To give up a job I hate for a zero hours contract?

[Exploitedteadrinker]

I've been in my minimum wage job for 2.5 years, I used to love it but I just can't face it any more. I hate the company owners, we've had 4 managers in the last year and with each change my role has been curtailed more and more. It's always been quite a toxic workplace, lots of bullying and cliques, but I could brazen it out on my very part-time (16hours) contract. But I've reached my limit.

I've been offered a job that involves all the best bits of what I do, involves working independently in the community, has a much better hourly rate of pay, but is zero hours.

We can survive without my wage but not for too long. It makes things less of a struggle, but we are used to economising. I'm usually very risk-averse.

Help me decide, wise women of MN!

Go for it.

yeah go for it!!

if it doesn't work, you'll find something else !!!

Take the new job! Good luck x

Do it! A change is as good as a rest and all that - and if you don’t get the hours you need you can look for more elsewhere. Be brave and take a leap! Life is too short to be miserable at work

I wouldn't. I suppose I'm not a risk taker.

Yeah, move, your current situation sounds crap! Have a back up plan if the new job doesn’t provide enough hours.

I moved for the same reason to zero hours

Got 5 weeks solid hours

Then mornings only - which lasted 3/4 weeks then back to full time

Zero hours can work and it saved my sanity

I took a zero hour job
Ended up with 40 a week
Pulled in a good wage and ended up moving away but still doing the same job
I’d just go for it

Thank you.

Going to sleep on it, but it's good to know it can work. I'm really excited about the job but nervous about going for it.

I personally wouldn't, just because its very hard for someone on a zero hours contract to get things like sick pay even if they are entitled. It's much more open to abuse by the employer.

haveuheard That's my husbands concern. Although it's hard enough getting sick pay from my current employer anyway, and even the correct pay seems to be a stretch most months.

Could you do the zero hours as a stopgap while looking for something better?

Do you have in writing that they can offer you exactly the work you’ve been promised?
In care work, for example, people are often promised the earth and swap jobs, just to find that the grass was certainly not greener.

KylieKoKo it would certainly give me the opportunity and time to put serious effort into jobhunting, and at least nominally be employed so no gap on the CV.

underneaththeash the job I'm in is so horrible that I'm prepared to take the risk, although I do take your point, I've made that mistake with previous jobs, and I think that's another factor in my hesitation. Better the devil you know?

I'm on a 0 hours contract been there a year. I don't get sick pay but I do get holiday pay.
I average 24 hours a week, sometimes it's 22 and some weeks it's 27 but it all works out at the end of the month.

Definitely go for it.
What are you are describing in your current position sounds depressing and toxic.

Weigh up. What's the worst that can happen?

You jump, then hate it? You don't get regular hours. You this have to look for a new position?

Zero hours contracts should be outlawed for adults. Find something that will give you appropriate benefits (pension etc).

If you're currently earning NMW at 16 hours pw, you're earning £131pw. I would suggest you take the new job and anything you earn over that, put in a separate bank account to draw on in the 'leaner' weeks. Good luck!

Hi

Is it in care? If its for a reputable agency and you have some flexibility around shifts and travel you will be able to have as many hours as you need at a higher rate than most substantive. Agency workers have more rights now including 20 days holiday, contributory pension and SSP if they are earning over the threshold. Plus more freedom

@MT2017 I am on zero hours and contribute to my pension through work.
But oh do I agree with you. I am doing it atm because it suits my life with a toddler but as soon as he is older I am out.
It feels wrong and I never know where I stand.

I agree that zero hour contracts are disgraceful, but then again, so is the way we are treated where I work at the moment. The situation for workers rights in this country is shameful.