[garyfindlay]

Hi, I`m looking for some info into office cleaning regarding holiday entitlement. I have a couple of cleaners that have been ok, since they cover each other`s holidays. I now have a new cleaner on another site working 2 hours a day, 12 hours a week. She has only worked for 2 months, but is giving me grief. She has missed a couple of days due to ill health, left early, been late, and other excusses. I don`t have anyone to fill her place, and she is a "friend". Now her husband is demanding a contract and holiday entitlement, and telling me he is in the union. We are only a small family business, so want to get it right. How many holidays is she entitled to a month? I take it she doesn`t get a full yearly entitlement at once, or she would be off for a month. Where is the best place to find out all obout this kind of stuff? Thanks in advance.

[Jamie Pearson]

She will accrue holidays from the moment she starts working.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employment/Employees/Timeoffandholidays/DG_10029788

[chores hygiene management ltd]

have a word with your accountant as well, the website is useful but can confuse a bit, acas do one too but a human is more re assuring

[Robert Parry]

Hi Gary,

As soon as you take on an employee there is a whole raft of legislation that you have to comply with, regardless of business structure or size.

You have a max of 12 weeks to issue any staff member with a legal contract of employment, however it is considered best practice to issue the contract etc before the start of their first shift.

From your post, it appears that you have now got 3 employees, avail yourself of the services of one of the HR specialists in order to comply fully with the current legislation, with the staff numbers that you currently have it wont be very expensive, and you will know that you are fully complient.

Regards,

Rob

[pristineclean]

"Friend" or not, I'd rather lose a contract than have the reputation of my company tarnished with the stain of tardiness that your employee is bringing to your reputation by behaving so poorly.

You have eight weeks to issue a statement of terms and conditions of employment but, more significantly, you have around eight months to dismiss this troublesome individual without any repercussions - the Employment Act 2008 pretty much ended the right to be heard for wrongful dismissal (procedural errors don't really get you into trouble any more) and unless you're dismissing on prohibited grounds (age, sex etc) there's no access to an Employment Tribunal.

Also, I'd probably, and have in actuality, dismiss an employee for the spousal interference alone, irrespective of how good the employee is.

Pretty much everyone on this site, myself included, has elected to work for themselves and provide work for others rather than pursue the safe option of working for a company and enjoying the security of assured income; we all have a duty to look after our staff, our customers and ourselves and the first thing we should do is be fair and expect our staff to be fair in return ( no use asking the customers to sign to that bit :-) but that's ok) - it's as ridiculous to allow a member of staff to get a member of staff to interfere with the employment relationship as it would be for employers to allow their spouses to do the same thing.

PS - this touched a nerve, can you tell?  

[Mrs Nicholls]

omg where do i start. 1 ) union? 2) whats it got to do with him? 3) i think you will have to say sorry trial over i can no longer employ you.

if i have learned anything its to not let people like this, friend or no friend cause problems, don't let them take you for a ride. I had similar problems years back when i started employing, you have to be tough, and show them who is boss, what happens if you lose the contract due to this person giving your business a bad rep?

I totally agree with pristineclean and know exactly where they are coming from.

[garyfindlay]

thanks for the advice. I take it holidays are accrued at just over 2 shifts per month.

[mike roberts]

As above ... you are in business.... dont mess around friend or family bin her....

We took on my brother in laws son part time ... messed up our whole family relationship... learnt the lesson! Bin her.... I would isssue contract asap state terms for dismissal and follow procedure. Do not speak to husband has nothing to do with him!

Surprising how much hol they get for part time work isnt it!!

Surely you can always find replacement just the need to re-train!

best Mike

[garyfindlay]

Unfortunatly she told me to shove the job up my ar5e....result ...whoohoo....happy days

[mike roberts]

Unfortunatly she told me to shove the job up my ar5e....result ...whoohoo....happy days

 

[Liz Baker]

In future employ your staff on a contract basis to start with and when they have been with you for six months you can then review it and then bring them on perminently if they have proven themselves,
this has worked wonders for my business because like so many others on this site I have also been bitten with friends and family NEVER employ friends or family its just not worth the hassle. good luck, see the Business Link website for holiday and terms.