Not getting contracted hours in apprenticeship

tangerine27

Hi there, hope this is in the right place.

I'm just coming up to 1 year into my level 2 hairdressing apprenticeship and my contracted hours has been a problem pretty much all along (was much better in the last couple of months of 2015 as we were a lot busier). I'm supposed to work 30 hours a week but often get told to not come into work as we "aren't busy enough" (was under the impression if we aren't busy enough they should be teaching me stuff?!) I'm kind of getting to breaking point now as I'm 21, I claim housing benefit and council tax reduction, I live by myself (as in completely supported only by myself, live with 3 friends) and I can't cope working less than 30 hours a week at £3.30ph. If my boss can't give me the hours can I ask that she at least pays me for 30 hours anyway? and what do I do if she says no?

Thank you so much if you can help! x

jaydeeuk1

I have a couple of apprentices, £3.30 is a shocking amount to pay someone. Tell your employer to stop being so f*cking tight and either pay you more, or pay you for the 30 hours whether worked or not. (don't feel bad, they also get paid a £1500 grant just for having you, and we get freebies like Derby tickets in directors box)

Darksparkle

You'll get £6.70 per hour when your first year is complete.

Does your contract specifically state 30 hours? Does it say anything else about working hours?

marcarm

Speak to your assessor or training provider, they will have people there who deal with this side of things

emsywoo123

marcarm wrote: »

Speak to your assessor or training provider, they will have people there who deal with this side of things

This. There are *very* few exceptions where an apprentice can work less than 30 hours a week. You have not said anything that indicates you would fall into this category, so speak to your college/provider as they will support you with this.

tangerine27

Thanks everyone.

My contract says "The employer agrees to pay an hourly rate of £2.73 (this is from before October when the rate got put up) for all apprentices aged under 19, and apprentices aged 19 or over in the first year of their apprenticeship based on a minimum of 30 working hours per week."

When I brought this up before I was told "it's hairdressing so there's different rules" .... which is a load of rubbish, I know. I just hate arguments and don't want to cause an awkward working environment. I also don't think that my employer knows that she has to pay me £6.70ph in a months time, she forgot to put my minimum wage up in October and I had to remind her so that's another awkward conversation to have.

Thanks for all your help x

marcarm

Again, this is what your assessor is for. You can speak to them in confidence and they can branch the subject with your employer without them letting them know it came from you.

Your assessor and training provider are there to protect and safeguard you, which includes making sure your employer is following the law.

Next time you see your assessor, have a chat with them and tell them you think your employer is not following the law. They can then talk to them and remind them of their obligations.

Tbh, it sounds as though your employer is more interested in the cheap labour than actually teaching you things, and those employers who play the system really get on my nerves.

missbiggles1

tangerine27 wrote: »

Thanks everyone.

My contract says "The employer agrees to pay an hourly rate of £2.73 (this is from before October when the rate got put up) for all apprentices aged under 19, and apprentices aged 19 or over in the first year of their apprenticeship based on a minimum of 30 working hours per week."

When I brought this up before I was told "it's hairdressing so there's different rules" .... which is a load of rubbish, I know. I just hate arguments and don't want to cause an awkward working environment. I also don't think that my employer knows that she has to pay me £6.70ph in a months time, she forgot to put my minimum wage up in October and I had to remind her so that's another awkward conversation to have.

Thanks for all your help x

I expect she knows that perfectly well - that's why she's cutting your hours!

emsywoo123

tangerine27 wrote: »

. I just hate arguments and don't want to cause an awkward working environment.

A lot of people, especially apprentices I would say, feel the same way. Please remember this is not you saying you fancy a pay rise; it is your legal right.

How often are you having 3 way reviews with you, your manager and your assessor? This is exactly the sort of thing that can be covered then, because then she cannot pretend she does not know, it is formally recorded and you all sign. It does really help the assessor if you can speak to them about it first though!

tangerine27

I don't really get the chance to have a three way review, as whenever my assessor comes in my boss is always very busy so usually I speak to my assessor and then when my boss is free she'll go over and talk to my assessor, while I have another job to do, usually shampooing someone.
This all takes place in reception, in front of clients, and I especially don't want an argument/heated discussion in front of them. Last time it did end up with me crying in the loo for 10 minutes as I was told that I only had to work 16 hours, despite me having proof I didn't.

I was also told yesterday that if I moved placement, I'd go back to the "start" of the £3.30 situation, and would have to wait another year in this new workplace before I'd go up to £6.70, even though I'm over halfway through my apprenticeship. Does anyone know how true that is?
I love where I work and my job but if the hours/pay don't improve I'd have to consider leaving, but I wouldn't if I'd be back to the start all over again!

emsywoo123

tangerine27 wrote: »

I don't really get the chance to have a three way review, as whenever my assessor comes in my boss is always very busy so usually I speak to my assessor and then when my boss is free she'll go over and talk to my assessor, while I have another job to do, usually shampooing someone.
This all takes place in reception, in front of clients, and I especially don't want an argument/heated discussion in front of them. Last time it did end up with me crying in the loo for 10 minutes as I was told that I only had to work 16 hours, despite me having proof I didn't.

This is very very wrong. Contact your assessor today and explain you want (and are entitled to) a private 3 way review. Ofsted would go bonkers. If you do not get anywhere with your assessor, move it up the chain!

I was also told yesterday that if I moved placement, I'd go back to the "start" of the £3.30 situation, and would have to wait another year in this new workplace before I'd go up to £6.70, even though I'm over halfway through my apprenticeship. Does anyone know how true that is?

It is not. So long as you continue with the apprenticeship, it is not how long with the employer that is relevant.

I love where I work and my job but if the hours/pay don't improve I'd have to consider leaving, but I wouldn't if I'd be back to the start all over again!

Situations like this make me so so so annoyed. I wish you were my apprentice. But I do not assess hairdressing so probs not a great idea :rotfl: