In Trouble!

Penniless_Wonder

Hey Guys,

This is my first post here (be warned, its likely to be a long one, those of you with a low boredom threshold really should look away now ) .I have been aware of the site for a while, and in retrospect it would have been wiser to post here sooner, but as you read through this you'll probably realise that sound judgement is one thing I do not possess.

I'm just turned 21, and unemployed. I left my job voluntarily and as such I've been told I'm not entitled to claim benefits while I search. I have 6 interviews next week and intend to take both a part-time and a full-time job.

I've been out of work since July 21st, having left a job at Starbucks which was making me ill because my manager was making (illegal) demands of me to work until 9 in the evening one night and be back in for 5:30 the next morning. As I can imagine is the same in a lot of organisations, it was a boys club, managers looked out for one another. I have been looking and applying ever since but simply did not take into account how long it might take to get something. Temp agencies won't take me on on account of my inexpereince or because they're full with students on their break, the earliest start date I might have is the 20th of the month.

I am no good with money. Whats irritating is that, having a mother who has successfully survived on next to nothing for her whole adult life, I do know that I ought not live beyond my means. Fact is, until recently (as in the past 2 weeks) I would spend £30 a week on coffee and the same on Haagen-Dazs ice-cream or other needless confectionery crap. I have lived my life in the past 3 years as if I have been earning 5 grand a year more than I actually have.

My current situation:

Current account: £918 DR (£1000 limit) 18.9%

Credit Card £1300 (£1300 limit) 16.9%

Loan £1100 @ 138 p/m for 8 months (initially £2,500)

Income:

Nothing at the minute (but interviews for both full and part-time positions next week)
but should make at the very least £15,000 between the two.

Outgoings(edit sorry):

Rent: £260pcm
Sky: £34
Share of Utilities: £10
Share of Council Tax: £30
Share of Broadband: £6
Mobile: £25
Camera: £7
Loan Payment: £138
Card Payment: min £30
Bus: £40

So I guess I need some advice (and moving back with the parents simply isn't an option at present as I have a lease until at least February and a landlord who WOULD rinse me for anything and everything I possessed). Firstly, income. I CANNOT STAND BEING UNEMPLOYED. From experience, where have people picked up jobs most quickly?? (and I'm willing to do ANYTHING so long as its not totally unethical)

Secondly, how might I juggle things? I think extending my overdraft would be best immediate short term, otherwise I simply will not be able to make any of my next set of direct debits which in total come to £600. By the end of next month I'll definitely have a monthly salary of at least £800 net from a full-time job, and from as early as next week I should have £40-50 net weekly from a bar job.

There's plenty more I could write about, and by all means if anyone wants to ask me anything please do, but for now I'll leave it at that.

Thanks for reading,
Dave

BWZN93

Hi Dave!

Welcome to the site and the board! Other posters will be along shortly, but I just wanted to say good luck for those interviews! Finding a job takes an age (Ive been there!) so you may need to get pro-active and send off speculative applications as well. Have you tried every agency in the area? I know you cant sign on but the jobcentre has an online jobs search facility and could be worth trying as well. If you arent fussy where you work, then maybe try going into local bars and asking if they have any jobs? I found one a couple of summers ago within a couple of days so it could be worth a try. Treat finding a job as a full time job and hopefully something will come up quickly!

Jo x

bargainbetty

Hello Dave,

I'd recommending asking at bars too, and also check the jobs pages in your local newspaper - lots of smaller local firms needing holiday cover put ads in there.

Supermarkets often want night workers, if you'd consider that. Just ask at all the customer services desk for applications.

Seriously, what JW said is right - treat it as a job. Go to every local store and bar and ask. You might find something comes up quickly.

Good luck x

Penniless_Wonder

Hi Jo,

Believe me, the last two weeks, I have exhausted as many options that have come into my head. Been knocked back so many times due to "inexperience" for jobs paying £14k or less, how are you meant to gain experience for entry-level positions?? Thats why they're called "entry-level", Its ridiculous!

Whats most irritating in the whole job search thing is that obviously I need employment soon as and as such am applying here, there and bloody everywhere but I don't want to mess any employers around. My old boss is notorious for being !!!! with references and if I was to go direct to the HR dept they're not much better.

Long story short, I may have to take a crap job with no stringent reference checks or wait another 4 weeks (for the jobs with CIS/BUPA that I actually want) until my last employer finally decides to get his !!!! in gear and issue a reference only when he's legally required to

hypno06

Just a thought - if they were asking you to work illegal hours (I am not an employment lawyer so have no idea really) can you not get something out of them on the grounds of constructive dismissal? Might be worth a chat with the CAB or have a free half hour appointment with an employment lawyer.

