan) from the princes trust.

I would have to say that it does look like the employer is taking advantage of her being young and not knowing her rights. It's shocking that an employer can do that to someone!

As for all the benefits chat, I've spent the last hour or so reading the posts and it's funny how some people think. Its very easy to judge unemployed people when your in a safe, secure and average paying job. Peoples situations are all different and it's not going to be easy to take a job at minimum wage when you were getting paid 25k only a couple of months ago is it? Speaking as a qualified joiner, I wouldn't take a job that paid less than £10 an hour, that's for sure. Why? Because I have worked through an apprenticeship to ensure I have a qualification that is worth more than £10 an hour. I spent 6 weeks without work from before Christmas but I didn't sign on once because I was the one who chose not to take the low paying work. I was financially in a position where I didn't need to take the work right enough, so I didn't NEED to take the low paying work...

However, I think that the lazy people who are all set for a lifetime on benefits are the ones in the wrong, not the people who are waiting for a suitable job that fits their qualifications.

Oldernotwiser

LadyMissA wrote: »

yes I have been out of work a while and it would make no difference. I can't turn a NMW job down if I got offered one and I would still be better off on NMW. When the JC told me I have to look for an apply for NMW jobs you would have thought they would have told me about these credits.

Perhaps you never asked - there's an enormous amount of information around about them and it's hard to see how you've missed it..