Falling foul again..!

aimzee84

Hi All,

I seem to have no end of bad luck with all things financial.

Long story short, as of 1st October my hours are being cut to 55%. This means I will no longer be able to afford my current rent. I will be able to pay October, but from then on... nope.

October marks 6 months of a 12 month AST. Should I ask my landlord now if I can give notice? I can offer to pay October, but what then? What if he says yes but pay two months? The agency said if I needed to end early I'd also have to pay landlord fees, but I wouldn't be able to afford that. Unless I could do it by instalments, is that a 'thing'?

I really like my landlord and don't want to mess him around, but I cannot afford to stay in the flat, have zero savings and no credit cards I can use in the interim.

Help!

chalky_white_2

Speak with your Landlord, as this will impact them if not as much as it impacts yourself.

However, before discussing it with them you should consider what you need. Are you able to find alternate accommodation? Because the Landlord may expect you to leave, and if you have no where to go this will cause problems also.

You have two months, think it through for a week, create a plan and then you can discuss this with the Landlord (and anyone else you may need to talk to!).

All the best

aimzee84

Thank you. I can move in with family so I won't be homeless.

I have also applied for a couple of jobs this afternoon, so hopefully I can switch employment and keep the house..

Comms69

The most sensible thing to do is notify your LL. At the end of the day, such a cut in wages may entitle you to support elsewhere.


It may also not be legal, but as you've not provided details I cant comment.

aimzee84

What may not be legal? The cut in hours?

I was notified one month before, and have spent a week trying to find a way around it, but there are no other posts I can be laterally moved across to, so I can take the cut or hand in my notice. The hours may increase again once the vacant Chair I work for is filled, but there is no guarantee when this will be..

Comms69

aimzee84 wrote: »

What may not be legal? The cut in hours? - Yes. How long have you worked there? Have they said why they are cutting them? What kind of contract do you have?

I was notified one month before, and have spent a week trying to find a way around it, but there are no other posts I can be laterally moved across to, so I can take the cut or hand in my notice. The hours may increase again once the vacant Chair I work for is filled, but there is no guarantee when this will be..

Depending on other factors, handing in your notice MAY be preferable.

MovingForwards

Can you claim any top up benefits when your hours/wage is chopped?

Fosterdog

You need to speak to someone who knows more about employment law, particularly if you've worked there a while, try ACAS. Don't hand in your notice or accept the lower contract yet, it may be that if the position you are in currently is being made redundant (no longer existing as a full time role) then you may be entitled to a redundancy payout if you choose to leave. If you hand in your notice too soon you may not be eligible for a payout.

Comms69

Fosterdog wrote: »

You need to speak to someone who knows more about employment law, particularly if you've worked there a while, try ACAS. Don't hand in your notice or accept the lower contract yet, it may be that if the position you are in currently is being made redundant (no longer existing as a full time role) then you may be entitled to a redundancy payout if you choose to leave. If you hand in your notice too soon you may not be eligible for a payout.

Caveat - ACAS first contact is a call centre and the people answering have no specific knowledge on employment law. Some will be experienced and know their stuff, others reading from a script.


Unless the employer pays enhanced redundancy, the pay out is likely to be quite small.


I'd consider this to be more of a constructive dismissal claim - BUT with the caveat that such a claim is complicated and rarely successful so the OP needs to provide lots of infiormation

aimzee84

Thanks all. I work for a large academic institution, so I imagine all things are done by the book, but I will check.

I am on a permanent contract, but it is quite common for hours to be changed (the post I support is a 'Permanent Chair', it has been empty for a couple of months so I expected to be seconded out or similar until it is refilled, this may take months).

I would prefer not to leave, as the benefits/pension etc. are good, and once the Chair is in place they will be on a permanent basis (it became empty due to retirement).

I am hoping my landlord will understand the situation, perhaps let me underpay until the situation reverts back?

My position at work is sought after when fully active, as it is the highest graded admin post, so if I step away I would be hard pushed to get it back..

Comms69

aimzee84 wrote: »

Thanks all. I work for a large academic institution, so I imagine all things are done by the book, but I will check. - Don't count on it, the bigger the organisation the more mistakes are made.

I am on a permanent contract, but it is quite common for hours to be changed (the post I support is a 'Permanent Chair', it has been empty for a couple of months so I expected to be seconded out or similar until it is refilled, this may take months). - Irrelevant. (but you really haven't said much about the contract). How many hours a week? How long have you worked there?

I would prefer not to leave, as the benefits/pension etc. are good, and once the Chair is in place they will be on a permanent basis (it became empty due to retirement). - This big organisation had no contingency plan for something that was inevitable and upcoming?.... see what I mean

I am hoping my landlord will understand the situation, perhaps let me underpay until the situation reverts back? - Exactly, but do check out benefits and also provide details of your employment history here

My position at work is sought after when fully active, as it is the highest graded admin post, so if I step away I would be hard pushed to get it back..

Indeed, BUT you are being pushed. If your contract states a certain number of hours and you have employment rights (and especially if you're in a union, and if not, why not?!) then you have a strong case to challenge this. Your employers short-sightedness should be no reason for you to lose out