Zero hour contract nightmare

[Sunflowerinmygarden]

Morning
Im hoping for some advice.
Im currently on a zero hour contract national minimum wage started off as just saturdays, then Tuesdays. However this was only 16 to 17 a hours a week and I was having to have work commitment meetings with UC, as the earnings too low (fair enough). I did manage to get 2 Mondays in one month extra which then took me over the AET.
Then they took Tuesdays away from me no work without notice.
I eventually got a second job 11 hours 2 days a week to get my earnings above the required AET.
This has now back fired as I told my zero hour contract employers I cant work a on certains days as I have a permanet job as receptionist on set days.
Now they know this they given me full time zero hour contract, making it impossible for me to funtion to do my other job. When a few months ago they where not interested in giving me any work.
This last 2 weeks im been doing 40 hours with my zero hour contract and then still having my permanent job on Thursday and Fridays 11 hours.
Im working 51 hours a week 6 days a week and exhausted. Im nearly 50!
The pay is only NMW for both jobs and im still poor. X

I don’t think zero hours is suitable for your needs
every zero hours job I’ve had you just turn the shifts down if you don’t want them
but also they don’t have to offer you anything

The beauty of a zero hours is you can say no to the hours they offer. You cannot have a “full time zero hours” contract.

This is the part I dont understand is when I practically begged them to do Mondays consistantly they gave me 2 Mondays , and then basically told me thanks but no thanks im not needed. As soon as I get another job thats secure on Thursday and Fridays, they then bumped my hours up without warning.

They’re just a crappy employer.

I get this. The reality of zero hours is rarely what it should be.
I’m expected in mine to agree a pattern of work a year in advance for example.
Can your second job extend your hours enough? Otherwise I’m afraid you just need to play hardball and turn down shifts. The consequence may be you loose work, but you can’t carry on

Zero hours contracts are supposed to work both ways. They don't commit to give you any shifts, you don't commit to being available for them. Really you need your zero-hours work to be with a company that understands this. Tell your zero hours employer that either they convert your contract to guarantee a minimum of 25hrs per week (in which case you'll give up your other job and be available whenever) or if they want to keep you on zero hours you will be regularly exercising your right to turn diwn shifts that don't work for you (ie well before the workload gets too much). A contract that guarantees you nothing but requires you to be available full-time in case they want you is unfair and unenforceable and you are not bound by any such unreasonable agreement.

@Fernic thats my fear and worry is if I turn a shift down they wont ever give me anymore, then ive only my other job which is permanent but only 11 hours a week, which I cant survive, plus Uc would pull me each month.
X

Oh love, you must be absolutely shattered, 51 hours at nearly 50 on minimum wage is no joke. Here's the thing though, zero hours means zero obligation both ways, you can turn down shifts without penalty and they cannot force you to accept them. Start saying no to shifts that clash or exhaust you, in writing if possible, and remind them you have other commitments. If they react badly or cut your hours in retaliation, that could be grounds for a complaint. You've done nothing wrong by finding stability elsewhere, now protect your energy and your health.

If you are working as a Receptionist two days a week start looking for other Receptionist jobs. Have you registered with any recruitment agencies? You might be able to find a full time Receptionist job with another company.

Alternatively apply for other zero hours jobs that treat you better - you are obviously employable as you have two jobs. Keep looking and find something else. Good Luck.