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:

JudgeRudy · 06/07/2023 21:08

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.

Yes, I'd go for that angle. Depending where the court is (let's say your home town town) I'd let them know that he cannot get from uni to court in time. They can't just assume he's staying at yours rent free.

Needmorelego · 06/07/2023 21:12

@JudgeRudy I think it’s a bit late. He started on Monday I think (according to the OP). He is pretty much half done.

Original poster

Tropicalsunshine · 06/07/2023 21:19

@Needmorelego
Of course they've improved since your day. 🤔 Have you seen the news? Inflation is a thing.
Are you really saying that traveling 2 hours a day to sit in a room, not be used and not be paid and miss out on earning doesn't sting? Glad you would be so happy with that.
He's very lucky to be living with us, we will feed him etc. etc.
It's July he's back early September. He was hoping for a 2 week holiday with his girlfriend which gives him 6 weeks to earn.

OP posts:

Needmorelego · 06/07/2023 21:28

@Tropicalsunshine apologies if you think I am being flippant about the wage. I personally think it’s a good wage for a “holiday job”. That’s similar to what a lot of people earn for a permanent full time job. That’s why I was a bit surprised at the amount he is earning.
To be fair if he was going to have money “spare” for a 2 week holiday then he hasn’t lost as much (a holiday is a “nice to have” not essential like rent/bills/food).
Hopefully it will all be an interesting experience for him.

IBetGordonRamsayDoesntHaveTheseProblems · 06/07/2023 21:56

Needmorelego · 06/07/2023 21:03

@Tropicalsunshine wow wages for summer jobs have certainly improved since my day. So if he wasn’t doing the Jury Service he would be earning £1600 a month? That’s a lot for a summer job.
How long is he off university? If it’s 3 months he would be earning £4800 for the summer. Even with the loss of the 2 weeks £4000 is pretty good.
What does the money need to cover?

Adult minimum wage is £10.42 per hour so it's not vastly over the legal minimum.

£1600 per month only equates to a £19,200 annual salary.

He's not raking it in, he's scraping by, everything has gone up enormously.

determinedtomakethiswork · 06/07/2023 22:35

It really pisses me off, because I've never been asked to do it!

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