I just want to rant!!!

[IWantWine]

Any care workers out there?

I just got my wage slip and I think I am paying for the priviledge of working for my company.

I get a 'discretionary bonus' each month and it seems I have been docked about 20p per hour because I went off sick for 4 days with a sickness bug. The only time I have had off sick in the almost 2 years I have worked for them. I could have gone back after two days but they took my calls off me and I didnt argue the point as it was Christmas.

Are all Care Companys so bad to work for? Rotten rates of pay, no petrol allowance, no telephone allowance, expected to be in 3 places at once, no time allowed to travel from one client to the next, no appreciation, no thanks, expected to work all hours! And on occasions I find a client who needs extra time and attention, which I am happy to give although I feel I have no choice, but I dont get paid any extra for it! And I didnt even get a Christman bonus, nor a Christmas party.

I do really love my job and find it very rewarding. The people I care for are all very appreciative. But I dont think I can afford to stay in this job at this rate, especially with petrol so expensive :(

ok... rant over :) But I would love to know if anybody else feels the same!

you don't get petrol allowance? that's pretty grim, how many miles do you do each week for them?

I do about 70 miles per week, it isnt just the petrol, but the wear and tear on the car!

I know I am appreciated by the people I see but I feel so aggreived to have my 'bonus' reduced because I was ill. It is bad enough being ill! I understand that maybe some workers take a lot of time off as sickness, but I dont, I never have through all my working life!

The thing is this 'bonus' is set up in such a way that it is virtually impossible to qualify for all of it. Which is a piss take really, I know I cant speak for all of the carers I work with but I know most of them are dedicated and do a great job (a literally shitty job sometimes, and harder than that with pallitive care!) and I feel it is an awful way to be treated.

I have spoken to another worker, and we have not yet found one employee who has qualified for the full bonus.

It just seems to me that if you treat your staff fairly they work better, they are happier, which has got to be good for business!

I am also increasingly aware of the responsibilities of the job. I think I saved someones life the other day, which is wonderful and like I said, very rewarding, and I am sure I am not the only one, but my employer doesn't even think I am worth even a £5.00 Christmas bonus!

sorry.. I am ranting again :) lol

in my old job i would have got about £30 for that amount of mileage.

hopefully some other care workers will see your op.

i was thinking of going for similar work after losing my job, not so sure now!

Well this is what I wondered! Am I just stuck with a bad employer?

I love the work, I really do. I wonder about my sense of humour lol... dealing with the shit - literally and still being cheerful :) Ahhh but it is rewarding.

I dont want to say on here about my 'discretionary bonus'... but basically it is set up so that 'we' (employees) cannot qualify for it. If I rock the boat I know from other carers comments that hours of work get cut back and right now, I need to earn my wages :(