Question about working hours (care work)

KiKi

Just wondered if anyone can advise me on the following:

A friend of mine works in care. She works 2 x 12 hour day shifts each week. Her employer has made her an offer: free accommodation if she sleeps on site and is on call every night, 7 days a week (12 hours shifts each night), in addition to the two day shifts.

There is always an 'awake' person on call every night - she will be the 'sleeping' on call call person who is only woken when needed (in practice this is once a week at the most).

I'm not looking for thoughts on whether she should do it - that's her call. She simply had one question for me: are there any legal requirements for working hours, time between shifts if on-call and unpaid but not disturbed etc? I have absolutely no idea but promised her I'd ask the question!

TIA if you know the answer or can point me to the right place.
KiKi

getmore4less

have a read of things like this

http://www.unitetheunion.org/uploaded/documents/jan%2014%20sleep%20in%20briefing11-18599.pdf


They may not like the pay and holiday requirements

getmore4less

I wonder if by offering accomodation so it becomes the persons permanent home that bypasses some of the regulations.

The simple distinction between work and non work is if the person would be required to stay in the building.

I think I would be wanting 2 full days off a week on average, with the option to work those on a volutory basis.

Just to keep control of being able to go away for a weekend on top of the normal 5.6 weeks min holiday.