'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 employs the carers?!

What a fucking awful way for your colleague to talk about your client!

I’d be outright refusing to do it, first of all. And I’d be speaking to the client’s family (does she have family?) about that text.

That's awful.

Can you do agency for those 3 Fridays elsewhere?

Sorry I mean I would outright refuse to remain working for them under such treatment. But you’ve already resigned.

If you are self employed then you don’t have to cover surely

You have another job, therefore can’t cover them and that’s what you need to tell them

If they kick off then leave

There is a nationwide shortage of carers. Agencies and private clients will be falling over themselves to employ you.

They’re not doing anything wrong.
Why shouldn’t they go on holiday?
You’re self employed so it was up to you to only accept work with a contract, and stipulating that you should be paid a retainer if holiday forced due their choices.

It’s definitely shit to be out of pocket at short notice (was it short notice?) but it’s not their fault.

I see you’ve quit… now you know what your terms should be for taking on future work.

Could you look for something else? Don’t work for them anymore if you can help it.

I’m not familiar with the caring industry but I often see it posted on MN that there are lots of vacancies in caring.

There are loads of personal assistant jobs going where I live. The people who need the assistance use a 3rd party company to employ the PA's then they pay for the service with their direct payments. Some only a few hours a week but some are looking for more as well, depending on how much help they need. (This may have been how you were employed already) but they get paid holidays too.
It might be worth having a look for something like that in your area.