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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think this is unfair, and quit my job over it

102 replies

mytartanscarf · 25/12/2014 22:35

I'll try my best not to drip feed.

Okay - I work in people's homes providing care to them. Most calls are 15 minutes so an average shift has between 12 and 15 people on them. We don't get paid for the time travelling between people's homes. So each 15 min call is less than £2.

Now we have phones to log in and out of peoples homes. We won't get paid if we don't use them but get paid to the minute. So if a 15 minute call is 11 minutes we only get paid for that.

Some people take so long getting to the door that it's 2 minutes 'unpaid' time on top of travel time

Aibu to think this is really unfair?

OP posts:
notsogoldenoldie · 26/12/2014 18:27

I agree, mushy. People do not seem to recognise that collective strength and solidarity in the workplace works (waves red flag....). I just cannot get why people don't join unions. But there you go....

GarlicDrankTheChristmasSpirit · 26/12/2014 18:33

Tartan - I'm supporting mushy & co here. Well done for resigning - doing what you need for your own health and wellbeing :) But ... PLEASE STILL RING ACAS!!! First and foremost, they ought to be able to log your complaint and tell you which whistleblower lines to call. Secondly, this might be constructive dismissal; if so, they'll discuss whether you want to pursue it.

But please make the calls, for the other thousands of abused care workers if not for yourself.

raltheraffe · 26/12/2014 19:08

I fail to see how disagreeing with someone's decision equates to berating them. I prefer facts to hyperbole.

elephantspoo · 26/12/2014 19:22

I just cannot get why people don't join unions. But there you go....

Because collectivism is not in the best interests of the individual if that individual wants to succeed.

GarlicDrankTheChristmasSpirit · 26/12/2014 19:40

collectivism is not in the best interests of the individual

Hmm Hmm Hmm

We'll just have to agree to disagree! My best outcomes have almost all been consequences of collective action.

Anyway, OP's already acted in her own interests: she's at liberty to act with & for others.

Original poster
mytartanscarf · 26/12/2014 20:38

I can't believe that because I resigned from my job I'm selfish.

Oh and I don't join a union because I work 10 hours a week on minimum wage and I can't afford to.

Okay? Hmm

OP posts:
elephantspoo · 26/12/2014 20:54

Your first priority in life is to protect and feed your children. After that you have a right to be happy and work as you please. So why give a F what anyone thinks if there is food in your children's tummies and you have a chance to be happier doing something else?

wanttosqueezeyou · 26/12/2014 20:54

Sorry to hear you've had a shit time tartan.

Not terribly helpful but I hate to read these threads where people who are doing an incredibly important, critical job are being treated like shit.

What kind of people are running these businesses? Don't they realise that one day it will be them or their parent who will need a carer? I hope you find something better.

Hedgehogparty · 26/12/2014 21:01

Such an important job but so badly paid, this made me angry reading how you are treated.

Original poster
mytartanscarf · 26/12/2014 21:15

Well I don't have children elephants but I get the gist of your post - I think!

OP posts:
elephantspoo · 26/12/2014 21:18

What kind of people are running these businesses? Don't they realise that one day it will be them or their parent who will need a carer?

Businesses need to run at a profit. Their need for care in the future is irrelevant. Pay for care provision is purely a pragmatic decision based on what the NHS or whatever branch of Govt. Is willing to pay. People are not willing to pay for better care, and so they do not receive better care.

But those doing the work more often than not are better served working elsewhere.

wanttosqueezeyou · 26/12/2014 21:29

People are not willing to pay for better care, and so they do not receive better care.

From what I've seen, its more to do with ability than willingness to pay and the owners of these businesses are creaming off a tidy profit. But that's just my experience...

GarlicDrankTheChristmasSpirit · 26/12/2014 23:42

I can't believe that because I resigned from my job I'm selfish.

Eh? Who said that??

Slutbucket · 27/12/2014 00:38

If you are near leeds I know of outreach work where you stay for a few hours with the clients. We pay travel time too. We are third not for profit organisation.

