Have just been sacked!!

[minko]

I was employed for a six month contract which should have expired in January. I won't say what as, but suffice to say it was in an area that I had no experience in but could bring my own skills to whilst learning something new... does that make sense? So basically the employer knew what they were getting.

The employers (a v. small family run company) have now told me they have paid me till the end of the month, there is no work in December and that my ONE WEEKs notice is effective immediately. I have bent over backwards for the company, they have been rude, demanding and I have found it a very hard atmosphere to work in but have persevered and delivered good work in a conscientious manner.

This leaves me with a months childcare costs as the CM is on one month's notice. So I am very out of pocket.

As well as bloody angry!

Any advice??

Are you only entitled to one week's notice in your contract?

If they've given you the right notice, and paid you for work you've done and holiday you've accrued, there's not a lot else you can do really. It's rubbish, but fine legally.

Well they say they have paid me to the end of the month so that is my weeks notice apparently. The month ends on Tuesday though and I would have worked Tues, WEd and Thurs next week. Or am I being thick?

It depends. The end of the month is Tuesday, so as long as they told you no later than yesterday, they have given you enough notice.

If they told you today, then you need paying for Wednesday next week as well.

They told me today and I am paid to the 30th. So in effect I get 2 days 'severance' pay.

They never gave me a copy of my contract. I have a job offer letter saying the contract runs out on the 10th Jan. There is no mention of notice period. So I am a bit stuffed.

So all I can campaign for is one extra days holiday? How does that work - surely if I find out Thursday evening - by email - I should be paid at least for my three days next week!?

The email states no reason for dismissal apart from them having no work for me.

I want to try and get a bit more out of them as I am going to have to pay the childminder...

Doesn't matter if notice period isn't mentioned. If there's nothing contractual in terms of notice, you are entitled to the statutory minimum which for you is one week's notice see here

So if they told you today Thursday you would normally need to be paid whatever you would normally work up to and including next Wednesday - a calendar week.

However if it was Thursday evening after the end of your working day yes you should argue that 'a week's notice' includes next Thursday.

You are entitled to be paid for whatever holiday you've accrued and not taken, so if that's one day, then yes that. Do bear in mind that they can require you to use up outstanding holiday during your notice period though.

That's all you're going to get I'm afraid. You are entitled to more than pay til next Tuesday, but not a lot more.

Forgot to say thanks for your help last night. It's much appreciated. This morning I have to phone the boss and ask for the extra 2 days pay they owe me... wish me luck!

If I no longer need the childminder as of now but have to pay her a months notice, do I have any grounds for negotiation to pay a bit less? Or does that make me as bad as them?

Negotiation with the childminder you mean? Well you could ask her, but if a month's notice are her terms and conditions it's completely up to her whether she waives them or not. It might depend whether she can fill the place straightaway but entirely up to her.

How about suggesting that you give the childminder two weeks money but she doesn't have to look after your child - that way you both win (her because she gets December free/one child less, you because you save two weeks childminding fees).