Open Uni / Jobs causing issues

falko89

So here's the issue, As most will know I applied for a job at a much higher rate of pay which did not exist, I got suckered into this min wage job which I could not refuse as I was on JSA at the time, So took the job and unknown to me also had an overtime clause, they rely on people doing overtime as part of there work load, anyway my Open Uni course started again this month, 16hrs per week, Mr Mrs also got a job in a chippy in the evenings as our jobs don't pay enough, so to cut a long story short me being unable to do overtime is not going down well.

What can I do? I am doing the OU course so I can get out of crappy min wage jobs like this, My Mrs wouldn't have to take the extra job if I was getting what was advertised. Its all bit of a mess.

ILW

Not sure what the problem is.
Are you saying you cannot find 16 hrs for study?

noelphobic

16 hours is the guidance that the OU gives, it's not compulsory. Some people do more, some do less. I've been with the OU for 6 years and don't do any study at all some weeks but do a lot more others - usually when a TMA is due or there's an exam coming up.

falko89

Here is the issue, My Mrs works 9-12 in a supermarket, 5 days per week, then 6-8 in the evenings Mon - Thurs in the chippy, totalling 23 hours per week, allowing us to claim WTC, Weekends I do OU although overtime is never asked at weekends anyway really, Her extra job is !!!!!!ing us up but we need that to survive.

She earns more than me in the evenings, and 1 person has to work full time and the other over 21 to claim WTC

noelphobic

falko89 wrote: »

Here is the issue, My Mrs works 9-12 in a supermarket, 5 days per week, then 6-8 in the evenings Mon - Thurs in the chippy, totalling 23 hours per week, allowing us to claim WTC, Weekends I do OU although overtime is never asked at weekends anyway really, Her extra job is !!!!!!ing us up but we need that to survive.

I still don't understand what your question is.

falko89

noelphobic wrote: »

I still don't understand what your question is.

I work 8 - 5, overtime is 2hrs min, I can't do it, I have to be home to look after children, Should of made that clear in first post sorry

Dunroamin

falko89 wrote: »

Here is the issue, My Mrs works 9-12 in a supermarket, 5 days per week, then 6-8 in the evenings Mon - Thurs in the chippy, totalling 23 hours per week, allowing us to claim WTC, Weekends I do OU although overtime is never asked at weekends anyway really, Her extra job is !!!!!!ing us up but we need that to survive.

She earns more than me in the evenings, and 1 person has to work full time and the other over 21 to claim WTC

No they don't.

A couple with children need to work a total of 24 hours a week between them with one person working for at least 16 hours.

From HMRC

"If you're responsible for children you need to be aged at least 16, and work the following hours to get Working Tax Credit:
if you're single, you need to do paid work of at least 16 hours a week
if you're in a couple, your joint paid working hours need to be at least 24 a week, with one of you working at least 16 hours a week
So if you're in a couple and only one of you is working, that person will need to work at least 24 hours a week."

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/taxcredits/keep-up-to-date/changes-affect/work-changes/changes-to-hours.htm

Loanranger

Why can't you just do the overtime that's in your contract? The OU is aimed at people who work full time and many people who work full time also do overtime.
You can't do OU without making sacrifices and putting in a great deal of time and effort. It's all worth it in the end.
FWIW, I have two OU degrees, both gained while working full time.

ILW

falko89 wrote: »

I work 8 - 5, overtime is 2hrs min, I can't do it, I have to be home to look after children, Should of made that clear in first post sorry

So where does OU come into it?

Dunroamin

It sounds more like a child care problem than an educational one.

falko89

Loanranger wrote: »

Why can't you just do the overtime that's in your contract? The OU is aimed at people who work full time and many people who work full time also do overtime.
You can't do OU without making sacrifices and putting in a great deal of time and effort. It's all worth it in the end.
FWIW, I have two OU degrees, both gained while working full time.

Because I have kid in evening as Mrs is working, + She earns £8 per hour I earn £6 something