To have handed in my notice today?

[muggglewump]

Quick background.
I'm a waitresss in a Coffee Shop. In the 7 months I've been there, I've been bullied for 3 and a half and the bully has started up again. I've had my hours changed twice, the first time they dropped below 16 and as I'm a single parent, I can't work less than 16. I explained this to my boss so she does understand.

Anyway, yesterday I was told that one of my shifts was being given to a guy who can work all summer. He has worked there before so knows the ropes. I was told they couldn't just give him the 11 hours we are short for, so they gave him one of my shifts too.

That drops me back below 16 hours again so today I handed in my notice.

As much as I hated my job and I hated the bullying, I had no intention of leaving without another job to go to.
I can't work below 16 hours though, it costs me money, and I'll have very little as I'll have to go back to IS.

Please tell me I haven't been a complete idiot and I'm NBU

Having read some of your other threads, I can't believe you didn't do this sooner!

Well I don't have a job though, I have to go back on IS and while they assess my claim I'll be left with nothing. Also it's easier to get a job when you already have one.

Saying that, my reasoning is that I didn't want use my meagre savings on childcare at that job when I can throw myself into getting another job. I can be available for interview ay any time and I can also start a new job immediately.

I have applied for a job today btw and requested an application for another one.

Unfortunatly I didn't even get an interview for the School Clerical Assisstant I applied for though

I didn't mean to sound flippant about it, just think you have put up with a lot of bullying and unfairness.

It's a horrible bind to be in but I still think you have done the right thing.

Good, I'm glad you left, they sounded awful - especially if they are the ones who got all upset over the bike? (unless I'm getting you muddled up with another MNer!)

If you see any other jobs you want, perhaps we can help you with your application letter and prep for interview?

Well done. Life is too short to put up with that crap.

If you are looking for jobs in schools try jobsgopublic.com.

You can also sign up for NHS jobs if you are interested in clerical work. I cant remember the name of the site but if you google NHS jobs you should find it. They will send you emails with suitable stuff.

I am sounding like a careers advisor here sorry but there tends to be quite a lot of part time work in the public sector.

Good luck.

Good for you. You will get something better and don't worry about stuff you don't get because what's for you won't go past you, etc etc.

Onwards and upwards

Yes, it was me with the bike crap. I was made to feel so bad over that

Thanks for the help and nice words. I could really do with them right now. As much as I am glad to be out of there, well at least once I've worked my notice, I was worried that I'd left to go back on benefits and I'd get slated for it.

Thank God you are leaving that bunch of tossers. They all sounded about 12 years old. You were always too good for them.

You are a mum and your priority is your child/ren.
A miserable mummy makes a miserable family.
Good for you for standing up for your principles and I sincerely hope a job turns up soon. Until it does, you are entitled to claim benefits. At least you are looking for work.

All the best,

Sally x x

I think it sounds like you may have a case for discrimination on the grounds of sex or part time status. from what you have described you have either been made redundant or had a variation which is fundamental to your contract imposed without consultation. you don't have the service to claim unfair or constructive dismissal so you will have to link it to the part time working or our caring responsibilities. speak to ACAS or the equality commission for more help.

Thet do behave as if they were 12, nasty 12yr olds at that.
One girl(the bike one) goes on and on about having money, and how much everything she has cost. I found out that she did not own her flat when she was a single Mum as she said, she claimed benefits for it. Also, she still claims benefits!
I will be pointing this out before I leave on Thursday.
I hate liars more than anything, and her lies will be catching up with her.

I think this possibly makes me pathetic but I can't walk out of there and let it go.

I have discussed with my lawyer husband (employment not his speciality but he knows a bit from 1st hand experince). He thinks you may have a claim for constructive unfair dismissal.

It is all done through the Employment Tribunal, so you don't need a lawyer and you don't usually don't have to pay the other side's costs if you lose.

You could be entitled for your notice period (week or month's pay) plus compensation for you r loss of future earnings.

You need to fill in form ET1 and send it to the>

www.legatio.com/downloads/ETS/ET1.pdf

Have a read through the guidance and find address:

www.employmenttribunals.gov.uk/FormsGuidance/formsGuidance.htm

I don't think you have anything to lose. You might even be able to use your posts on Mumsnet as evidence of what has happened in the past.

I think you need to do it quite soon (28 days or so). You might have to wait but why should he get away with forcing you out if you are a good worker and you have done nothing wrong?

Good luck!

I don't have a contract.
Surely I can't do anything without one?

Husband says that you should have been given terms of employment in writing when you were employed. So that will not look good for them.

In absence of a written what was said is the contract. So if he originally said you could work 16 hours a week then this is the contract.

muggle, you don't have the service to claim unfair or constructive dismissal so you will have to claim discrimination (if relevant)

doesn't matter about a contract - do you have payslips or anything that would prove you've been emlpoyed there at all?

Sorry to raise hopes. Didn't give that vital bit of info to husband.

i havent read the whole thread (sorry)

but im assuming the 16 hours if for working tax credit?

when you ring hmrc, ask them about 4 week tax credit run on

obv i dont know all your circs so not 100% sure your entitled (even tax crredits people never seem to understand all the rules)

but basiucally you might get 4 weeks of tax credits paid to you after you stop working to help bridge the gap

HTH

Glad you've left, sounds like a horrid place to and they really are taking the piss.

Have a look on the ACAS website, or the govt. department for business, enterprise and regulatory reform - they used to have a handy guide to employment law (you may still be able to find it on www.tiger.gov.uk as well). Employers have to provide a written contract within a set timescale of you starting the job - IIRC they have three months to do this, max (but obv. do check with ACAS/a lawyer).

Positive thing about them mucking up on the basics is that its a solid fact for the tribunal to grasp and suggests they are a shower right from the off.

to work, obviously!

Thanks for the advice. I have been mulling it over since Friday and as much as I would like to do something about this, I think it's best for me to just leave it.
I live in a really small town and there'd be no hiding.
I'm not sure I'd have a case anyway and I think it would stress me out too much.