Issues with employer, not sure where I stand

[stace]

Hi Guy's

I've joined this site looking to find some information. I'm currently having problems with my employer and I would like a bit of advice on some of the issues.

I have about 30 issues so I won't bore you with them all, just the ones that are worrying me today.

I joined the company 2 years ago, it is a small family run business so I think he likes to make up his own rules! When I started with the company, I received a letter of employment, it didn't contain much information, just my pay and holiday entitlement. The letter mentions nothing of my job title or my duties. I didn't even have to sign a copy. To me this was a bit strange as I've never worked for a company that works like this.

I should mention that in our office there are 2 males and 2 females.

I then learnt that out of our 28 days holidays, only 16 of them are chosen by us 12 have to be reserved every year for factory shut down and bank holidays, which at first I had an issue with, but then I thought fair enough, it's just how it is. Only to then realise that the male employees in the office have 25 holidays to take a year. Upon finding out this information I figured they had added an extra day for each year of service, which is pretty common practise in most places, but this is not the case, my boss informed me that my holidays will never go up as he doesn't do it like that, so basically, I'm stuck on 16 days regardless of how long I work there, whereas the guys get their glorious 25, not fair huh? The next thing, I am currently undergoing investigations at the doctors for an illness, which is requiring me to have appointments at least once a week, our workplace is miles out of the way so there is no chance of me making it home for appointments within the doctors opening hours. Instead of asking to leave an hour or so early, I approached and asked if I could take half day holidays ...... "Oh no, we can't be doing that, you'll have to take full days!" so for the sake of 10 minute appointments, I'm having to use a full days holiday, charming! By April my massive allowance of 16 days will all be gone on medical appointments!

Next up, we moved premises a few months back, the new one is absolutely miles away from the old one, a lot further to travel. I have to get two buses and be at work for 8, nightmare considering the reliableness of our buses around here! Occasionally maybe once a week, I am one or two minutes late, never any more than 5! I sit and work through all of my breaks day in day out, so didn't think there would be an issue. He gave me a verbal warning about it on Friday, ok, fair enough I'll have to get here on time from now on. Got into work on Monday and on my desk was a contract of employment! I am the only one in the whole company that has received one. I feel singled out and a bit picked on to be honest and think it's discrimination.

These are only a few of my issues, I have many many more! I don't want to sign the contract as I am desperately seeking a new job. Are any of these points lawfully wrong? would i have a case against him for not treating us all equally?

Any response would be appreciated, I'll stop waffling on now!

[teaboy2]

Re: Issues with employer, not sure where I stand

The difference in holiday entitlement between males and females amounts to sexual discrimination.

Also in regards to traveling to work, it is unreasonable to expect you to not be late occasionally due to use of public transport as your lateness is no fault of your own and due to unforeseen matters related to the public transport you use. Not only that, you mentioned you were never more than 5 minutes late. Most employers operate on the assumption that you will not be deemed late unless it is more than 15 minutes.

Now a few other question for you. Do your male colleagues get paid the same rate as you? if not is the difference due to them being there longer than you/ How does you female colleague feel about the issue with holidays?

I will have too look into time of work for medical reasons, before i comment on that issue.

I would be interesting to known what all your issues with the employer are, as sometimes what seems to be small and insignificant can actually have major consequences on the employer, some even criminal.

[CleverClogs]

Re: Issues with employer, not sure where I stand

I would be interesting to known what all your issues with the employer are, as sometimes what seems to be small and insignificant can actually have major consequences on the employer, some even criminal.

Do you mean that she shouldn't be expected to fellate him every Friday? msl:

[stace]

Re: Issues with employer, not sure where I stand

Thanks for your reply teaboy

I thought this too, however, they do have different positions to me and the other female. Does that make a difference? I find it highly unfair that they get almost 2 whole working weeks longer holidays than us! They get paid different as they do a different role, but even if they get more holidays due to the length of service, surely it's unfair if we don't have the opportunity to do so. She isn't so bothered about it, not to sound bad, but she isn't English and I think she's just thankful to have a job over here!

I thought it was unreasonable too, especially as he's moved the premises and made it further away, it not only costs me twice as much, but there is also a lot further to go! I thought with me working through every single break like the mug that I am, that he wouldn't have a massive issue with my occasional late mornings.

I'd be here all day if I went on about all of my Issues with him haha! There's pay issues, keeps changing the date of when we get paid, never manages to pay me on time, constant bank charges!

I just wondered more about the contract issue, do you think it looks like victimisation, with me being the only contract holder in the company?

[stace]

Re: Issues with employer, not sure where I stand

Thanks for your reply teaboy

I thought this too, however, they do have different positions to me and the other female. Does that make a difference? I find it highly unfair that they get almost 2 whole working weeks longer holidays than us! They get paid different as they do a different role, but even if they get more holidays due to the length of service, surely it's unfair if we don't have the opportunity to do so. She isn't so bothered about it, not to sound bad, but she isn't English and I think she's just thankful to have a job over here!

I thought it was unreasonable too, especially as he's moved the premises and made it further away, it not only costs me twice as much, but there is also a lot further to go! I thought with me working through every single break like the mug that I am, that he wouldn't have a massive issue with my occasional late mornings.

I'd be here all day if I went on about all of my Issues with him haha! There's pay issues, keeps changing the date of when we get paid, never manages to pay me on time, constant bank charges!

I just wondered more about the contract issue, do you think it looks like victimisation, with me being the only contract holder in the company?

[stace]

Re: Issues with employer, not sure where I stand

He'd have to have something to felate in the first place :tinysmile_twink_t2: