No payment for training ??

[mazamoo]

I started work for a company through an agency on the 6th of dec, the first week was mostly training, in a classroom for 2 days then on the job for the next two days.
i drove over 300 miles in that week to attend the courses and now i am hearing that i will not be payed at all for that training week. is this legal? and is there much i can do about it if they dont pay me?

thanks deb

[mazamoo]

right....i applyed for job in job centre, was phoned by the agency to attend interview in telford 40 miles away. got the job and was sent by agency to dudley for training .

[factor-fiction]

I note from earlier postings in other threads that you have had other concerns - for example this may be a franchise you have taken on rather than paid employment and that you get paid according to the number of meter readings you take.
http://www.theanswerb.../Question78442-6.html
Maybe this is a more complex issue than we thought

[boxtops]

Could you tell us - what's the name of the agency, is it an employment agency? Did the agency send you papers to sign as a contract? Did the company send you papers? Surely you didn't start without them sending you at least a letter telling you your terms and conditions?

[jackthehat]

If you get no joy from the agency.........get in contact with the Job Centre. They would take a dim view of someone being messed about in a job which they had advertised.

[mazamoo]

right oh, thank you all for your help ,things are a little clearer in my mind now, i my have said somthing i might regret, thanks again

[mccfluff]

normally with an employment agency you would get a time sheet signed, send it to them and they would pay you the agreed hourly rate based on the hours done.

[mazamoo]

the agency is called beaver management services, they specilase in plumbers and electricians, builders etc.

[boxtops]

Thanks, factor, for the previous link - I think my previous advice on this thread has just gone out of the window...

[boxtops]

Just googled the agency, they seem to have places all over the country - however, if you are on a franchise as suggested in your earlier thread responses, this puts a different perspective on it.

[factor-fiction]

Good luck. I'm not sure what you mean about saying things you might regret.

However I'm wondering from your other post whether things are more complicated- in your post of 13th Dec you said you had attended training but the company still hadn't been in touch about a start date
http://www.theanswerb.../Question78442-6.html

Were you actually working last week?

[mazamoo]

mmm yes this franchise thing has never been mentioned to me by agency or the company. but that isnt what im worried about as i may not last the 3 months yet lol, especialy if im not paid

[boxtops]

Best thing to do - ring Beaver and ask them for clarification, they will know what the set-up is.

[mazamoo]

yes i got all the equipment from seimans they brought it to my house, i have done quite well with regards to doing the actual job, its the payment side that is getting me a little worried

[mazamoo]

ok thank you , sorry to bother you merry xmas xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

[mccfluff]

ring them!

[factor-fiction]

Please let us know what your agency tells you, mazamoo. (By the way were you once mandymoo?)

[WhiteBears]

if the agency pays you then you work for the agency.

when you signed up for this role the agency usually go through credit checks etc by asking you to fill in forms etc did you not go through that? and also did they ask for your bank details? did they explain how you get paid? weekly? monthly? do ur supervisor need to aurthrise your time sheet?

(ive been an agency worker for 5 years!!)

[factor-fiction]

I was wondering whether you'd had chance to make further enquiries with your agency/employer, mazamoo?

[mazamoo]

well, its very confusing really. i was employed by the agency to work for the meter reading people, but....... i am payed by an umbrella company, so... im acually employed by the unbrella co.
when i asked the agency to pay me directly they said no, unless i have my own ltd company. ?? they said i could claim expenses like fuel and food, they seem to please them selves if they give it you or not.i did some lookin around and from what i gather umbrella co's desgise self employment as employment. and up to now they have not paid any tax or nic's on my behalf, they have taken employers ni and some other amounts that im not to sure what they are. when i speek to them on the phone they are very snappy and defenceive. in the six weeks i have worked full time (40hrs plus)for them i have had £675.32p net pay. so i am in the prosess of starting my own business and as soon as i am able i will quit. @factor30 i have only this name
i am debbie thanks

[mazamoo]

the agency is based in bristol, i am in shropshire. i have never signed a contract or ever been asked to fill a time sheet. i am totaly working alone, the meter people send me jobs on a hand held devise and they are in nottingham.
there was a document check at the interview and they did a crb check that i payed for (40 quid)