Working in the care sector and exploitation

Teaforme

Currently working in the care sector as a home carer and feel very underwhelmed. I like the job but I feel these company's exploit the staff to a point staff leave. Apparently 50% of home carers or carers in general leave within a year. I've been in the sector for 3 years but feel my time has come to move on. No paid travel time(I know this isn't actually a legal requirement for company's to pay this) . Half a hour rushed calls, barely any travel time from A to B so your always late. Phone calls constantly to fill in for other staff members, I've just worked 25 days without a single day off due to staff shortages ect. No life work balance. Finishing at 10pm and back out at 7am in the morning. Legally aren't you supposed to get a full 24 hours undisturbed after 7 days work and 11 hours of rest each day from finishing to starting? I know these company's are crying out for staff and it's not there fault in a way but is it any wonder longer serving people are dropping like flies when there exploited and the care industry is in a bit of a mess right now. Unfortunately as rewarding as the job is it's all about the money for the bosses behind the company's they don't value there staff nor value the clients wellbeing.

sangie595

Sorry, I disagree. It's the company's fault in every way. They decide the terms of employment. Nobody forces them to do this. They weren't complaining when their buddies in power dismantled the statutory care sector to destroy conditions and weaken the power of unions to protect staff and services. Unfortunately, neither were the general public who simply saw promised £s in their pockets for voting for that. How's that working out folks?

dawyldthing

Teaforme wrote: »

Currently working in the care sector as a home carer and feel very underwhelmed. I like the job but I feel these company's exploit the staff to a point staff leave.

i think it’s more than this. Folk I’ve seen are lucky to stay 6 months and it’s often not the services, just the hours

Apparently 50% of home carers or carers in general leave within a year. I've been in the sector for 3 years but feel my time has come to move on.

No paid travel time(I know this isn't actually a legal requirement for company's to pay this) . if your invetween jobs I’m fairly sure you should get paid to go between them, plus your hourly rate. You won’t get it from your home to the su house and same going home mind

Half a hour rushed calls, there not all like this. Look into support work. I’ve worked as a support worker for a few years, there’s odd hour, a couple of three hour shifts but a lot are overnight (which you get a sleep in rate pay)

barely any travel time from A to B so your always late. make sure it’s documented. Even if you ring up once a week and say ‘journey between service a and b is 15 minutes but I’m not given any time and su are losing out. They should do something about it

Phone calls constantly to fill in for other staff members, I've just worked 25 days without a single day off due to staff shortages ect. in this job you have to learn the word ‘no’, say you’ve got plans, going out for dinner. If you aren’t careful you can and will burn yourself out. Yes it’s unfair that you have to, but honestly you have to think of number one. It’s a job at the end of the day

No life work balance. make sure you have days off, annual leave. Check what your entitled to and switch your chuffing phone off on the days off. If they have the landline number take it off the hook. If they know you will just go in they will keep trying it on. They need to get more staff, but won’t if they know folk will cover.

Finishing at 10pm and back out at 7am in the morning. as long as you have I think it’s 9 hours undisturbed it’s allowed, it might be 11. Just tell them you can’t start until 9am if so. but don’t do it all the time

Legally aren't you supposed to get a full 24 hours undisturbed after 7 days work and 11 hours of rest each day from finishing to starting?


I know these company's are crying out for staff and it's not there fault in a way but is it any wonder longer serving people are dropping like flies when there exploited and the care industry is in a bit of a mess right now. Unfortunately as rewarding as the job is it's all about the money for the bosses behind the company's they don't value there staff nor value the clients wellbeing.

People are a walking pound sign. But like I said above dolook into different areas. Care homes, support work are often more consistent hours. We sometimes have it the opposite way and have too many hours in one go, but you do do it from time to time, just not all the while. Just think about number one. It’s a job at the end of the day. Like I’ve said above they won’t get more folk in if it looks like it’s being covered

dawyldthing

https://www.litrg.org.uk/tax-guides/disabled-people-and-carers/caring-someone/issues-facing-paid-care-workers

Third paragraph down should help regarding travel time. They do get paid it as they build it in their rate

silverwhistle

As dawyldthing says, learn to say no, firmly. I was also appreciated when I did a bit of P/T support work as I said yes to covering people if I could, even on a Saturday night/sleep in if I wasn't doing anything specific. What are they going to do, sack you, and recruit one of the eager mob wanting your job??