zero hour contract forced to work Christmas

bargainbunny

yes they will need me, I prefer to have back up so need to find my staff handbook etc, I feel I have been fair as I am on wake night shifts for the whole New Years for 4 in a row, I just don't like the bad feeling when its meant to be a happy time of year for me. I asked to do a sleep which is normally not ideal but they do allow it often but was told by my boss it has to be a-wake night, despite half the clients not even being there.
We have 2 staff on and often if staff shortage or double shift we are allowed to do this.
I do feel that my family event is private but they want proof of the invite.
I could get another job but I have just been promoted to senior and got through all the training

emberzburnout

bargainbunny wrote: »

yes they will need me, I prefer to have back up so need to find my staff handbook etc, I feel I have been fair as I am on wake night shifts for the whole New Years for 4 in a row, I just don't like the bad feeling when its meant to be a happy time of year for me. I asked to do a sleep which is normally not ideal but they do allow it often but was told by my boss it has to be a-wake night, despite half the clients not even being there.
We have 2 staff on and often if staff shortage or double shift we are allowed to do this.
I do feel that my family event is private but they want proof of the invite.
I could get another job but I have just been promoted to senior and got through all the training

Proof?!

I'd laugh in my managers face if they asked me for proof.
You're not available for all those hours, simple as that.
If they want to mandate you, they can offer you a full-time contract.

Don't be bullied. Don't worry.
If you can live with one nights less wage - just have the night off.

Undervalued

emberzburnout wrote: »

Proof?!

I'd laugh in my managers face if they asked me for proof.
You're not available for all those hours, simple as that.
If they want to mandate you, they can offer you a full-time contract.

Don't be bullied. Don't worry.
If you can live with one nights less wage - just have the night off.

Very easy to offer this sort of nonsense "advice" to somebody else with no regard to the possible consequences!

The OP is on a zero hour contract. OK, they are not obliged to work. Nor are they obliged to provide proof of why they don't want to work. But equally the employer is not obliged to offer them any work ever again!

So it is a balancing act. If they are a good worker and show reasonable flexibility the employer will be keen to keep them. If they don't the employer will tend to give the work to somebody else.

You may not like the setup but that is the reality of how it is. If the OP prefers they can look for an alternative job with fixed hours if they can find one. However that has for and against too!

xapprenticex

SandraX wrote: »

These zero hours I think most supermarkets do them as it save them giving you pension contributes via zero hours or giving you about 8 hours officially and the other hours unofficially hence not contributing to your pension. Not sure but I think you have to be working 16 hours to get a contribution offyour employer.

Sobered up yet?

xapprenticex

emberzburnout wrote: »

Proof?!

I'd laugh in my managers face if they asked me for proof.
Bo###x

Don't be bullied. Don't worry.
If you can live with one nights less wage - just have the night off.
Nice of you to provide op with a security blanket , if they get sacked or no more hours YOU will be there to offer financial support. good of you.

there you go, win/win for OP

emberzburnout

I'm a Night Carer (currently on maternity leave) , I know this industry.

I already said, her place of employment will need her, I think it's highly unlikely they'll sack at at the expense of having to get new staff in.

By all means, continue to advise her into be being threatened/bullied in the work place.

dawyldthing

You need to say what your doing isn’t either/ or, your doing both while a lot of the other 19 are getting away with blue murder (as if your on nights then your finishing in the morning, so it’s still a working day and not a day off).

I’m another for second in future by email/ WhatsApp/ text if needed, depending on how you message bosses. But I don’t think I’d be happy doing both as ultimately you are.

Zero hours can get pension contribution btw. I’ve paid mine when I’ve earnt over during this last 2 years. We still have most rights other than guaranteed hours pretty much

getmore4less

bargainbunny wrote: »

yes they will need me, I prefer to have back up so need to find my staff handbook etc, I feel I have been fair as I am on wake night shifts for the whole New Years for 4 in a row, I just don't like the bad feeling when its meant to be a happy time of year for me. I asked to do a sleep which is normally not ideal but they do allow it often but was told by my boss it has to be a-wake night, despite half the clients not even being there.
We have 2 staff on and often if staff shortage or double shift we are allowed to do this.
I do feel that my family event is private but they want proof of the invite.
I could get another job but I have just been promoted to senior and got through all the training

You know your current employer and if they get petty over availability by getting rid of people.

Are they short and keep people that are not as flexible as you other times then chances are they will keep you as well.

You can decide if this is important enough to make a stand, if it is not this time when will it be.

They also have this investment that has got you the senior position/pay.

You can also sell yourself for the better paid jobs in the market with this

There is time to get another Zero hours as a back up if they will cut/stop your hours, very few areas have the care sector fully employed so plenty of work around.

If they want people on Zero hours they have to accept they are offering work and it can be turned down.

They asked for availability which gives a pre acceptance of any work offered, any other days are by mutual acceptance.

bargainbunny

Hi I got given a response that handbook is being updated so I could not read it but in time I will find mine. I have managed to get my work mate to cover it so am well happy now

Undervalued

getmore4less wrote: »

You know your current employer and if they get petty over availability by getting rid of people.

Are they short and keep people that are not as flexible as you other times then chances are they will keep you as well.

You can decide if this is important enough to make a stand, if it is not this time when will it be.

They also have this investment that has got you the senior position/pay.

You can also sell yourself for the better paid jobs in the market with this

There is time to get another Zero hours as a back up if they will cut/stop your hours, very few areas have the care sector fully employed so plenty of work around.

If they want people on Zero hours they have to accept they are offering work and it can be turned down.

They asked for availability which gives a pre acceptance of any work offered, any other days are by mutual acceptance.

But in the real world they don't. It depends entirely on how easy it is for them to find good people. If it is easy, then the employees need to be extra flexible to get regular work. If it is difficult then the employer has to bend over backwards to entice decent people to work when required.

My next door neighbour does zero hour work, is diligent and hard working and is willing to work some horrible hours. Her employer sends taxis to collect her at 5am and to bring her home from other shifts that may finish in the early hours. But this is in an area with very full employment and a shortage of good staff willing to do these sort of jobs. It works both ways.