joining a union and minimum hours, HELP

[pushybabe1]

not sure if this is the right place for this but here goes, i havent been in this job very long but long enough to have got a contract and one of the girls said that the manager who also is the owner,its a private care home by the way, she will not allow the staff to join a union, my reply was that even though the employer may not recognise a union but the staff can still join a union and pay any subscriptions to the union via their own bank account, so am i right and the employer is wrong. also i have a 16 hour a week contract and next week i am rotad to do less than this, i have pointed this out but have been told that because the home is not to full capacity that there is not enough hours for me, i tried to point out that i should have a minimum of 16 but was then told that employer adds up the monthly total so if i did more hours say last week then that more than makes up for shortfall for next week which i think is wrong as it should be minimum of 16 per week not added up over the total 4 weeks.

[Buenchico]

Re union membership:
http://www.direct.gov...embership/DG_10027560

You're probably correct in stating that you should be given a minimum of 16 hours work each week but it's difficult to be certain without seeing your 'written statement of employment particulars' (which your employer must give you within two months of the start of your employment). For further advice, phone the ACAS helpline:
http://www.acas.org.u...x.aspx?articleid=2042

Chris

[4getmenot]

would be an average over 4 weeks

[boxtops]

It really depends on the wording in your contract. Your contract either specifies so many hours per week, or so many hours per week averaged over a month. What happens if work is short every week? - you need to find out if you will be paid the 16 hours even if you can't make it up later in the month. Chris' idea to contact ACAS is a good one, I have found them very helpful.

[pushybabe1]

wording in contract says, your normal hours of work are....16...per week, flexible as required by the needs of the home and as per the published rota. You may be required to work additional hours when authorised and as necessitated by the needs of the home. so no mention of this being spread over a four week period as she is trying to say

[boxtops]

I would check with the other staff at work whether this is the norm at your place. They do have the get-out clause about hours "as required" so it may be quite acceptable. Contact ACAS as suggested for impartial advice.

[pastafreak]

I think 'flexible as required' says it all...that's how it is covered.

[pushybabe1]

thanx all