Notice period help ?

Banana_Hammock

Hello and good late afternoon to all, 

May I ask for advice on a situation I’m not sure on, I started a new job as an employee (hgv driving) on Nov 1st (couldn’t begin first week due to Covid quarantine) so was not paid for that week (I have no arguments) but on beginning the job I have found out that the hours we are expected to work are maximum of 15hrs a day, it all depends on working time directive, workload and driving time, now I was not told this in a very short and basic interview, I was told in the interview the day rate is £100 and “your usually done by 3pm” (after a 5am start) but in my second week now I’ve not finished before 4pm and even finished at 6pm more regularily with other drivers still not returning until towards 8pm....breaking the £100 down it can go under the minimum wage for the UK, anyhow when I joined I was grateful to get a job so soon after redundancy but I fear my eagerness to continue earning has gotten the better of me and I’ve fallen into a bad business, we are employees...but...they can stand you down for the day if there isn’t enough work, even with on premises notice at 5am so you don’t earn anything at all, how can you be an employee but this be permissible ? Anyhow, I spoke to colleagues on my first few days and they all told me the staff turnover for drivers is astronomical, regularily losing drivers weekly, now my worry is...I have applied elsewhere, had the first telephone interview and await the second zoom call interview tomorrow and fingers crossed I get the role. 

What I would like to know is, when I agreed to work for them they had me sign an A4 contract saying we were liable for truck damages, 30 days notice if leaving etc..but I feel they are not fulfilling employment as it should be with regards to the term “employee” as if a business is not busy one day it’s rough with the smooth surely and employees should be paid, this is more like self employment, I know the UK law is 1 weeks notice upto 2 years worked but with 2 or potentially 3 weeks working (including notice given) am I likely to be held to a 30 day notice even with such a small period of time working for them ? I have an interview tomorrow and if asked when can I start I’m not sure if I say 7 days or 30 days but I’m really unhappy with how my current job is run and with days stood down I’m having my earnings dictated to me, I agree I should have asked more questions but I didn’t know this went on here.  

I am not someone that will down tools and walk away wether it’s a good place or not I like to be professional and leave on good terms and advise them that I have a better career opportunity, I hope, for career enhancements, salary and working hours, could any advice be given on what is best to do (bar find out more on a role before you take it) ? 

Thankyou in advance.