employer treats me like a slave, witholding salary

[Lushlolly91]

I work long hours , I am caring, always on time, genuinely care for my clients.
I am a care assistant.

I was initially to be paid on the 18th of each month.
then it was moved to the 26th of each month.
Then it was to be the last working day of the month.

I am still waiting for my complete pay for august (248 hours)

Last month my pay was either late or simply given in dribs and drabs.
I had to borrow money to pay my rent (I live alone)

My employer makes excuses
"i haven't been paid by the council
"i didn't know other employees haven't been paid"

I am living hand to mouth as it is, I am in despair for the last two days, desperate for full payment of my hard earned salary, yet it is not forthcoming.

I must ensure my car Insurance isn't cancelled as I need my car for visiting my clients.

Last month I was forced to ask my nan who is a pensioner to lend me the funds as my rent was due but I hadn't received my full wages, yet again.

Needless to say I am on Zero hours contract, I just don't know what I can do to keep my head above water.

No one cares.

My Employer doesn't care.
He drives his status car around yet his workforce are in despair.

I feel like just giving up.

But I battled through a dysfunctional childhood, to be the mature Independent person I am today.

But AIBU in believing/expecting my Employer to pay my salary on a regular basis each month?

perhaps the employer would like to flog the fancy car and pay you

As a disabled person - I much prefer the direct budget system to agency for the carers as well. If you're in Essex google the Essex Independent Advocacy - they post the jobs. You will then have one employer.

My PA gets paid £9 an hour (as set by the budget, not me). She gets breaks, we go on nice days out, etc. But she works with me part time, and works with other budget holders the other days. Her payment is stable, she gets to know us as clients.

It just seems much nicer than rushing about from person to person with no time for a drink! But not sure how the wage compares? I ask her if I'd like her to work more than her set hours and pay her for it, so take that into account!

Is it RLO? They've had form for this with me too, they're nationwide and a bit too big to care really. Had issues getting local managers to sign off o/time while boss looks a treat in his R8. Didn't mind the low pay until realised how much they get an hour compared to how much "service value" the clients pay for.

So sorry to hear you are having such an awful time OP. I work in recruitment so will try and PM you. I will try and help you secure a role with contracted hours.

Hope you find some help on here OP

that is a great offer ittoo....hope something good comes of this.

today I have the grand total of £1.24 in my bank account.

having spoken to my employer, he said he will put £100 from his "personal account" in my bank at 3.p.m tomorrow.

I have just emailed to say I want/need.

*£650 owing from july by 3pm today.
just waiting to receive a response.

I do have another job offer which I will surely take, but probably couldn't begin until next week.

then I will be owed my whole salary for august, and any time worked this/last week.

if I don't receive july's £650 by 3pm today, I will name and shame the company here.
I am desperate as I live alone, am totally 100% responsible for rent, utilities etc.

ha,him riding around in luxury cars, expensive foreign holidays, and poor staff not being paid.
what a disgrace

Ugh sounds awful, one of the most physically and emotionally demanding jobs and this is how they treat hardworking staff! Hope you get sorted

good on you lolly! I will be looking at 5 past 3. If there are any journos out there. the whole farce of "care" would make a great story.

Sounds awful.

However if the company is going under and in to administration, you will get bugger all until the administrator has taken their cut

Get out now. You might not be able to get the money owed to you but its a mess that needs sorting, I know it feels overwhelming but lots good advice here.

Shameless marking of post - please post a photo of his poncy car as well if you don't get paid.

I'm so sorry for you OP what a shitty situation to be in when you are trying so hard to get your life together. I hope the PP who offered is able to get you a decent job quickly.

Dont let your Nan deal with it.
Dont post his info online.

Phone ACAS now.

0300 123 1100
www.acas.org.uk/index.aspx?articleid=2042

Look up Money Claim Online, the automated County Court service for debt recovery. When you get your first pay in your new job, sue both the company and your boss in person for the debt.
Do NOT post the company online. While it may be going under, it hasn't yet and you don't need a solicitors letter to add to your woes.

That's disgraceful of him -
I hope you've got at least some
Of your pay by now - sounds like yo need to take this other role asap - good luck

yes some excellent, measured responses on here. Not a good idea to name company, although tempting. I sense OP that you are ground down and your confidence is low.

Find a quiet half hour, make a cup of tea and make the calls or go online as as suggested.

There is a way forward.

If you're not getting paid then you're in theory not being paid the minimum wage.
"If you're not getting the minimum wage when you should be getting it, your employer owes you the difference between what you should have been paid and what they’ve actually been paying you."
This even applies if you are on a zero hour contract.
Acas helpline:
Telephone: 0300 123 1100
Calls cost the same as geographic rate.
Open 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday, and 9am to 1pm Saturday.
www.citizensadvice.org.uk/work/rights-at-work/pay/getting-paid-less-than-minimum-wage-or-living-wage/

Goodness me, Roses. You've not just got the wrong end of the stick - it's the wrong bloody stick!

OK keep calm and keep it simple. Get proper professional help.

well, i'm still battling.
I have spoken to acas, they were so helpful.

I have written proof from my employer sent at the end of august, pleading for me to help him out as he needed additional cover.

he writes what a good worker I am and understand that I had worked many hours that week, but he would pay me £50 from his personal account if I would cover 6 additional calls.

I agreed not wanting to let the clients down , even though I was exhausted.

BUT today, he said he will make sure I can't work in this industry.

"he knows who I am planning to work for" and will tell them.(this new employer is still waiting for checks to come back before they can offer me employment)

Also he said "i am not dismissing you, but won't offer you any hours"
my head is spinning again.
I haven't been paid for august, I don't even know if I have work through September.
I have tried so hard to survive, but keep hitting brick walls.

Court papers for everything he owes you, now.

Speak with your new employer and explain what is happening - you don't want that job offer getting withdrawn.

Does your phone have a recording facility? If so then either call him or visit and ask him to clarify what he means by all this, when he said what a good worker you were just last month and knows how loyal you've been and how much he owes you - why is he punishing you because you need to eat? Let him hang himself.

Agree with HeCan't, but he will deny saying this if you don't record it, I suspect. Effectively it sounds very like blackmail - go after your pay and you will never earn any more.