Desperate

[Georgie0]

This is long sorry, but i need to get it off my chest!
I'm now 25 weeks pregnant, I'm 26 an live at home with my parents.

I was working with horses on a stud farm up until 5 weeks ago. I was full time there, up until the time i told my boss i was pregnant (at 8 weeks i think). I had a really bad time up until i was about 16 weeks and had ONE day off. This is the first day off i have had there and i worked 50 hr weeks for over a year. The next day i was told that it 'wasn't working' and she was drpping my hours down to 15 (would've sacked me, but i burst into tears at her!) I was made to feel so unwelcome, i was left out of everything on the yard and she refused to talk to me. Around the same time, my car died, which meant my wonderful parents dropped me off and picked me up, a round trip of 32 miles a day., in a very thirsty 4X4.
It came to a head because we just couldn't afford everything; my parents were soaking up all my bills and expenses and they aren't rich! One month we got to week one with 200 pounds left to feed 3 of us and 3 dogs. I was never given the option of staying at the yard, and as time went on i was struggling mucking out 16 boxes a day. I left, and was promptly informed i was self employed.

I contacted the benifits people, but was told i wasn't entitled to income support as i wasn't close enough t the birth; fair enough i could claim job seekers. I have been through all the hassle and now, 3 weeks down the line i have just got a letter telling me i 'left my job voluntarily' so my claim is in doubt. To add to this, because she has scr*wed me over and hasn't been paying my stamp, i am not entitled to any MA. I was working as a full time worker there, i 100% believed everything was above bored.

I don't know what i can do, i'm sat here in floods of tears as i cannot see any way out of this. I'm desperate and i need money. I have worked my ass off all my life and no one will help me, yet some people are getting a fortune and living off it for doing sweet FA. It just doesn't seem fair.

 

[Esoames]

Oh thats so sad I'm so sorry you've been messed about. Have you been to see the citizens advice bureau? Hope it works out for you soon xx

 

[Minchin]

that is totally crap. Good advise about the cab, maybe they can help. Just not fair sometimes. Good luck

 

[Xcitedmum]

aww georgie this is an awful situation to find yourself in! I strongly recommend that you go and see your previous employer, ask them why the hell they were not paying your stamp and putting your through the books correctly!

We all know they were crooking the system to save money but what they were doing was illegal. If you have payslips I also recommend that you tell your employer that you plan to send these to the tax office in an attempt to sort the whole thing out as their negligence means you're not entitled to your maternity pay. They will not want to hear this - I suspect that they are doing the same thing with most of their employees - are you friendly with anyone who still works there? Wouldn't do any harm to let them know what the employer has been up to (only do this if they do not co-operate when you call for an explanation).

The employer will not want you contacting the tax office as they could be taken for fraud - do you have payslips? They are vital in proving the hours etc you were working....

I also recommend a trip to your local citizens advice bureau - good luck and let us know how you get on x

 

[Little Rose]

Hey look into "constructive dismisal" - when you leave a job because you feel you have been forced to/have no other option but to leave. Good luck.

Rose

 

[BabysMomma]

OMG that is awful. What a bitch of an employer. You really should seek advice from the CAB because the way you've been treated is unacceptable and if she's screwed you over by not paying your NI and tax contributions, you should tell on her as she's a dirty rat for making you feel that you have no choice other than to quit your job! Asshole.

I really hope that you get something sorted x

 

[Sassysugar]

How terrible for you, as you have been there for over a year you would also have more rights than if you'd only been there a few months. Did they supply you with a contract? Legally they have to do this within 3 months of you starting there.

Like the other girls say, speak to cab, it sounds like as soon as they found out you were pregnant they wanted to get rid of you, which obviously legally they can't do! How do they pay you, as if it goes into your bank account would that not show that you worked for them thus proof to show to help you get benifits?

I really hope you can get some help hun