If nothing else, it might be something to threaten the ex-boss with - Give me a reference, or I will take you to a tribunal for constructive dismissal having already taken legal advice....type of thing. Also, if you were fighting for constructive dismissal it may positively affect your benefits claim (as although you left voluntarily, you did so under those illegal circumstances). Again, only guessing.

Also, get car booting during the summer - you won't make lots, but you may be able to get some money behind you that at least means you can eat and pay the loan payment.

Good luck. Sorry I can't suggest anything more positive.

tifnstav

looking at your SOA can you cancel sky?
and what is £7 camera?

might sound daft but is there any way of reducing your bus costs? getting off a few stops early and walking? a megarider ticket or similar?

i could spend £24 per week on the bus but i stay late at work to wait till my OH is passing and can pick me up, or i walk to my mum's for a brew till OH is passing....or i cadge a lift off a work colleague - if i cadge for more than a few times in a month i'll buy her a drink on a friday in the pub or get a cheap bottle of plonk, works out cheaper than paying for the bus and she passes my house so its no issue for her...
i've got my bus costs down to about £12 per week (saving £48 per month) by doing this, less the drink in the pub or bottle of wine of course.

lemma1968

hypno06 wrote: »

Just a thought - if they were asking you to work illegal hours (I am not an employment lawyer so have no idea really) can you not get something out of them on the grounds of constructive dismissal? Might be worth a chat with the CAB or have a free half hour appointment with an employment lawyer.

If nothing else, it might be something to threaten the ex-boss with - Give me a reference, or I will take you to a tribunal for constructive dismissal having already taken legal advice....type of thing. Also, if you were fighting for constructive dismissal it may positively affect your benefits claim (as although you left voluntarily, you did so under those illegal circumstances). Again, only guessing.

Also, get car booting during the summer - you won't make lots, but you may be able to get some money behind you that at least means you can eat and pay the loan payment.

Good luck. Sorry I can't suggest anything more positive.

You took the words out of my mouth. This sounds like constructive dismissal to me, but whether or not you have any comeback depends on how long you have been with the company.

I would suggest you make an appointment at your local lawcentre. Its free and manned by qualified lawyers. Some work there full time to do legal aid cases, others give a few hours a week of their time pro bono.

You will find your nearest one at:

https://www.lawcentres.org.uk/lawcentres/

Good Luck. All the advice you have been given so far is fab!:T

Penniless_Wonder

cheers guys for everything so far, to deal with each thing individually:

i WILL be paying a visit to an employment lawyer, and not only was my manager rota'ing on me on for illegal hours and not taking into consideration the legally required 11 hours between the end of one shift and start of another. I was also interviewed for a promotion and succeeded, though the pay rise didn't come even 4 months later and i was fobbed off with excuses.
thing is, i have been reluctant to do anything about it up to now because i do think my former manager is a decent man and wouldn't not have done this out of malice and i wouldn't him to be disciplined and perhaps lose his job over this.

A lot of my possessions are up on ebay/gumtree at the minute so I'm trying to free up some cash in that respect.

The camera is £7 a month on HP.

I'm unable to cancel sky i don't think as i'm in the middle of my contract, but I will be cutting back on the number of channels I have.

And, the bus costs are £40 a month or thereabouts for any bus in the area (I don't currently pay for a pass but need to when in work)

I really appreciate your help guys, keep em comin

DKLS

Find your local catering agencies, tell them you have silver service experience, As long as your not clumsy and have good balance you will be fine, practice serving yourself, it pays more than waiting on, And if your any good, you can get good money, big tips, get fed and have a lot of fun in the process. I once got £250 for 4 hrs silver service on Christmas day. Might not be what you want to do, but not unpleasant like a MuckyDs job. Also mention you have been a champagne waiter, that can pay very well, if you look good in a tux and you can open champers with a sword!

millionaire_in_training

hi. Continue to sign at jobcentre as it will at least pay your national insurance for you. Ask them about hardship payments. You get this from week 3 of any sanction but there is some rule about < 25's and I can't remember it at the mo. Hardship is not the full rate of benefit but is up to 40% reduced rate. Better than nowt though. Good luck.

Conor_3

Penniless_Wonder wrote: »

i WILL be paying a visit to an employment lawyer, and not only was my manager rota'ing on me on for illegal hours and not taking into consideration the legally required 11 hours between the end of one shift and start of another.

You need to read up on the Working Time Directive. You can sign an "opt-out" or have the opt-out as part of your contract. You did read your contract didn't you? If the opt-out was signed by you or included as part of your contract you signed, you have no leg to stand on as you've opted out of the protection the WTD gives you. There are very few jobs where you can't opt-out and on one of them, HGV driving, a 9hr daily rest is legal.

Also it's 11 hours rest IN A 24 HOUR PERIOD. Somehow I doubt you were working 13hrs a day.