Issues with employer, worried about references

JackSC299

My current employers are being a bit ridiculous at the moment. I was thinking of leaving for a while due to being on very low pay (just above minimum wage) and on a zero hours contract which meant some weeks doing 20 hours and other 50+. The final straw came when I was blamed for issues with shifts just because I couldn't cover one due to a doctors appointment, the shift only needed covering because they had forgotten to do it so no one turned up on the day. The boss was so rude to me about it, saying I need to be flexible despite the fact I pick up extra shifts when people are sick all the time, and was already doing a 50 hour week. I found a new job quite easily, that paid much much better doing the same thing and had contracted full time hours. And hopefully bosses that know what they're doing. So I handed my notice on and currently have one week left at my current job. Yesterday, I had to call in sick as I had a bad stomach and really didn't feel well enough to work, plus I could be contagious (and I'm a support worker). I followed usual procedure to call in sick, said I would do an extra shift next week if needed and apologised. Later I looked at my rota app to see what I'm working next week and all my shifts for my last week had gone or were put on as needing to be covered. Obviously a bit confused, I emailed my employers to ask why. They said they had taken me off the shift on the day as I was unwell and then covered all my other shifts until we are able to have a discussion. What on earth does this mean?! It's a small company, family run, and honestly I'm kind of sick of discussions with them, I had one meeting last week about me not being able to cover the shift when I had a docs appointment and it was just my boss talking at me, still blaming me, I had just finished a 24 hours shift and by the end of him talking couldn't even be bothered to say all the things I wanted to say.

So why do they want to meet me again? Do they think I was faking being sick and are punishing me for it by taking my last weeks shifts off me? What other reason could there be? A weeks pay is a lot to miss out on, so I'm worried

They just seem to be trying as hard as possible to make my life difficult. its coming across as really unprofessional and like they don't know what they're doing, which I'm not sure they do. A lot of staff are leaving for the same reasons but they don't realise that it's because of them and the way they treat staff.

I'm worried about losing the week of pay and also about them not giving me a good reference, or doing a bad one, or refusing to do one at all. Despite the fact I haven't done anything wrong.

Any advice, I just can't stop stressing about it

anamenottaken

Has not your new prospective employer applied for a reference from this employer already? If you have just one week's work left it suggests that you handed in your notice earlier so the reference should have been cleared.

Unfortunately, as you say you are on a zero hours contract, they can cancel shifts when they want - unless you can show a contractual term that says they cannot do this if they have formally notified you of the required times.

JackSC299

Hi thanks for your reply, I handed my notice in the week before last so I gave two weeks notice in total. Im not sure if my new job has asked for references yet. I have a start date but it says on my contract the offer of employment is based on getting satisfactory references

annandale

You have the right to see a reference and challenge it if you think it's inaccurate. You don't need to hand notice in on a zero hours contract. You simply don't call and get shifts.

But the sensible thing to do is wait until you have a reference before moving on.

dacouch

Are you aware you are entitled to Holiday pay even on a zero hour contract?

stuartJo1989

From their perspective, they need someone to cover the hours which you have been given and the person who was down to cover (you) has just handed their notice in AND called in sick. They can't really rely on you anymore can they?

Not sure why you are so bothered about a reference though if you have similar work lined up in a better company? Just do a good job with your new employer and that's fine!

annandale

I'm assuming that his new employers don't have his references yet.

stuartJo1989

annandale wrote: »

I'm assuming that his new employers don't have his references yet.

Do employers not contact references before offering jobs these days?

annandale

Its possible to get a job offer pending references.

[Deleted User]

I remember getting a shock back in 2012 when moving care agencies - reference was requested prior to attending interview let alone offer, very, very understandably with nature of the work. The mere signing of application form to the new to be employer allowed it and old employers remarks made clear during interview.

Lord knows what truly happens today though. Most other industries I'd say safe with DBS but not 100% sure with the care industry.

ohreally

annandale wrote: »

Its possible to get a job offer pending references.

Its referred to as a conditional offer of employment.