To ask what I should do about this situation at work?

[37jonsialex]

This is a bit boring, but I'm not sure what I should do about this.
For the past year I've been working as a housekeeper for a family 4 days a week. I have a contract with them to do 16 hours pw. I'm not self employed. This is going down to 2 in September, so I've decided to train as a childminder, I'll be registered probably by October. As a result (training, equipment etc) we're skint. Living off about £50 a week plus any money which I get from babysitting.
Back to work situation- a couple of weeks ago (before we got a couple of massive bills) my current boss told me that the family were going on holiday for 2 weeks in august and I could take it off if I wanted (They're very generous like this-, between me and my son, We've had quite a few sick days this year and a few times when we couldn't find childcare, she's let me bring him in or take the day as unpaid leave.). I said I'd like to work it if possible and she said she'd try and find me some jobs to do. But it is two weeks and I really can't see how she's going to fill it. I'm so worried that she's only going to give me a few things to do and assume I'll take the rest as unpaid leave- I really can't afford not to work!
Aibu to think that I should be paid for the full 16 hours pw, regardless of wether or not I have enough work? Or am I being stupid? I feel terrible asking her as they're always so flexible- help!

Don't you get holiday and sick pay? Cos you should, I think?

unfortunately I dont think you have many rights if you dont have a contract!

please try and look for a more grounded contract with sick pay and holday pay, they do exist for houskeepers you know! and you desrve better

see what she offers, even if you get paid 8 hours a week its better than nothing

FYI they are NOT generous

they are asking you to take holiday when they do, so they dont have to pay you
they are making an almost FT employee work cash in hand with fuck all benefits

suggest you learn, move on and look for some decent housekeeping agencies and try and get good reference for these people

where are you based?

I do have a contract!

If you have a contract, then what does it say about holiday pay?

Tbh, I think if they are flexible with you then you should be flexible with them.

They aren't asking you to take a holiday when they do so they don't have to pay you, they just want to only pay you for what you actually do, which seems fair enough. They have said they will find you stuff to do, so go along with that and maybe suggest some other things you could do. Spring cleaning type jobs?

In which it says that I work 16 hours a week. I'm trying to find out about holiday pay and sick leave. I've never taken paid of either. I asked my boss to find out and he never did (even though I pestered him!). He also said he'd make a copy of the contract to give to me (again, never saw that either!)

Legally, what does your contract say? Are they obliged to pay for the hours even if they are on holiday?

Practically, you seem to have a good relationship with them. Do you want to keep this? I couldn't quite tell if you were leaving the job once your are registered as a CM (although, even then you might want them as referees). If so, you may have to take it as unpaid (sorry). What have you done previously when they were away?

What I would do, if I were you, would be to clarify with them what they are expecting re. payment. If they say, oh, we'll pay full amount, problem solved. If they say - oh we'll pay for 6 hours - here are the jobs, then perhaps you can come up with a longer list to fill the hours. Im sure MN can suggest some.

As much as I would love to be flexible with them, I can't afford to take any days unpaid.

Do you not have a copy of your contract already?

You really should have, it's dodgy if you don't.

If they employ you, do you get proper wage slips and pay NI if you earn enough?

Have a look at what the contract says. I also agree about the flexibility thing- not many jobs where you could bring your kid along because your childcare falls through. Also, are you hoping to combine this job with childminding- because again, if you're looking for flexibility, it will pay in the long term to keep good relations .

Fwiw I don't get the feeling your employer is taking advantage. They sound a bit dippy about the contract side, but if you feel overall they are fair employers, its probably worth coming to some mutual agreement. If you push to be paid the full rate when they are away and don't need you, theres a chance they'll pay up but then re consider whether they want to carry on employing you, or indeed whether they could cut your hours even more

It's a tricky call.

I won't carry on once I'm childminding. My hours were cut as they're getting a nanny and won't need as much help. I'm only carrying on until I get mindees. And yes, I get wage slips, pay ni etc.
Thank you for all the advice so far!

Why not just come clean - you can't afford not to be paid, and identify jobs you could do. Ironing, gardening?
Could you make up a few hours when they are back (complete with holiday washing and ironing?) - sorry I don't know if these are jobs yu'd usually do, don't want to offend?
Could you sort out their filing (again, this is a huge trust thing)
Do some cooking for their freezer?
Write and stamp their Christmas cards?

Agree with the last poster about finding jobs you could do - perhaps worth suggesting a few. What about deep-cleaning things like the fridge and the kitchen cupboards, doing all the windows, those sorts of things (sorry, if you already do them, but they aren't everyday jobs in this household!) Surely you can find some grotty, time-consuming jobs that need doing while they are away! Probably not worth haggling over pay and conditions now you are leaving anyway, but don't get taken for a ride again with your new job!

www.direct.gov.uk/en/employment/employees/timeoffandholidays/dg_10029788

*Based on the information provided, the worker is entitled to 64.0 hours' statutory paid annual leave for the year starting 1 January 2012.

This entitlement can include bank and public holidays.*
*

If you only do 16 hours a week, why not suggest you record the hours you do whilst they are away and then 'make up' the unused hours over the next couple of months by doing extra?

By the way, based on the info you have provided I estimate that you are entitled to 100 hours of paid vacation (including bank holidays) per annum.

Based on 16 hrs * .1206 vacation accruing each week = 1.92 hours per week.

(12.06% based on annual entitlement = 28 days holiday for every 232 days work, 28/232 = 12.06% holiday accrual per hr)

Yes I agree with those who have said that you should proactively suggest jobs to fill your hours while they're away - cleaning the oven, deep-cleaning fridge and inside all kitchen cupboards, dusting all books on bookshelves, polishing brass/silver, steam-cleaning carpets (if they are happy to rent a steamer) etc. You could post on the Good Housekeeping to get more suggestions for big once-a-year cleaning jobs.

Do you have the skills to do other things for them? Could you redecorate a room or do some gardening? Do they need any annoying/noisy work done in the house for which you could wait in and supervise the workmen (while cleaning/ironing) so it is all done in their absence?