Phone sex operators paid less than minimum wage. How do these companies get away with it?

Sofia89

Sorry if this is in the wrong section, I'm new here and didn't know where to put this.

o, I've been working as a phone sex operator now for the best part of a year. I had previously been working in a very demanding warranty management role, resulting in constant stress and depression. Long story short, I gave it up and have since been fending for myself.

I love that I get to work from home, though the pay really gets to me!
There are a few companies I contract for, though the pay is usually set below minimum wage.
Currently the rate is 9p per minute. This can increase depending on the hours you work and the average hold time you get. I've looked at other companies, and most are the same, with a starting rate of between 9-12p per minute! That's between £5.40 - £7.20 per hour.
If I sign in on the system and clock in a full 8 hour shift, I usually only get paid about 6 hours of that time, and there are small gaps of a few minutes between calls.

Now I know this sort of work isn't everyone's cup of tea, and that is fine. But my question is how are these companies getting away with this legally? £5.40 per hour is shockingly bad, and if you take into account the waiting time between calls you are probably looking at more like £4.20 per hour.
If the companies themselves weren't making much money then it would be somewhat justifiable. Though they are taking huge cuts of the revenue 60-90% of the profit. Hardly fair when the workers aren't getting minimum wage.

Is there anything that can be done to make these companies adhere to the law or is there some sort of loop hole?

Thanks in advance

keithdc

Sofia89 wrote: »

Sorry if this is in the wrong section, I'm new here and didn't know where to put this.

o, I've been working as a phone sex operator now for the best part of a year. I had previously been working in a very demanding warranty management role, resulting in constant stress and depression. Long story short, I gave it up and have since been fending for myself.

I love that I get to work from home, though the pay really gets to me!
There are a few companies I contract for, though the pay is usually set below minimum wage.
Currently the rate is 9p per minute. This can increase depending on the hours you work and the average hold time you get. I've looked at other companies, and most are the same, with a starting rate of between 9-12p per minute! That's between £5.40 - £7.20 per hour.
If I sign in on the system and clock in a full 8 hour shift, I usually only get paid about 6 hours of that time, and there are small gaps of a few minutes between calls.

Now I know this sort of work isn't everyone's cup of tea, and that is fine. But my question is how are these companies getting away with this legally? £5.40 per hour is shockingly bad, and if you take into account the waiting time between calls you are probably looking at more like £4.20 per hour.
If the companies themselves weren't making much money then it would be somewhat justifiable. Though they are taking huge cuts of the revenue 60-90% of the profit. Hardly fair when the workers aren't getting minimum wage.

Is there anything that can be done to make these companies adhere to the law or is there some sort of loop hole?

Thanks in advance

Are you employed by the company or categorised as self-employed?

ACG

60-90% of the profit or turnover?
Turnover and profit are very different. They have to no doubt pay for advertising, staff (not just people doing your job but administrators, marketing staff plus whatever other staff they need), tax, IT systems, insurance etc etc.

I am assuming you are on a self employed contract?
If you are, have you checked on the HMRC to see if you should really be an employee? There is a questionnaire which should help.

If you fit the criteria to be self employed, there is your answer. You are employing yourself and you can employ yourself on any wage you like legally.

I suppose the first port of call is to see if HMRC class you as an employee or self employed. If employee, you could argue that you are missing out on holiday pay, sick pay, pension contributions and minimum wage. But as you have been there less than 2 years by the sounds of it, they will probably just ask you to leave and there is not much you can do about it.

Savvy_Sue

ACG wrote: »

I am assuming you are on a self employed contract?
If you are, have you checked on the HMRC to see if you should really be an employee? There is a questionnaire which should help.

If you fit the criteria to be self employed, there is your answer. You are employing yourself and you can employ yourself on any wage you like legally.

I suppose the first port of call is to see if HMRC class you as an employee or self employed. If employee, you could argue that you are missing out on holiday pay, sick pay, pension contributions and minimum wage. But as you have been there less than 2 years by the sounds of it, they will probably just ask you to leave and there is not much you can do about it.

This is where to check your employment status.

Thomas_The_Tank_Top

There have been quite a few sex phone operatives that have posted in the past. Do a search Sofia89. You might find your answer ma'am.

Lisbon

You're self employed - have a look at what you signed up to.