Can I have your opinion please?

hermoine_2

The good news was that I got a part time job - good boost to confidence.

However, went in today to get a start date which would be Monday and it is for 21 hours a week to include weekends.

The problem is that it turns out to be one day every weekend and the shift pattern is that there is no shift pattern you can basically get any shifts any time! So the only certainty is that you have 2 x 7 hour shifts. You can have more if you want - it is in a nursing home.

I seem to have a high proportion of late shifts which would be 3-10 so child care would be needed and that would be £8 per day. I get min wage. I was asked to do Xmas Day but had to say no as my DH is on call all over Xmas and if he did get called away I would never get DD looked after.

So do I want the upset of never having a weekend free, the missing of DH and DD for the evening and the inability to plan more than 3 weeks ahead - the rotas are done 3 weekly.

I will be about £115 a week better off before tax, child care and petrol.

Let me know what you think.

H

hermoine_2

Sorry that is 3x7 hour shifts.

H

Alex_of_Swansea

Well, the late shifts can be sorted out as long as you request now. The three week off duty availability is up to you. I'm currently looking for other jobs as my nursing job only gives that much notice (as well as a bullying issue) and I like to plan my life as much as I can. If it helps, you could talk to the home about working the same shifts each week, which should make childcare planning a little easier.
Why do you have to work every weekend? Is there not enough staff for a rotation system? Will you be asked to do night shifts?
I guess it's up to you. You could always give it a try, see how flexible they are and leave if needed. Or it might work out great!
Ax

Savvy_sewing

Just because you have been offered a job, if it is not the job you thought it was, would it not be better to keep looking for one that is> before you get used to the money, have to pay childcare etc. I would have thought that if the contract is not to your satisfaction you shouldnt sign it?

hermoine_2

Thank you for your input.

The trouble is that they are short staffed and some of the staff are on old contracts so they have fixed shifts ie always mornings and always the same days. Therefore what is left is variable and seem to be more late shifts.

There are some nights on occasion but not until I finish my training. They are sleeping nights and I do not think that they would be a problem.

I was under the impression that I would work some weekends but not all - that is not the reality.

I think Mooloo that you have a point I am worrying over something that is not what I thought and so therefore should have no problem with saying sorry but no thank you.

Trouble is - I feel like I am messing them around as they have already paid for my CRB.

H

grandie

hate to say it, but it seems that it's the last on in get's the lousy shifts.
I used to work in mental health, same thing as you are about to do, it got to the point that I got all the lates and the other staff got what they wanted.
So if I were you I think about it first.
As for the CRB, you could offer to pay them back for that it's about £15 I think.

jessicamb

Hi Hermione

Welcome to MSE

I think your post would get a better response on the employment board so I will move your thread over there.

maverickangel

IMHO they are taking you for a ride TBH.

I've worked in a number of care homes, private and public for a variety of vulnerable groups (older people, people with mental health problems, people with learning difficulties and so on). Certainly in the public sector and in the better run private establishments there was a clear rota for 3-4 weeks in advance, so you could plan your commitments around the shifts. Where shifts were fixed (so each weekend, or 3 lates or whatever) then they were advertised as such.

The fact they are short staffed should tell you something!

There are always plenty of care jobs and I honestly think you would be better off either making it clear that you will only accept the job if the shifts suit your lifestyle, or bailing out and looking elsewhere.

It may also be worth looking at agency care work if you are mobile. The pay rates are good, you can always turn down a shift if it's not convenient and if you find a local care facility which you like you can always look out for vacancies and apply there.

Hope that helps.

Zazen999

Hi.
Don't feel guilty about messing them aroound; part of applying for a job is that you have to decide whether it is right for you.
I think you have already answered your own question, by the language you used you describe it you are not exactly looking forward to it are you???

Go with your instincts - and don't you dare offer to pay the CRB; that's their look out.

top_drawer_2

As for the CRB, you could offer to pay them back for that it's about £15 I think.[/quote]

hi,

its £35 now!!

I wouldnt bother, theyve misled you on what shifts were available. If they had informed you properly of the situation you wouldn't have taken the job.

Jen