Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

I'm about to give birth and were going to lose our home

227 replies

Worriedmumof2dc · 27/03/2019 11:59

DP has just been informed that his hours are being hugely reduced at work. He's on a 30 hour contract but has been working 55 hours a week for the past two years since he was hired. The understanding was that the 55 hours would be standard and consistent, so not to worry about what the contract says as he will always have the 55 hours. The company is a disgrace in how it treats its employees but that's another thread.

This company branch has a new manager who has now decided to reduce him to just his contracted hours to save money, he's forced to accept that as per the terms in the original contract.

The problem is his amended wage won't cover our outgoings. We will lose our home eventually, we are safe for another month and a half maximum by which point we will have a baby of a couple of weeks old. I'm at home with a 15 month old and am about to give birth to our second in less than a month so the timing couldn't be worse. I can't realistically go back to work yet and by the time I can, we'll owe the landlord alot of money in arrears.

My hands are tied as to what I can do to help, I feel useless. We have no savings and no family help. I'm worried we will lose our home. It's inevitable isn't it.

He's applying like a mad man for every job he can find, but we're worried.

I can't claim benefits because he works and even with the amended wage will earn over the threshold in which we'd be eligible for anything, despite the lower wage not being enough to cover the costs of living in our London flat.

We have no savings Sad

Please somebody tell me that we can't be made homeless with a newborn and toddler. I'm scared.

OP posts:
choosingchilli · 28/03/2019 07:42

I agree don't hand the letter in, this is exactly the type of things unions are there to help with.

AnotherEmma · 28/03/2019 07:46

Why is everyone going on about unions?
Has the OP said that her partner is a union member? I must have missed it.
I would never assume as most minimum wage retail workers are not in unions!

IvanaPee · 28/03/2019 07:47

She said he’s in a union.

OP, tell him not to hand in that letter. Straight to his union.

AnotherEmma · 28/03/2019 07:56

Oh ok sorry.
Yes madness to do anything before getting advice from them.

givemesteel · 28/03/2019 08:09

In your situation I'd be looking into a wholesale change and move up north, have a look on rightmove to see what you can get somewhere like Preston or Hull for instance.

Minimum wage is the same everywhere in the country, and whilst it's doable in some parts of the country it's not enough for one income to support a family in London.

I know you say you've got family ties but that doesn't outweigh having a roof over your heads and a semblance of quality of life. If it is an elderly relative who's dependent on you they may be can move with you.

Look at all your options and think outside the box. You've got two kids who will only get more expensive, you've got to think about what is sustainable in the future.

Good luck, op

DSHathawayGivesMeFannyGallops · 28/03/2019 08:30

Definitely don't hand that in yet, check with the union first!

Since he's in retail, check out the Retail Trust charity, too. They're there to support and advise retail workers so they may be able to assist you. They're quite good in emergencies, I think. Also, if he's a supervisor with 2yrs exp and runs night shifts, it's worth putting his cv on retail job websites if he hasn't already. Might get better interest. If he's unsure about his CV, union or RT may be able to help him boost it so he looks great on paper. Would he consider working up to being an Assistant Manager or similar? Or taking a position like that if it came round? It's more pressure but better pay- I was salaried as an ASM as opposed to £ph as a Supe.

Kabloom · 28/03/2019 12:17

Definitely get advice from someone who can review his contract in full. Whether union or ACAS helpline. It makes a difference whether he has 2 years’ service or not and what his notice period is. If he’s just under 2 years he won’t have anywhere like the same rights. Having been through difficult situations as an employer and employee I’d say think about moving forward rather than any sort of prolonged legal fight. It can really take it out of you mentally and financially. Challenge it but think more about the future - new job, any benefits available, moving if necessary and when you can. I’d second putting cv on something like Reed - recruiters do pick up on it.
And when I was in a difficult situation a friend said ‘we are ok today and will be ok tomorrow’. Really helped me mentally.

Worriedmumof2dc · 28/03/2019 13:44

Haven't caught up with replies yet just wanted to give a quick update

Manager has come back this morning and offered him a 40 hours per week contract on a day shift with potential overtime of 10 extra hours when it's available. He said he will have it written up in contract if he accepts.

He'll be taking home approx £1200 after tax, that being said he can just about make the rent.. panic over to an extent.

It's not ideal but means we don't need to worry about losing the flat in the mean time.

We're going to apply for UC and see what help we can get with his new amended income.

Thanks for all the replies and advice you've been very helpful

OP posts:
Tink2007 · 28/03/2019 13:50

On a wage of just under £1.5k you would be eligible for benefits so definitely would be under £1k.

Worriedmumof2dc · 28/03/2019 13:54

He's going to accept the offer and continue applying for other jobs until he gets offered something else, then he's going to hand in his notice and leave.

I'll be glad when he's rid of that place it's been headache since day one.

Hopefully sometime better comes along soon, he's applied for everything online within a reasonable.

OP posts:
buzzbobbly · 28/03/2019 14:00

I'll be glad when he's rid of that place it's been headache since day one.

Perhaps try and reframe this whole episode into a much needed arse-kick for him then? He was plodding along hating it for so long - now he has the motivation to get out!

IvanaPee · 28/03/2019 14:01

That’s really good news, Worried! Takes the pressure off a bit.

SnapesGreasyHair · 28/03/2019 14:22

Still look at getting the high interest loan sorted too

AnotherEmma · 28/03/2019 16:07

^Yep!!

snarfblatt · 28/03/2019 16:09

Good news OP! Hope he finds something better soon - sounds like he's got plenty of experience to apply for something more senior and hopefully better remunerated (and with better hours) Smile

Puzzledandpissedoff · 28/03/2019 16:34

Genuinely very pleased for you both, OP. Frankly the company didn't deserve him in the first place and I really hope he can either get the new agreement in writing fast, or preferably get out completely

Friends who've worked there tell me they have a record of promising things one day and snatching them back the next, and I'd hate this to happen when you've both behaved so reasonably

DrinkFeckArseGirls · 28/03/2019 16:39

That’s really good news, OP!

livinglongerwithcalgon · 28/03/2019 16:43

I’ve read the full thread and glad to see OP that the immediate pressure is off Flowers

I didn’t see a mention of 30 hours childcare (you mentioned childcare costs for your eventual return to work). It’s not perfect but every little help. When your eldest is approaching 3yo look into your eligibility requirements (link here). It basically enhanced the standard 15 hour entitlement to 30 hours; in a household like yours usually both partners are expected to be in work, and there is a minimum household income required to be eligible. You confirm you are still meeting these requirements every three months. When the younger one approaches 3yo then the same applies. Obviously it doesn’t solve all childcare needs especially for under 3yo, but it’s something to bear in mind for future. There is an online calculator to help understand your potential eligibility/what you would need to become eligible. Some 2yo are entitled to free hours as well, but I’m not sure what the criteria are (it all changed when they brought in the 30 hours offer for working parents, it used to be available for working parents on low incomes and a benefit eg tax credits, but info should be available on the same link).

MyDcAreMarvel · 28/03/2019 16:57

Op I wouldn’t advise applying for UC on that wage yes you will probably get some small help withrent but you will get no money for five weeks. Plus the amount of UC not including rent money will be less than tax credits. You will be subject to conditionality and stress it’s jyst not worth it in my opinion. If your dh only had 30 hours then yes.

Moondancer73 · 28/03/2019 17:03

I think it's worth you double checking now that his hours are going to change whether you will be entitled to working tax credits. Nothing to lose.

ThisMustBeMyDream · 28/03/2019 17:41

She still needs to apply for UC or she will not get help with her extortionate (!) rent. She will be hundreds and hundres worse off on just tax credits.

ThisMustBeMyDream · 28/03/2019 17:44

Conditionality wont apply to her if her partner is working 35 hours x national minimum wage.

MyDcAreMarvel · 28/03/2019 19:12

Not yet but in just over three years it will. Actually sooner in “ preparing for work”.

ThisMustBeMyDream · 28/03/2019 20:00

She has already said she wants to go back to work. So it won't matter. It also won't apply if her partner earns 35 +16 at nmw. So in 3 years if he has built his wage up, it won't be an issue.

ChampooPapi · 29/03/2019 11:01

I honestly would stay on tax credits, once you move you can never go back and so many people are actually worse off. Plus with those hours, full time, even on minimum wage he WILL NOT BE ENTITLED TO ANYTHING.

Honestly people saying universal credit Confused she is not entitled people her husband works full time, she is not looking for work (pregnant) no one is disabled ect in the family.

RING TAX CREDITS FOR GODS SAKE

Swipe left for the next trending thread