Boots demanding overpaid amount for full-time contract, when in real I was on zero-hour contract.

Solo_traveller

Hey everyone,

I really hope someone can help me.

I joined Boots in 2012 as a part-time, contracted 15 hours. In 2016 I went travelling changing my contract hours to zero-hours. After coming back from travelling I went back to Boots in zero hour contract, with random days off, different working hours and only working when Boots needed me etc . After few months of working, I walked out of Boots, because my Store Manager yelled at me on shop floor in front of customers and colleagues, with no respect, because I wanted to move to different place in two weeks time and it was a short notice because Boots was under staffed.

But as far as I know, I can leave work without ever giving notice in zero-hour contract.

Now after 12months of leaving Boots I received a letter saying, I have been overpaid and wants me to repay them back £360 pound, because I was a full-time contract. But I never SIGNED any contract that said I was a full-time, all the colleagues knew I was on zero-hour contract.

I emailed the company who is handling this case, I told them I was on zero-hour contract, I explained everything, I even sent pictures of chat conversation with my friends long-time ago, where they have mentioned me begin on zero-hour contract. Even on my old payslips, it only shows the hours I have done as O.T. and doesn't show any hours as 37.5 full-time. I even mentioned on email that my line manager, she clearly stated I would be on zero-hour contract.

Today I received an email from the company totally ignoring everything I said on my previous email and only stating you have been over-paid, and please pay within 14-days or set up monthly instalment.

I think this is unfair, any advice or help will be much appreciated.

Addition info,

After coming back from travelling, I used to do 65 hours a week, Mon-Tues-Fri I worked from 7am to 9pm. Wed, Thurs and Sat 7am - 4pm, and Sun 9am - 6pm. I only had one day off every two weeks. I was doing these hours to save money for my next travel trip.

Comms69

Ask them to prove the debt. Sending chat logs or whatever sounds totally desperate

Brynsam

Comms69 wrote: »

Ask them to prove the debt. Sending chat logs or whatever sounds totally desperate

Absolutely agree. Ask them to send you full written details of the amount they are claiming, together with details of of how this alleged overpayment arose.

sangie595

Agreed. The entire posted information is all a red herring, as is what kind of contract you were on. The only thing that matters is whether you were paid for hours that you didn't work. If you did, they will be able to show that.

Solo_traveller

Comms69 wrote: »

Ask them to prove the debt. Sending chat logs or whatever sounds totally desperate

I did ask them I wrote this to that company

"I will appreciate if Boots can send me a copy of full-time contract after coming back from travelling signed by me as well as the payment details, from 20th January 2017 to the day I left the job 12th June 2017 all in black and white"

and again the company didn't provide me with full answer,

this was the reply "Many thanks for the email, to view a copy of your contract you will need to contact the store where you worked.

These are held locally and not by Head Office".

The company has not answered anything about the payment details. Like previous emails they ignore my questions. It's their job to investigate the case thoroughly.

I don't want to waste my time calling Boots, its their jobs.

Solo_traveller

sangie595 wrote: »

Agreed. The entire posted information is all a red herring, as is what kind of contract you were on. The only thing that matters is whether you were paid for hours that you didn't work. If you did, they will be able to show that.

I did ask them I wrote this to that company

"I will appreciate if Boots can send me a copy of full-time contract after coming back from travelling signed by me as well as the payment details, from 20th January 2017 to the day I left the job 12th June 2017 all in black and white"

and again the company didn't provide me with full answer,

this was the reply "Many thanks for the email, to view a copy of your contract you will need to contact the store where you worked.

These are held locally and not by Head Office".

The company has not answered anything about the payment details. Like previous emails they ignore my questions. It's their job to investigate the case thoroughly.

I don't want to waste my time calling Boots, its their jobs.

Comms69

Sorry to sound brutal but you’re making yourself look silly.

Paraphrased slightly it’s this simple. I believe national debt line have a template, but that’s usually for consumer credit debt. -

Dear company,

I have received your correspondence but dispute the debt.

Pleas provide proof of the alleged debt. All other correspondence will be ignored.

Regards

Solo traveller.




But on a side note, no it’s not their job to investigate anything.

sangie595

Solo_traveller wrote: »

I did ask them I wrote this to that company

"I will appreciate if Boots can send me a copy of full-time contract after coming back from travelling signed by me as well as the payment details, from 20th January 2017 to the day I left the job 12th June 2017 all in black and white"

and again the company didn't provide me with full answer,

this was the reply "Many thanks for the email, to view a copy of your contract you will need to contact the store where you worked.

These are held locally and not by Head Office".

The company has not answered anything about the payment details. Like previous emails they ignore my questions. It's their job to investigate the case thoroughly.

I don't want to waste my time calling Boots, its their jobs.

And that is equally irrelevant. You've been told what to do. What kind of contract you had is irrelevant. The only relevant issue is whether you were overpaid. People on zero hours contacts can still need overpaid. So you ask them to evidence the overpayment. You need nothing else other than that evidence.

Solo_traveller

Comms69 wrote: »

Sorry to sound brutal but you’re making yourself look silly.

Paraphrased slightly it’s this simple. I believe national debt line have a template, but that’s usually for consumer credit debt. -

Dear company,

I have received your correspondence but dispute the debt.

Pleas provide proof of the alleged debt. All other correspondence will be ignored.

Regards

Solo traveller.




But on a side note, no it’s not their job to investigate anything.

Aah, right I will do that like you have said and ask them to prove it, otherwise all correspondence will be ignored.

Many thank you for your advice, much appreciated.

Solo_traveller

sangie595 wrote: »

And that is equally irrelevant. You've been told what to do. What kind of contract you had is irrelevant. The only relevant issue is whether you were overpaid. People on zero hours contacts can still need overpaid. So you ask them to evidence the overpayment. You need nothing else other than that evidence.

Like you have said and other members have mentioned I will ask them to provide me with evidence and wait for their reply.

Thank you for your advice.

elsien

Do you still have your final payslip and does it tally with the hours you believe you worked.