'None of us get paid holidays' Respite carer issue.

[Quatrophoenix]

I am a respite carer for two live-in carers. I work one day a week to give them a day off.

They told me today that they are going on a three week cruise. I will not be paid while they are away. Those three days will lose me £400.

They said 'none of us get paid holidays.'

But I have not asked for the days off as 'holiday' as I work every other week day.

I badly need the money. I have no idea what to do. I am their cleaner too.

Who is your contract with? We are all allowed paid holiday

Surely if you work all three weeks then you get paid for that

Are you employed or self employed?

I hat does it say in your contract?

If you're DBS checked you could probably find agency care work, normally paid weekly or some can even offer same day pay .

What*

It's not clear if you are employed and if so by whom? Or are you self employed?

I'm self employed. No contract. Working for them pre and post-covid.

I work the other four days a week cleaning and caring privately. I can't afford to lose three fridays for no pay.

If you're self-employed you don't get paid holidays/sick days.

I am DBS checked, insured. And love my work. I am disappointed the full-time carer duo can discard me so easily. Doesn't make me feel great.

Unfortunately as a self employed person you don’t get paid holidays.

@DaimDillyDoo

If you're self-employed you don't get paid holidays/sick days.

The full-time carers pay me. They probably know the rules though. Mug me.

Are the full time carers family of the person you care for? Why are they telling you when you work?

Can you not find something else to do those days? Another temp position or something @Quatrophoenix?

Three un-wanted non-paid fridays in a row aren't holidays.

I doubt there is anything you can do as you don't have a contract and are self employed.
Next time you take on a job, write up a contract and put that clients must pay you in such circumstances.

It sounds like a very informal arrangement with no contract.

I think you are going to have to suck it up OP. If you don't want this to happen again though you need to draw up a contract.

@MichelleScarn

Are the full time carers family of the person you care for? Why are they telling you when you work?

No they're not. Good point.

I don’t understand why them going on holiday means you don’t get paid/work?? Do you mean someone else will cover the care whilst they are gone and you won’t be needed? If so, who pays for that?

You don’t seem to understand the implications of being self employed?

It makes you feel like shit because they have the money to go on a cruise and you’re going to be left struggling to afford the bills. You have a personal relationship with them so it really hurts.

You are self employed so you need to tell them you are changing the terms of your contract. From now on you need to be paid every Friday that you available to work as you are holding that day free for them. If they don’t like it they can look for another carer.

The oldie-lovely is going into a nursing home for the three weeks her carers are cruising. Carers suggested I polish her silver for 30 quid one morning.

I think the person being cared for is going into full time care for that period maybe? Or maybe not I’m not clear what the arrangement is and with/for whom?

Cross post. I’ll get me coat.

I resigned.

He said 'you're in no better position as once she's dead we're all out of a job'

I eplied 'dead'
'