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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think this is very unfair on my boy?

56 replies

Tropicalsunshine · 06/07/2023 15:50

My son is away at uni and like most students has little money. He's a hard worker and had already arranged to start his full time summer job as soon as he got home this week. (Same job as last year)
He was then called for jury service this week for 2 weeks. He has filled in all the forms but apparently because he hadn't done a shift yet at his job he's not entitled to any payment for lost earnings. This has totally wrecked his summer plans as he will be £800 down.
AIBU to think this can't be correct? It's a totally unreasonable way to treat people.
Does anyone in the know have any advice?

OP posts:
Justmuddlingalong · 06/07/2023 15:52

Does he have a contract?

FallopianTubeTrain · 06/07/2023 15:54

Can he defer the jury service?

Hungrycaterpillarsmummy · 06/07/2023 15:56

He should Call the jury office and say he cannot do it for whatever reason. I got out of it when I lived in a village with a baby and no car. I doubt they do background checks etc and although someone does need to do jury duty, someone else in a more suitable position will take his place.

ZeroFuchsGiven · 06/07/2023 15:59

Hungrycaterpillarsmummy · 06/07/2023 15:56

He should Call the jury office and say he cannot do it for whatever reason. I got out of it when I lived in a village with a baby and no car. I doubt they do background checks etc and although someone does need to do jury duty, someone else in a more suitable position will take his place.

You cant just ring up and lie 😂

It takes a lot to get out of jury service, you need a VERY good reason.

TrueScrumptious · 06/07/2023 16:01

ZeroFuchsGiven · 06/07/2023 15:59

You cant just ring up and lie 😂

It takes a lot to get out of jury service, you need a VERY good reason.

Show quote history

I would say that it would cause extreme financial hardship is a good reason.

Original poster
Tropicalsunshine · 06/07/2023 16:04

It started on Monday so he can't defer. It's an hour's journey away and he's been in every day. All that would be ok if he wasn't losing out on his earnings.
He does have a contract but hasn't done any shifts since last September.

OP posts:
BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 06/07/2023 16:07

When did his Jury letter come?

Original poster
Tropicalsunshine · 06/07/2023 16:09

It came after he had arranged to work again this summer. He spoke to his boss who said it would be fine.

OP posts:
Firecarrier · 06/07/2023 16:11

It is disgusting.

My DH got called twice. He was the only earner as I was SAHM. He was self employed and the poxy amount offered didn't cover it. It can really screw self employed people over too.

GeriatricMumma · 06/07/2023 16:12

He could have deferred it?

jay55 · 06/07/2023 16:12

Summer holidays, when a student sounds just about the most convenient time for jury duty to come up.

Hungrycaterpillarsmummy · 06/07/2023 16:15

ZeroFuchsGiven · 06/07/2023 15:59

You cant just ring up and lie 😂

It takes a lot to get out of jury service, you need a VERY good reason.

Show quote history

Well, yes you can actually, ikniw plenty of folk who have. And there were buses to the city from my village so they could've said no but didn't.

Original poster
Tropicalsunshine · 06/07/2023 16:15

Exactly! Summer holidays seemed like a good time.
Deferring until he was back at Uni would have been worse!

OP posts:
Mortgageportgage · 06/07/2023 16:15

That's a stinker for him isn't it?!

If I were in a position to give him the wages he's lost I would as his parent, it seems really unfair, but equally I can understand the perspective of the Jury people who only pay out "known" wages I guess?

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 06/07/2023 16:16

Did he confirm with the employer that he would be paid throughout?

LakeTiticaca · 06/07/2023 16:17

That's a shame. He can claim his travel expenses to and from the court though. If he's lucky a trial might finish early and the jury released. That happened to me in the second week of service, the trial collapsed on day 2 and the judge discharged us, and said we would be paid the full week. I had to ring them twice though to get the correct amount of money paid!!

VisionsOfSplendour · 06/07/2023 16:17

Mortgageportgage · 06/07/2023 16:15

That's a stinker for him isn't it?!

If I were in a position to give him the wages he's lost I would as his parent, it seems really unfair, but equally I can understand the perspective of the Jury people who only pay out "known" wages I guess?

I'd say they have to do it like that to avoid fraud, anyone could say they were just about to start a job

Mummy08m · 06/07/2023 16:18

Not the point of your post I know, but it might be really interesting and a good life experience for your son. Also a way to give back to the community. Doesn't make up for the lost earnings ofc but just a positive way to look at it. Plus I think you don't get called up again for a really long time

x2boys · 06/07/2023 16:18

Has he actually been selected ti.sit on the jury ?
Both my parents have been called for jury service and were let go.after a couple of days as they didn't need them.

Original poster
Tropicalsunshine · 06/07/2023 16:18

@Mortgageportgage a real sininker! I am thinking of giving him some money but it's alot and I don't really have it.
I just keep thinking it cant be correct!

OP posts:
Original poster
Tropicalsunshine · 06/07/2023 16:20

@x2boys he's been in every day. Not selected yet but has to go back on Monday. Makes it worse somehow?

OP posts:
MumblesParty · 06/07/2023 16:21

Will he get any money for jury service? I thought people were meant to be compensated if they lost income

AlfietheSchnauzer · 06/07/2023 16:22

MumblesParty · 06/07/2023 16:21

Will he get any money for jury service? I thought people were meant to be compensated if they lost income

RTFT

InSpainTheRain · 06/07/2023 16:30

That's so annoying for him! My DS (just graduated) was also called but deferred as his jury service started the day I had booked a family holiday for all if us. So now he has it hanging over him and is looking for work. We hope starting a job and jury service don't clash. I'd be inclined to give DS.some cash if you can.

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 06/07/2023 16:34

But the form to fill in for loss of earnings just asks for the employer to complete how much he would have earned that week, that he now can't.

Did the employer refuse to complete it

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