I have written previously about the company I work for and their decision that, as we get paid double time for working on bank holidays, we're not entitled to leave days for them and therefore are only getting 22 days leave a year if working full time (and less pro rata). Anyway, today I took in a notice THEY sent out saying leave was 22 days PLUS bank holidays for full time staff. Also informed them that the law states we're entitled to 5.6 weeks/28 days paid leave a year. Now they're saying it's to do with us being employed on zero hours contracts - even if we're working full time hours!! They have said they'll clarify matters with the HR company they use (external company) and get back to me hopefully by the end of next week. Are they correct or, as I work more than the minimum hours required by law to be classed as full time, do I qualify for the leave entitlement of a full time worker? Thanks in advance for any assistance, Feebee_71

Most companies have a period of 28 days in the complaints procedure in which to receive a response from them when instigating a complaint - this is because they need to contact the store manager who will then investigate at a local level (interview staff on duty at the time of the complaint, review CCTV if available and get answers to any further questions that may arise during the process). once that's all done they then have to compile their reply to the complainant and allow time for it to be delivered. I would give it another week at least before chasing up. Feebee_71

You have to have the 5% and enough money to cover legal fees and moving costs and, most importantly for yourselves, be able to raise a mortgage for the remaining 75% of the property price after the government back you with 20% of the price. If you have a poor credit rating would you be able to raise a mortgage amounting to 75% of the property value with most standard lenders? Feebee_71

Hi tranmereforever, I would prepare for your wife to go to the magistrates court today with a copy of the bank statement, any receipt you may have been sent when you made the payment and the reference number for the payment. Take some ID with her and ask at the front desk about swearing the stat declaration as I think, from what I've read on this site, you can do one or free at the court whereas a solicitor would charge a small fee. Good luck for today, Feebee_71

Hi Tomtubby, The way I read the OP it was that the wife was fined and then, when unable to pay it off in one go, wrote to the court asking for time to pay in instalments but received no reply. Then, the following month, they had sufficient income to pay the fine off in full so did so online. Feebee_71

Hang on, if they arrived wanting £517.84 and you paid them 'all you had' which was £600, why do you have to keep paying them an additional £100/week? Feebee_71

Are you certain that the payment received is WTC? When I claimed I rang, gave some basic details over the phone then the form was sent out. I filled it in and it was returned to them. When the letter informing me of the award and the details of payments arrived (about 5-6 weeks later) the payments were to start about 3 weeks later with a back dated sum and then weekly payments. Also, the claim could be back dated by one month from the date of em receiving the claim form. Feebee_71

POCA account cards can only be used at the counter or designated 'Post Office' cash machines. My local post office has opening hours that exceed the counter opening hours as it houses a general store as well as the post office counter. They have a PO ch machine inside so you can access POCA accounts outside of the business hours for the counter. Feebee_71

Perhaps your friend can send a SAR to e employer and stipulate that the information should contain details of monthly pay slips so they can have proof that way? Feebee_71

I don't think it's very fair to charge the current unit price for all assumed usage considering prices have risen regularly. Feebee_71

As I said to other staff who I've chatted about it with - I'd rather lose the double pay but get the amount of leave we're actually entitled to by law!! For me, at least, the days off are more important given how few days off I get currently!! Feebee_71

I have spoken to others (who have worked there longer than me) and they do agree that they feel as if the company doesn't give us the leave we're entitled to, that somehow they never seem to get their full entitlement and that they'd like to actually receive what they/we're entitled too. My intention is to put the statutory regulations, copy of our employment contract and a letter they actually sent out saying we get 22 days plus the (disputed by them) 8 bank holiday days so the company know that I/we know what we're entitled to irrespective of what they might try and say!! When I queried it last time they did say if there was anything I wanted further clarification of then I could go to them which is what I intend to do!! Feebee_71

That's right

Hi Emmzzi, My days off are Thursday one week and weekend (Sat & Sun) the following week therefore I am expected to work every bank holiday unless they fall on my day off. I can ask not to work them but am expected to use one of my leave days but will only get the days off if there a sufficient other workers available to cover the calls. Feebee_71

Thanks for the various replies. It isn't helped that I've only worked for this company for12 months and have had a situation where they have altered the leave year dats from being Jan-Dec to now June-May. I am certain that, for the first 5 months of this year I was entitled to 12.5 days (or thereabouts) but my company are saying its only 9 days and therefore I've overtaken leave by 3 days which they have deducted for. The forthcoming years entitlement meaning I've only got 19 days of paid holiday coming my way!! Feebee_71

Hi Conniff, My company insist that we get 22 days paid leave per year and, as we get paid double rate for Bank Holiday calls, we are not entitled to any leave days in lieu. Therefore the 22 days doesn't include BH's according to my company!! Feebee_71

One thing to be aware of when seeking new insurance is you will be asked if you have 'ever had an insurance policy voided or refused' or similar words be honest with them as, if you aren't, the new insurer would likely void your new policy for non-disclosure of material information. Feebee_71

If you are both working then you are both responsible for the council tax but the council do not get involved in how it is split between the two of you, they will simply chase the one in correspondence with them for the full amount. Is the other person making a contribution to the council tax bill? When you say you were receiving 50% CT benefit is this of the full CT for the year? How does the £600 relate to the total CT bill for the year? Is it 50% so equivalent to the additional benefit to the award made? The answers to the above questions will help others (more knowledgeable than I) to help you unravel what's going on. Feebee_71

Asked in the past about annual leave entitlement at my company and told that the company are in the wrong regarding full time employees only being entitled to 22 days leave a year because we get double time on bank holidays so are not entitled to being given 8 days leave in lieu of them. I have tried pointing out to the company again that this is incorrect and that we are entitled by law to 5.6 weeks leave per year but feel I'm not being listened to. Could anyone please point me in the right direction for information about this that I can show my employers so it's not just a case of me saying we are entitled to this leave!! Thanks in advance, Feebee_71

Ok then, do you have any sort of agreement for where you live now? And what about where you were before there? If you have evidence that covers you for dates for before and after you were there that would cover you for dates - if you don't have direct evidence can you get letters? As for this place, I'd write saying you we're there as a tenant of XXX from date-to-date and that all utility bills were the responsibility of the previously named person and that they should get back to said person. Feebee_71

At the time - desperation and an inability to get credit elsewhere. Though, saying that, while the interest rate was high it wasn't anywhere near as high as that!!

Definitely a doorstep loan - still have original paperwork somewhere!!

A Provident loan, had to go to reduced payments when unemployed now am working but little money left for non-priority debts as well as paying priority bills and having enough fuel in the car to be able to go out and do my job - let alone buy food every week (thank goodness for staying at my parents for 3 nights a week so not having to buy food those nights!)

Love the bit on that link - business to business debt collection and utility debt collection. Erm, where does personal credit come under either of those? Feebee _71

I can't remember but know they still send me the letters stating the account is in default. Pretty sure the last communication was from their in house 'solicitors' CK Edrupt!! Feebee_71