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 http://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 http://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 shits 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?