Hi,
I'd be really grateful if anybody had any experience/thoughts on my situation.
I've worked for the same employer in further education on a part-time basis for several years now. That contract has been continuous, and all well with that element of the work I do for them.
The nature of the job is that other bits and pieces are offered to me as and when people are needed. I have taken on a fair bit of additional work over the last year or so, and there have always been issues with my line manager/HR communicating, resulting in my additional pay taking quite some time to come through. I've always been very patient and understanding about this, not wanting to make a fuss, and wanting to keep the extra work coming my way.
At the beginning of June I was offered one extra day for the whole academic year, contract to run June 2014-2015(ish). I say 'ish' because I still have not seen this contract, despite being promised it almost weekly since June, so don't quite know the terms or end date! This also means that I have not been paid anything for the extra work, having turned down work elsewhere to do it.
So now my patience and goodwill has run out! Does anybody know what I can do with regards to getting this money from my employer? I no longer believe anything my line manager/HR say, so it has also crossed my mind that I should stop doing this extra work until I physically have the money owed to me - not the most professional of things to do, but I feel for once maybe I need to make a stand? This would impact on delivery to students, but I almost feel this is necessary to push them into doing something?! Should I even be working with students with no contract?
A further complication is that I am hoping to change jobs soon, and stop doing work for this institution altogether. I hope to be in a position to resign by the end of the month, giving the required notice for my original post. If a contract for the extra work does materialise in the next week or so I am now in two minds as to whether or not to sign it, as that would presumably bind me to working a notice period for that too, when I'd really like to stop that work as soon as possible given the way they've treated me. Could I refuse to sign a contract now, and claim the money for additional days worked since June any other way?
I am in a union, but haven't spoken to them yet, but will try to speak to them next week.
Sorry for the long post, but just wanted to lay it all out! I'd really appreciate any thoughts on what to do!