Tribunal at work, where do I stand benefit wise???

jobbingmusician

Jem, it sounds as if you have the most brilliant case for race discrimination - I can't believe an employer in this day and age being so stupid (and so racist) as to put something like that in an email! Please do let us know how you get on. If you live in London and need some advice please PM me - I am not an expert myself but can put you in touch with a very good advice centre!

jem170884

My doctor has now signed me off work, to spend time with my daughter, on the basis of stress reaction, does this add anything to my case? I recieved details from the employment tribunal saying my employer has 28 day to settle (16 March).

Spoke to housing benefit today and they are as helpful as usual, they cant tell me anything and I need to speak to the jobcentre.

I cant afford to survive on SSP and Im not sure I am entitled to it as my employer refused to give me a contract that we both agreed on.

ohreally

jem170884 wrote:

I cant afford to survive on SSP and Im not sure I am entitled to it as my employer refused to give me a contract that we both agreed on.

A contract exists in-so-much as you provide a service (labour) to which you recieve remuneration from your employer. This is greatly simplifying the concept, it does however illustrate the existance of a contract - unless you're a worker rather than an employee which could change things.

azurepurple

Sorry to hear you are having such a rough time. I know how you feel I was in a similar position re a tribunal against my former employer the Police. I won despite initally being told the police stick together stick and chances of my success were minimal. I eventually got £10,500 out of and my job offered back so it worked out in the end! Don't know where you're at with your tribunal if you are paying for it yourself you can get it paid for by your house insurers sometimes - check if you've got legal cover in your policy documents. I got a barrister and it all paid for this way. Regarding your benefits look on yell.com or yellow pages for Citizens Advice Bureau, they usually have an independant section that deals with benefits advice. I have used them in the past and they are brilliant. They will tell you what exactly you are entitled to. Council Housing Benefit and Social Services are a waste of time - totally unhelpful in m experience! You may be entitled to tax credits, either child tax credit and/or working tax credit. If you are on a low income you should get Housing Benefit ie some of your mortgate paid for and also single parent 25% discount of your council tax. You may also be eligible for incapacity benefit due to stress regarding your current circumstances or failing that income support or job seekeres allowance. The Citizens Advice Bureau are confidential and will hopefully put your mind at rest. Good luck.

jobbingmusician

THe fact that you haven't got a written contract doesn't mean that one doesn't exist - the employer has a LEGAL OBLIGATION to provide you with one within the first period (I think it is 6 weeks) of you starting in post.

ohreally

jobbingmusician wrote:

THe fact that you haven't got a written contract doesn't mean that one doesn't exist - the employer has a LEGAL OBLIGATION to provide you with one within the first period (I think it is 6 weeks) of you starting in post.

The only duty on the employer is to provide a written statement of particulars which is not quite the same as a "contract".

Savvy_Sue

And if you don't get anything in writing then it's assumed that the contract will have certain minimum standard terms and conditions - I'm sure the ACAS site has guidelines for what these would be.

jmd355

I, too, have a grievance procedure going at work - I have a boss who screams and swears (even when I'm on the phone to clients) who kicks things, throws things around and swipes his phone off his desk in temper, he's even broken a computer screen by throwing filing trays at it! As youcan imagine its been like living on a knife edge and I finally had enough about 5 weeks when I raised this issue with the Company. I have been off sick since whilst they 'investigate' and am only receiving SSP which is hard as I am a divorced Mum of 10yr twins. Does anyone know if I could claim anymore to help out? I get WTC and CTC at mo with a small amount of HB.

I thought things were tough financially but this is awful!

jem170884

They have not given me a date yet but they have told me between july 07 - august 07 before it goes to tribunal, have just had my compnies side of it and it is unbelievable!!!! Was swearing at the statement as i read it and was straight on the phone to my solicitor who was actually laughing at what they have said about me. Am so skint that I am gonna have to disregard sick note and find a new job!

jem170884

o and housing benefit wont up my money with out written confirmation from employer of the ssp and guess what the a holes are refusing to do, thanks alot benefit system, stick it to the single mums who have been abused at work and CAN NOT GO BACK THERE!!!!