Will I be entitled to SSP on a "bank" contract? UPDATED

top_drawer_2

zzzLazyDaisy wrote: »

I have to say, that makes much more sense. Either you are an employee or you are not. If you are an employee and you pay NIC's, you are entitled to SSP. This can certainly be a problem for some employers as (contrary to popular belief, most employers cannot claim this money back) and it is not surprising that some employers are tempted to avoid their responsibilities. Nevertheless SSP is a legal entitlement.

OP, I do wonder if it is worth referring the matter to HMRC for a decision anyway? My concern would be that this could make you very unpopular with your employer, and this may make your working environment uncomfortable. At least if you go along with them and make a claim to DWP first, if this is refused you can show that you have followed their instructions and are not being deliberately militant. That is, of course, if this matters to you, which it may not.

Do let us know how you go on though, as it is of broader interest.

Dx

Prior to working for this outfit I was self-employed; it didn't work out long term but I did all the research prior to setting up... believe me I understand the terms employee/employer. These are definitely my employer but they are a right bunch of fly by their pants outfit, following some rules ignoring others treating individuals differently depending on how much bother the person can cause if they choose too; then they wonder why they have so many issues with staff!?!

I made a claim to the Jobcentre this afternoon for ESA (what a palava, these inbreeds couldn't arrange a p1$$ up in a brewery) and I have read the leaflet provided in the above post. Hopefully I will get a decision shortly either way. I'm not sure whether to go to the HMRC as well. I am hoping to be able to work at the end of May although I do think I am going to look for alternative employment in the meantime. I don't appreciate being treated like this when I am unwell; they were happy to allow me to work an average of 50 odd hours a week and were always calling on me at short notice to cover this or that shift. Its not like I am asking for big bucks in my hour of need.

Takeaway_Addict

top_drawer wrote: »

Prior to working for this outfit I was self-employed; it didn't work out long term but I did all the research prior to setting up... believe me I understand the terms employee/employer. These are definitely my employer but they are a right bunch of fly by their pants outfit, following some rules ignoring others treating individuals differently depending on how much bother the person can cause if they choose too; then they wonder why they have so many issues with staff!?!

I made a claim to the Jobcentre this afternoon for ESA (what a palava, these inbreeds couldn't arrange a p1$$ up in a brewery) and I have read the leaflet provided in the above post. Hopefully I will get a decision shortly either way. I'm not sure whether to go to the HMRC as well. I am hoping to be able to work at the end of May although I do think I am going to look for alternative employment in the meantime. I don't appreciate being treated like this when I am unwell; they were happy to allow me to work an average of 50 odd hours a week and were always calling on me at short notice to cover this or that shift. Its not like I am asking for big bucks in my hour of need.

wow, if that tends to be your attitude I'm not surprised the employers are being difficult.

top_drawer_2

Takeaway_Addict wrote: »

wow, if that tends to be your attitude I'm not surprised the employers are being difficult.

I would prefer my thread wasn't taken off topic but just to be clear and because I am still irritated.

Yesterday I telephoned the "freephone" ESA line (which isnt free to as we don't have a BT line) and waited 40 minutes with no indication as to where I was in the queue + terrible music. After this time (& 15 more minutes) the individual who answered the phone decided based on me answering my DOB/Address and NI number that they weren't happy to continue for security reasons........... They were too awkward to say why exactly.

I then telephoned back and waited another 40 minutes on the line again listening to the same terrible music, suggestions that I should ring another time (because I would never have thought of that!) but the house is quiet on a Thursday so better to ring when I can...

Eventually I got through where a much more polite person went through the claim process but then had to cut the call short as it was finishing time! In my job you finish the job with the client as long as its reasonable to do so and if that means you stay on an extra 10 mins then so be it. So he booked me a callback for 9am this morning which is not convenient in this household but is the best I can do... I waited by the phone and eventually they rang and when I answered they cut me off! I waited for them to try again and half an hour later I rang them...... I was on the phone maybe 10 minutes at most (and much of it was their diversity monitoring too) to conclude the claim.

I would call this a farce, and in any job I have ever worked in this would be considered a complete disaster and a dreadful way to treat a client/an individual.

Takeaway_Addict

top_drawer wrote: »

I would prefer my thread wasn't taken off topic but just to be clear and because I am still irritated.

Yesterday I telephoned the "freephone" ESA line (which isnt free to as we don't have a BT line) and waited 40 minutes with no indication as to where I was in the queue + terrible music. After this time (& 15 more minutes) the individual who answered the phone decided based on me answering my DOB/Address and NI number that they weren't happy to continue for security reasons........... They were too awkward to say why exactly.

I then telephoned back and waited another 40 minutes on the line again listening to the same terrible music, suggestions that I should ring another time (because I would never have thought of that!) but the house is quiet on a Thursday so better to ring when I can...

Eventually I got through where a much more polite person went through the claim process but then had to cut the call short as it was finishing time! In my job you finish the job with the client as long as its reasonable to do so and if that means you stay on an extra 10 mins then so be it. So he booked me a callback for 9am this morning which is not convenient in this household but is the best I can do... I waited by the phone and eventually they rang and when I answered they cut me off! I waited for them to try again and half an hour later I rang them...... I was on the phone maybe 10 minutes at most (and much of it was their diversity monitoring too) to conclude the claim.

I would call this a farce, and in any job I have ever worked in this would be considered a complete disaster and a dreadful way to treat a client/an individual.

And this makes it alright to use derogatory terms how exactly?

top_drawer_2

I've updated the first post, thinking it would make it easier for anyone else wanting a quick (sort of) answer if they encounter a similar situation.