K13 wjd could you elaborate on you eat and what was considered to class you as employed rather than self employed. I am just about to start proceedings on this (see my thread). It would be greatly appreciated.

I have just been sacked from provident as a collection agent for not arranging cover for my holidays. I have worked for them for seven years and have never arranged cover. The managers have always done it. My query is really whether I have a leg to stand on at a tribunal as they say I am self employed but I believe that due to the working conditions I am not. I believe i am self employed for tax law but an employee in relation to employment law.Can anyone help? I am not my own boss. I work hours dictated by the round given to me by provident and provident dictate my wages. It is compulsory that I attend weekly meetings with my manager and regular training in the provident office. I had no autonomy over the customers I visited or issued loans to and I only used provident equipment and resources to carry out the work. I was also encouraged to take an interest in the success of the managers and company as a whole as I was pressured to sell products which directly related to their bonuses and profits but would not benefit me financially in any way. I was also not given any contract of service from the company. I worked Monday and Friday evenings for them for 7 years but had no terms and conditions. I did not get holiday pay and pay all my own tax and nat ins but I have looked through the Internet and found that in recent cases tribunals have considered the nature of the employment and overruled companies stating that people were employees even where companies stated they were self employed If there are any other questions which would help clear this up please ask. They are also withholding my final salary without explanation and the boss is refusing to return my calls.

I have just been sacked from provident as a collection agent for not arranging cover for my holidays. I have worked for them for seven years and have never arranged cover. The managers have always done it. My query is really whether I have a leg to stand on at a tribunal as they say I am self employed but I believe that due to the working conditions I am not. Can anyone help? I was committed to working every Friday and Monday evening for them visiting the same specific customers each week dictated by the office, I had to attend a meeting with my manager each Thursday as well as attending staff training and meetings sporadically throughout the year. I had to text figures to my manager twice a week and return all paperwork at a specific time each week. I do pay my own tax and nat ins but all working tools and requirements were provided by the company. I had to book holidays off and although they did ask for cover to be arranged if you knew anyone it was never made compulsory until the last month or so. As stated I have worked for them for seven years and have never done so. If there are any other questions which would help clear this up please ask. They are also withholding my final salary without explanation and the boss is refusing to return my calls.

I used to be a provident agent when I was at university I can tell you for definite that as long as you pay something each week they will NEVER take you to court or blacklist you. As long as you pay an amount each week they stick with you. Their interest rates are extortionate but you won't pay any extra for paying it off over a longer term as it is preloaded when you get the loan. Make them an offer for what you can afford while you go through the unreasonable lending route. Pay £50 per week instead of £300 and they will take no action. I went through this hundreds of times with customers and always advised them of this. You will take forever to pay the debt off but at least you can live while your doing so.... . Good Luck