Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To find this a bit petty that I wasn't paid?

56 replies

Spinelli99 · 28/08/2023 09:19

It's in a job which I am thankfully leaving soon, in domiciliary care.
I had a call scheduled for yesterday morning at 6:15am which is ridiculous. This particular client doesn't even get up that early, he usually gets up for 8 he says.
The company will just squeeze calls in at random times wherever they will fit.
Anyway I arrived to his at 8:45. I wasn't aware until yesterday but if you arrive more than 2h after the designated start time you don't get paid for it. It was an hour call so I lost £11 or thereabouts.
Ultimately £11 isn't the end of the world.
However he's on my rota for tomorrow for 8:30am. So if I went tomorrow at 8:45 I'd have no problem.
I only found this out because I noticed the scanning option had disappeared when I got to his. I asked the manager who informed me that I was very late to his house therefore I wouldn't be paid.
Aibu to think this is daft? It's one of many reasons why I'm leaving the company.
The other night they sent me to someone's house for 22:15pm. Many people are in bed at that time and get frightened of people coming to their house that time of night.

OP posts:
TotalOverhaul · 28/08/2023 09:22

i think it would have been sensible to question the early schedule and point out that it would be a wasted call as he'd not wake up, so suggest a later schedule. if you and he were free at 8.45, that made far more sense.

But yes, leave them if they insist on following schedules that only work on paper.

Trevorton · 28/08/2023 09:23

When are you leaving? How much notice do you have? I think if it were me I would just leave now as I’d be so incensed at the pettiness for such a low amount and the reasons you state but that’s probably a dick move.

Original poster
Spinelli99 · 28/08/2023 09:24

I had 8 morning calls with the last one finishing for 11 so they'd just squeezed it in wherever.
I should've questioned it though you're right.
Like they put this lady's lunch visit for 12pm one day. I got there at 1:15 due to calls running over and I was told off for being late. On another day the lunch call was scheduled for 1pm.

OP posts:
Original poster
Spinelli99 · 28/08/2023 09:25

Despite being a 0 hours contract and me being in my probation they have the check to ask for 1 month notice (which I've given) I'd rather just leave sooner but don't want to let the clients down and also they threaten in the contract to withhold wages (whether that's legal or not)

OP posts:
Trevorton · 28/08/2023 09:26

Normally in probation period it’s a week.. personally I would just go and leave them to it.

Original poster
Spinelli99 · 28/08/2023 09:28

It should be a week, they've got a bloody cheek. I'm just worried about them deducting wages as I'm short on money, that's the reason I'm waiting it out.

OP posts:
Morph22010 · 28/08/2023 09:28

They are most probably breaking minimum wage regulations if your total pay divided by the number of hours you actually worked (not paid hours) comes to below minimum wage, report them

3rdtimemumma · 28/08/2023 09:29

I'd apologise for arriving late but say you thought you did it in the best interests of the patient as their well-being is important to you. And since you did the work, you're entitled to the pay and won't do it again. Sounds a horrid employer.

Original poster
Spinelli99 · 28/08/2023 09:30

Do you mean if they were to deduct the money from my wages for not doing the full notice? Yes I should double check the laws around that.

OP posts:
donquixotedelamancha · 28/08/2023 09:30

It's not legal for them to refuse to pay you. Challenge it in writing.

Original poster
Spinelli99 · 28/08/2023 09:31

Yes you're right I still completed the call. It's wrong.

OP posts:
RadioFoot · 28/08/2023 09:32

Assholes. Sorry you're stuck in this job :(

3rdtimemumma · 28/08/2023 09:33

Morph22010 · 28/08/2023 09:28

They are most probably breaking minimum wage regulations if your total pay divided by the number of hours you actually worked (not paid hours) comes to below minimum wage, report them

Edited

Yes, I wondered this! Check out what you should be earning (age-dependent). It does sound a really bad employer.

Original poster
Spinelli99 · 28/08/2023 09:33

I've just re read the contract and if you have any missed calls, which mine is classed as even though I still completed the call, you will lose your monthly bonus. So I've lost 35p an hour for the month apparently. Why did I ever sign up to this job.

OP posts:
IncognitoMam · 28/08/2023 09:33

I'd be asking cqc to check this out as going that late sounds dodgy? You could terrify someone.

Judashascomeintosomemoney · 28/08/2023 09:34

Spinelli99 · 28/08/2023 09:31

Yes you're right I still completed the call. It's wrong.

I think PP had a very good point regarding minimum wage. On the day it happened and they refused to pay, does that mean that you were paid less than minimum wage for the hours you worked? They definitely need reporting if so.

Original poster
Spinelli99 · 28/08/2023 09:34

Yeah exactly. Again it was just them squeezing it in when they could. I could've gone for 7:30 but they don't let you check in too early either.

OP posts:
AnSolas · 28/08/2023 09:34

You need to keep in contact with your manager.
If a call overruns and you wil be late to the next one you need to pass that on in real time.
It can be that a client will nees extra time due to a change in their circumstance but the scheduler will not know this if they are not given feedback.
I dont agree that you should not be paid for working but you should have pointed out that you were unable to attend a scheduled call and ask for permission to do it later.

hittingtheshelves · 28/08/2023 09:36

If I were you I'd speak to a reporter who specialises in the care sector and be a whistleblower for this company. Seems like utter madness to me.

Original poster
Spinelli99 · 28/08/2023 09:37

Just calculated and it takes me just above min wage

OP posts:
thinkfast · 28/08/2023 09:37

If you're, leaving and your on a true zero hours contract, give them the contractual notice period, but you don't have to accept any further assignments from them during the notice period (that you haven't already accepted) and can start working elsewhere. That's what zero hours means - they aren't required to give you work, and you're not obliged to accept it. Also they can't prevent you working elsewhere.

www.gov.uk/contract-types-and-employer-responsibilities/zero-hour-contracts

sashagabadon · 28/08/2023 09:39

That’s not a good rule as it disincentivises people late for calls ( which are not their fault) to go to the call at all. They could just think well why bother I’m late and won’t get paid.
surely better to still pay carer and for visit to go ahead late?

Original poster
Spinelli99 · 28/08/2023 09:39

Yes you're right I should've spoken to them and I will do next time.
They state on the contract that you must be available in your availability windows. I think they're just picking and choosing which parts of 0 hours suit them.

OP posts:
mumda · 28/08/2023 09:40

0 hours works both ways. You're not available for shifts in your notice period. Job done.