To be annoyed with work

[Thedarksideofthemoon30]

I started volunteering in January for a company who supports adults with learning disabilities. It was something Iv always wanted to do and I absolutely loved it. After a few months the company said they wanted to employ me and train me up as I was so good. They took me on as bank staff with the view to me becoming permanent in September when youngest dd started school.

Since I started I do a certain Saturday every month as a sleepover. I love it, the clients love it win win. And I do whatever else shifts come up.

They have a system where whatever shifts need covering they send a text to everyone (full time employed as well) and ask if anyone wants any shifts. They texted today and I literally answered within 1 min. She replied all shifts have gone. I asked if the Saturday was spare? But nope it’s gone too, I asked if the Saturday in feb was free and it’s gone to.

I have now go no hours until at least March.
I originally was volunteering at the day centre but there’s nothing there either. Except Iv seen they have taken on a apprentice.

I feel so upset. I was hoping for the contract that was spoken about numerous times. I love the job, I love the clients. I feel really sad about it.

I don’t know what to do :( I really wanted to work more hours. They were desperate for me to start and now it’s like they want me to stop even though they took on staff not long ago.

Most agencies are absolutely crying out for people who want to work in care. You could probably walk into any of the other agencies doing that kind of work in your local area and be offered a job.

Do you think they just have more staff than they need or just that your face no longer fits?

I’m not sure. They took a few more staff over the first lockdown I think

YANBU and I’d suspect you’d been (ab)used as free labour and led down garden path with promises. I would start putting in my CV for an actual paid job.

You couldn't start until September, but they apparently needed more staff before then. So they have filled the roles and you've lost out. I'm sorry it is shit when it works out that way.

What? Who said I couldn’t start until September? Iv been working since March. I could do more hours throughout but not be contracted to certain days until September. So I did Tuesday and Wednesday throughout but if I couldn’t do one Wednesday say then it was fine, where as come September I would be contracted to do those hours if that makes sense.

I think you need to have a conversation with your manager or somone in charge. As you're annoyed but actually don't know what is going on. You need to establish what is happening before getting more annoyed.

Is it a charity or a profit making company? It would be a red flag for me for a profit making support agency to have volunteers.

Your work have been enjoying your free labour. You’ve indicated you want paying so they’ve moved on to someone else’s free labour.

So I whatsapp the owner today and just said

Hi ! Hope you are all ok :)

I was just wondering if there’s any chance I could have more contracted hours in the new year? Or maybe just pick up some more shifts?. I absolutely love working with the clients and can’t imagine working anywhere else. No worries if there isn’t, I completely understand times are hard atm.

Hope you have a fab Christmas! Xx

We have a few work whatsapp groups, but I went it privately.

She read it this morning and didn’t reply.

I don’t know what to do 😔

If you're bank I'd guess they have to give first dibs/priority to contracted staff, and only offer to you if no staff want it. I think that's relatively normal?

Being bank is basically zero hours contract.

Can you apply for an actual job there?

You shouldn’t be whatsapping your manager over a professional matter, especially with kisses.

That’s extremely unprofessional. You need to speak to them directly; if you want written communication then an email is necessary.