Custardo · 27/12/2014 00:43

The way the govt have structured 'personalisation' bullshit that not only allows y hi minimum wage bullshit is a fu king disgrace to the care of older people. Fuck you Tories.

GlitterBelle · 27/12/2014 05:03

Have you looked into being a Personal Assistant, and whether it's something you might be interested in?

It's usually older/disabled people and you'd be employed directly.

I have a PA. She does a little personal care - but mostly she cooks basic meals, does very light cleaning, takes me to appointments, helps with my hobbies, goes on days out, comes shopping with me, and generally supports me by doing physical tasks I can't do.

Every person is different and some might be helping people learn skills after a stroke, making sure someone with a learning disability doesn't get taken advantage of, purely personal care or everything but personal care.

My PA works 15 hours - they're set and gets £9 an hour (which will go up to £9.50 when she finishes her probation but she doesn't know that yet, it's a surprise!)

All the contracts are different hours, from an hour a week to full time. Some work for two or three different people to make up the hours and to get a range of circumstances

Most PAs I know find it rewarding, more secure and better treated than working for care companies. It's so much more personal as you're not rushing to do everything in 11 minutes.

Just a thought.

Original poster
mytartanscarf · 27/12/2014 09:19

This is a possibility although those jobs don't really seem to be an abundance round here, I could be looking in the wrong places though.

I've been pretty tired working bonkers hours though so I may well have a bit of a break Wink

OP posts:
Henriettacat · 27/12/2014 09:38

I get direct payments for mental health support. I employ 2 personal assistants and pay £10.00 gross.
There is an agency that does the payroll and brokers staff with clients.
Maybe google could help you find something similar

Original poster
mytartanscarf · 27/12/2014 09:44

All I seem to get on google is adverts from indeed and others. A lot of people seem to want full time hours, which I can't do. Sad

Will keep looking.

OP posts:
FrogIsATwatInASantaHat · 27/12/2014 10:10

Look up diverse cymru. Yes I know you are up north but I would hope there is a similar organisation near you. They have an abundance of hours going as assistants. I wish you all the best.

raltheraffe · 27/12/2014 10:11

"What kind of people are running these businesses? Don't they realise that one day it will be them or their parent who will need a carer?

Businesses need to run at a profit. Their need for care in the future is irrelevant. Pay for care provision is purely a pragmatic decision based on what the NHS or whatever branch of Govt. Is willing to pay. People are not willing to pay for better care, and so they do not receive better care.

But those doing the work more often than not are better served working elsewhere."

I agree businesses need to run at a profit, however they should also operate within the bounds of employment law, which is there to protect the staff.

The problem is there are not enough penalties for businesses who break the law. I once reported a major competitor for refusing to up pay when NMW went up, so the staff were on less than MW. One of my cleaners approached me for advice as she had a second job with them.

The NMW commission said they would write to them. They do not fine businesses unless they repeatedly refuse to pay MW.

So what the competitor did was start paying the correct wage in December 2013 when they should have done it 1st October, and none of the cleaners got back pay to October.

In other words my competitor made a smart commercial decision to break the law as they got away with it.

Original poster
mytartanscarf · 27/12/2014 10:16

Thanks Frog :)

OP posts:
GlitterBelle · 27/12/2014 14:03

There is often a group or charity that helps disabled people advertise the jobs (that the council have commissioned to do so) - and they're often county wide. I.e the one for me is on the website for The Essex Coalition of Disabled People.

Although they do usually put them on the JobCentre Plus website too.

Stealthpolarbear · 27/12/2014 14:09

I know very little about these things but we have a thread like this every few weeks . Utterly Crap that workers are being exploited like this. Is there no body or organisation campaigning against ir?

Original poster
mytartanscarf · 27/12/2014 16:38

It is illegal in April to not pay for travel time Stealth but then I bet councils just won't pay a fuel allowance so it's lose/lose really!

OP posts:
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