Pay Cut

[Forrey]

I was wondering if anyone out there can help.  My flatmate is working for a nursing agency and was told (verbally) that her pay was going to decrease by a certain amount (due to some new government policy).  She agreed to continue working for them and a week later received her payslip showing that her pay had been reduce by nearly double the amount stated verbally over the phone.  Does she have any rights?  Does anyone know of any good websites where she can seek advice.  Your help would be much appreciated.

[Loosehead]

She has the right to go or stay I'm afraid.

[Forrey]

Hi Loosehead - thank you for getting back to me.  My flatmate has decided to leave the agency but her question is whether or not she can do anything about the last pay cheque she received.  It is a substantial amount less that what she was told she would be paid.

[Loosehead]

Was she told that she would be on a particular hourly rate and on the slip it is less? Or is it that she was given an estimate for the week/month and the final amount fell short of the estimate due to deductions or just poor arithmetic. If she can show she was promised x per hour for example and she is getting less than x then yes she would be able to take some form of action. Has she got the amount and promise in writing? It's best to discuss with the firm directly initially and see what their reaction is it may be an error. More info required for a more definitive answer. 

[Forrey]

Hey Loosehead - thanks again for your reply.  Unfortunately she only had verbal confirmation (over the phone) telling her that her rate of pay would be reduced by (I think she said) around �4 per hour.  She agreed to continue working for them at this lower rate but when she received her pay slip they hourly rate had dropped by (again i'm guessing) around �7.50 per hour.  Unfortunately I do not believe she has anything in writing. 

[Loosehead]

difficult if nothing in writing but still worth pursuing if only to confirmm that it isn't an admin error.

[thugulike]

She should go to CAB for advice.  There should be a 90 day notice of reduction in pay.  She has more rights than most people imagine.

[Forrey]

Thanks again Loosehead - she was told that it was not an admin error and this is now her set rate of pay.  If she had been told she would be on this rate she would never have worked for the agency as she would have been paid more going on a hospital bank.

Thugalike cheers for the advice, it sounds very encouraging and I have forwarded my flatmate their website where she can seek free advice online.

Thanks again all - this website rocks!!

[hinge1967]

I would suggest joining a Trades Union. They exist to protect workers rights and can advise on issues like this. Since she is a healthcare worker (I assume) then UNISON is her obvious choice.

[AllYourBase]

In fairness, most agencies have brought these problems on themelves over the past few years by hiking up the rates they charge the NHS when the NHS was struggling. The NHS has fought back and brought in nurses from overseas and nowthe agencies suffer. Swings and roundabouts and I am sure the situation will reverse before long again

But as to the original question, the rights for agency staff are different to that of many pemament staff and should be checked carefully with the agency themseves. Most agencies tend to give you a great deal when times are good, but they usually have get-out clauses to leave you high and dry without any rights when times are bad - it is the nature of the beast.

However, it does not sound right, after agreement has been made and explained clearly - it was specified wasn't it?