Jury Service/Zero Hour Contract

BigAunty

The expenses I was paid to attend Jury Service was a tiny fraction of the income I earned in that period. Fortunately, I only had to do it for a few days.

However, the trial that I did not get assigned to because of a forthcoming booked holiday was one of the longest in the city's history, expecting to last at least 6 weeks, so if I had been selected, I would have been vastly out of pocket by thousands of pounds. My employer was a public sector body and expected all of its staff to do their duty, fair enough.

Gavin83

If I was called up I'd get paid by my employers for the time off so it wouldn't really concern me. If I was self employed, contracting or on a zero hours contract I just wouldn't bother turning up. It's very unlikely they'll chase it up but even if they did the maximum fine will likely be less than your loss of earnings, naturally depending on how much you earn. If I was contracting I could be £5k plus out of pocket. Not worth it IMO.

Sncjw

What if your called up and your deaf

missbiggles1

Sncjw wrote: »

What if your called up and your deaf

Then you won't hear the call.;)

pennypincher3562

Thanks for the ideas. I plan however to apply for a deferment.

Super_Whiskey

What hours is your employer open? I have done jury service in the last year and, apart from the first day, the hours were something like 10-3 depending on what was happening. Would you be able to do an evening shift at all?

pennypincher3562

Super_Whiskey wrote: »

What hours is your employer open? I have done jury service in the last year and, apart from the first day, the hours were something like 10-3 depending on what was happening. Would you be able to do an evening shift at all?

I am on a 'zero hour contract.' I sit and wait for a text to come through in the morning to see if I can be booked in for the next week. Thanks for your comment, however when you are on a 'zero hour contract' everything is uncertain.

Personally I think that 'zero hour contracting,' should be banned.

Mersey_2

OP - I don't think you are permitted to defer a second time.


The law was tightened a couple of times, so even lawyers now get called for Jury Service.


BigAunty - employers have to give time off; it's not just that yours was being moral.


There's a £1,000 fine for failure.


You can defer once if you have a booked holiday or you are ill or needed urgently at work.


The only other ways to avoid would by being convicted of a criminal offence or renouncing your British citizenship - which would be a bit drastic!

missbiggles1

pennypincher3562 wrote: »

I am on a 'zero hour contract.' I sit and wait for a text to come through in the morning to see if I can be booked in for the next week. Thanks for your comment, however when you are on a 'zero hour contract' everything is uncertain.

Personally I think that 'zero hour contracting,' should be banned.

I agree but, if it were, you'd be unemployed again so it wouldn't really be a good thing for you.

Mersey_2

Actually, you could try financial hardship (although it only mentions sole traders with a small business):


www.theguardian.com/money/2014/sep/27/cost-jury-service-self-employed-carer


It's £65 for each full day can be claimed.


The good news is that after 10 days, the rate doubles again to £130/day.