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To think I should have been told I would be expected to work 100 hours per week

10 replies

chaffinch · 20/11/2007 17:02

We have been planning to move the 300 + miles back to our home town for the past 2 years. Finally it all seemed to be coming together - we had found a house to rent that was perfect for us and I had got a fantastic new job after going through 4 gruelling interviews for it. At no point was I told that in the first 6 weeks I would be expected to work 100 hours a week to pass exams and then after this period that 12 hours days plus some weekends would be the norm.

I started the new job (luckily I was staying at a friends house until the new house came through a week after) and quickly realised that no-one else had children and that the reason for this is because the job is just not compatible with having a family. We have now had to stay where we are living, lose our deposit on the new house and DP and I are now jobless as a result. Oh, and because I left this new company within the first 2 years I also have to pay back the cost of the exams which is about £3-400. My friend said she thinks the working hours are probably illegal but they bypassed this by telling us to sign one of the 40 hour opt out clauses. I am just fuming about how all of our plans have now been ruined and just how much money we have lost including the van rental deposit, and the travelling cost of going to all these interviews over the past month or so. It could have been a good job if I were sinlge but with a family near on impossible. Am I right to feel pokers of white hot rage surging through me at the moment?

OP posts:
themildmanneredjanitor · 20/11/2007 17:03

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Elasticwoman · 20/11/2007 17:04

You need a lawyer or a union. Or both.

Next time be more careful what you sign.

Piffle · 20/11/2007 17:07

I think there are EU laws on this unless you are a junior doctor in which case, you have to do it.

chaffinch · 20/11/2007 17:07

IFA. I said in the interviews I don't mind owrking hard which I don't and occasional working over is fine too but 100 hours per week?!

OP posts:
bohemianbint · 20/11/2007 17:09

God, what a nightmare! Can't offer any help but sounds like you've been really unlucky - I hope things get better for you.

dooley1 · 20/11/2007 17:10

what is iFA?

crokky · 20/11/2007 17:12

I would write to the company and tell them that you feel you were constructively dismissed - I don't know anything about the legalities but I think it is when you are forced to leave due to their unreasonable actions (really I don't know, hopefully someone will come along who does).

Say then that you will absolutely not be paying the £300 for the exams because of this and you expect written confirmation that they will be swallowing this cost for you.

Oh and persevere with your move, it will be worth it in the end.

crokky · 20/11/2007 17:13

An IFA company can easily afford to swallow a tiny (to them obv!) sum like £300.

chaffinch · 20/11/2007 17:16

IFA is Independent Financial Advisor - trouble is I signed to say that I would pay the costs back. Didn't think I would have any reason to leave.

Have no internet connection at home as we cancelled it because of the move (aarrggghhh) and am being thrown out of the library but will try to come back on soon.

OP posts:
Elizabetth · 20/11/2007 17:16

working time directive

TUC

employment lawyers

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