zero hour contract hell

[malificent7]

So i am now working at a higher level ( lecturer) after being a TA for a few years. I want to retrain next September.
However I am on a zero hour contract through an agency. If i dont comr to work i dont get paid.
I have laryngitus and can hardly talk and a whole day of teaching ahead of me. I should stay at home and rest my voice but if i do i wont get paid and wont ve able to pay rent.

It is shite isnt it. I will be dpending tomorrow looking for better contracts and applying to retrain via ucas.plus i only have 9 hours of teaching and have to make up the hours with care work....again on zero hours.

Am i making excuses or are zero hours common now? Am i not working hard enough so that's why i cant progress?

I have permanent contract it states no sick pay for one year. However I would expect statutory sick pay. Ive had one day off for dentist and had to book holiday

I have got a contract but no sick pay, I've been off once in 3 years but been to work when I am ill a few times. I've got no choice as I can't afford to lòose a days lay. I dose up and count the hours till home time

*pay

I dont get sick pay as self employed. Re zeros hours contracts are evil etc comment...i know students who love them as they can work well around exams, coursework...and mums with children who just turn down work in school holidays.

You want to get paid for not working ? and they wont ?
and you are complaining ?
Its a travesty, get in touch with the UN or something.

How would you like it if you worked and they refused to pay ? People who get sick pay get slightly lower wages..there is no such thing as a freebie

Zero hours contracts are evil, immoral and bad business practice. They should be banned

LOL's

I know loads of people that LOVE them! They wouldn't be able to work at all if they were forced in to contracted hours as they work around studying and/or childcare.

According to this, you are entitled to sick pay OP

worksmart.org.uk/work-rights/young-workers/working-students/ive-got-zero-hours-contract-am-i-entitled-any-holiday-or

am contracted to work 40 hours a week, permanent staff member and don't get paid for the first 5 days absence. SSP kicks in after that.

Something is very wrong here - you should get SSP from the 4th day.

There may be people who they suit. However, not anyone who needs a regular, guaranteed income to cover rent/mortgage, bills, childcare.

For that reason alone, I'm strongly anti them. Fine if they're voluntary, but workers and their families deserve better than that.

According to this, you are entitled to sick pay OP
Only after her 3rd day in a linked period. Odd days will be unpaid.

For that reason alone, I'm strongly anti them. Fine if they're voluntary, but workers and their families deserve better than that.

I understand that, but they should not be banned. It's a good way for so many to work around other things.
Perhaps it should be that a company cannot exceed a certain % of zero contracted employees on their books at once, and contracts reviewed to go fixed term after X amount of time. Something like that.

Although that would be a ball ache for me to police here! Most of our zero hour lecturers love the flexibility.

I have been working for a company, zero hours for 5/6 years. It has suited me and I love the people I work with. This year they have decided to make it for full time staff only on a fixed term contract. I work whenever I like for whatever hours I want. I usually work 9-1. The new full timers will be offered the work and we will no longer be offered work, just like that! I cannot work full time; due to ill health. It is really like a kick in the stomach.

It is ok but not when they end it and you have to train the very people who will take your job! Sickening. I suffer with anxiety and it is making me feel so ill.

It’s all very well saying “I can’t get sick” but all it takes is a car crash/RTA/cancer and you could be off work for weeks only getting paid SSP.

I'm on a permanent contract. The company stated no sick pay for the first year

I have a 40 hour contract, had to take monday afternoon and yesterday off sick - I won't get paid. It's not unique to zero hour contracts

Dont get too attached to your zero hours contracts. They will not last forever. I have got too attached to mine, as been there for nearly six years!