Basically th' other halfs been working as a carer (zero hour contract). Shes pregnant and has had a load of grief regarding absence (both illness and appointments), and in the stress of it all asked a colleague how to hand in her notice (in writing - 28 days). She took no further action regarding the action, however when she went to collect her rota they informed her shes being given time off until she has the baby (mid December). She finished the hours she'd been given and left, a little annoyed about the situation but she pretty much accepted there was no point trying to fight it.

Her contract says that if she leaves within first 6 months she has to pay for CRB check and any training provided. She was due a wage for her last week today (around £100), which she has not received. Her former employer has told her that this is because shes left, and therefore a charge for the CRB and training. However my partner has received nothing in writing regarding this charge, or the end of her employment.

Just wondered if this is actually worth taking further? Going citizens advice next week just thought I'd ask in the mean time.

I haven't a clue, but it sounds like a crappy employer if true - you can't tell someone they're on leave (albeit unpaid) until December and then change it to "You've left" and bill them for training, thats just wrong on so many levels and to not put anything in writing either is crap - basically if she went to a job centre to claim JSA they would need to see evidence that she didn't leave of her own accord - and she doesn't have any.

However, this is the new reality, this is what employers have been pushing hard for, its crap.

I presume she informed her employers that she was pregnant And then that they carried out a review of her duties and risk assesed any not covered currently etc etc www.direct.gov.uk/en/parents/mon ... /index.htm is a good place to start reading

I presume she informed her employers that she was pregnant And then that they carried out a review of her duties and risk assesed any not covered currently etc etc www.direct.gov.uk/en/parents/mon ... /index.htm is a good place to start reading

Send a PM to Sal Paradise, he'll advise her on how she could reclaim everything she's owed from her expense account.

Seriously though IIRC, pregnancy pretty much covers all the bases on discrimination terms, so there's no buggering around with the "you haven't worked long enough to be entitled to this" scenarios. CAB will give her the best advice but I reckon the company's just a bunch of [is[/ihits who are trying anything they can to retain cash from someone vulnerable.

Stick it to 'em

Is she in a union?

Are care workers paid enough to cover union subs?

S'pose she could always claim it on expenses though eh?

Weekly pay Annual pay Per week Per month Band
Up to £38.47 Up to £2,000 £0.30 £1.30 A
£38.48 - £96.16 £2,001-£5,000 £0.81 £3.50 B
£96.17 - £153.84 £5,001-£8,000 £1.22 £5.30 C
£153.85 - £211.53 £8,001-£11,000 £1.52 £6.60 D
£211.54 - £269.23 £11,001-£14,000 £1.81 £7.85 E
£269.24 - £326.92 £14,001-£17,000 £2.24 £9.70 F
£326.93 - £384.61 £17,001-£20,000 £2.65 £11.50 G
£384.62 - £480.76 £20,001-£25,000 £3.23 £14.00 H
£480.77 - £576.92 £25,001-£30,000 £3.98 £17.25 I
£576.93 - £673.08 £30,001-£35,000 £4.68 £20.30 J
£673.08+ over £35,000 £5.19 £22.50 K

Unison rates

That's nice Standee.

And if I could afford that kind of lump out of what is already a poor wage, I'd be a member too. This is the first job in the whole of my working career where I've not been a Union member.

Who's the employer Ashley? I've a lot of freinds in the trade working for different companies, I may be able to use one of those to get a better answer for you.

The employer is Paradigm health and social care.

She wasn't in a union unfortunately.

You really saying you can't afford the Union fee's, they're hardly steep?

What additional benefits do those in the more expensive bands get for their money?

Why, unless you seriously believe everything should be commoditised, would anyone expect extra benefits?

Why would you expect some people to pay more when they do not get any extra benefit from doing so?

Because they can afford to and it's called being part of society. In the same way that "adults" subsidise children, students & seniors at sporting events or on trains and buses despite getting nothing extra. Or in the tax system where those who can afford to are asked to do so to help those who can't.

It's called a progressive system, the clue is in the name.

but is it progressive?

we've deviated from survival of the fittest, and we're worse off for it

Really ?

As a society we are worse off because the ones who are prepared to kill to get what they perceive as theirs with no regard for what others may want, are held back by the rest of us ?

And the fittest don't always breed better models than the weaker members of society - public schools are full of freaks, misfits and social pariahs who couldn't normally survive without the trust fund behind them - I'm not looking towards the current government front bench, not at all, thats just a coincidence.

We deviated from the survival of the fittest hudreds of years ago. Which mythical age are you harking back to now?