Jury service

sunnyflower

Advice please!
I work on a nurse bank (not NHS) so whilst I'm directly employed  it's like a zero hours contract.
I work 1 or 2 shifts a week & only work Mondays & Thursdays.
I've been called up for jury service, so whilst I understand that part timers can claim for their normal working week, it's not clear where someone in my position would stand.
Has anyone else been in this position?
Thanks.

elsien

I think there’s a form that your employer would be asked to fill in to confirm the days that you would normally be working that week. 

LinLui

Unfortunately it isn't that easy on zero hour contracts. Since the employer is not tied to offering any hours,  they can't reasonably say how many hours someone will work on future weeks. So there is no guarantee that the OP would get compensatory pay. I know people who've been refused it. 

I would suggest that the OP ask to be excused on the ground of hardship, and explain that they have a zero hours contract so would be unable to prove lots of income,  unlike an employee, but would have no alternative income. 

Savvy_Sue

I think the starting question is whether or not your employer would be prepared to pay you what you would 'normally' earn, so I would ask them about your specific situation. 

If they won't pay anything, then look at what the court will pay. https://www.gov.uk/jury-service/what-you-can-claim-if-youre-an-employee and note that those rates are the same regardless of whether you are an employee, self-employed or unemployed. But if you attend court and are not needed, you won't get expenses for that day. 

sunnyflower

Thanks, I'll ask my manager. It's a big company so has probably come up before.

LightFlare

LinLui said:

Unfortunately it isn't that easy on zero hour contracts. Since the employer is not tied to offering any hours,  they can't reasonably say how many hours someone will work on future weeks. So there is no guarantee that the OP would get compensatory pay. I know people who've been refused it. 

I would suggest that the OP ask to be excused on the ground of hardship, and explain that they have a zero hours contract so would be unable to prove lots of income,  unlike an employee, but would have no alternative income. 

Totally agree - but that can only be done once.

Depending on the case, there will be a much larger pool than 12 jurors and they will be selected on day 1

You could attend and hope you don’t get picked or if you do, then explain the circumstances. I’m sure they have dealt with it all before

Whatever you decide - you MUST either withdraw or attend. Do NOT just ignore the paperwork and not attend.

Icecream_Gladiator

You say that it's like a zero hours contract, not an actual zero hours contract.

What exactly is your employer's policy on pay during Jury Service?

sunnyflower

Icecream_Gladiator said:

You say that it's like a zero hours contract, not an actual zero hours contract.

What exactly is your employer's policy on pay during Jury Service?

I work as & when required & get paid per shift. I haven't been back to work since being summoned but it's highly unlikely that I'll be paid. If my manager declares my usual shifts I'll be paid the princely sum of about £64 😖