Any comments on this?

[starider]

I signed a written agreement in Feb'20 to do sole charge groom work for a private UK yard in return for free accommodation in a detached annexe, for 6 months,and thereafter to be subject to a month's written notice on either side. As an experienced groom,who had already done some live-out work there previously,I took the job,let my flat out and moved all my contents to the annexe,at high removal cost.All well and owner happy with everything,until lockdown,when without notice I was suddenly told (shouted at) to move out of the annexe,immediately,no notice, as her daughter and family wanted to live there during lockdown and were moving in right away during that night with dogs and kids,instead of staying in their townhouse nearby.I had to pack what I could that night and then return to pack all my things and she got a remover to take away all my furniture.I'm now paying storage fees monthly and having to rent in a town I don't know.I wrote to ask her for a reasonable compensation but she ignored the request.I'm taking legal advice now,it seems to be classed legally as breach of contract..it does show that grooms are often in a vulnerable situation if accommodation is involved.

 

[dogatemysalad]

Your employer has behaved outrageously. It must be very difficult if you're still employed by her. Glad you've taken legal advice, I just can't see any circumstances where an employer can make you leave an unfurnished apartment with just a few hours notice.

 

[starider]

Thanks..she actually denies that there was a contract,though we both signed one and she attached a clear layout of yard duties and timing! She doesn't seem to herself as an employer or me as an employee..presumably because the pay was the free accommodation,not a monetary wage,so I guess we're not on the same planet!

 

[Red-1]

I don't think that it was even legal to have the accommodation as the whole wage, although I am not a legal expert.

She has behaved outrageously, and I hope your legal advice gets you compensated.

 

[starider]

Thanks and yes,now this has happened I'm wondering if she was acting legally..and probably I should have checked before signing up,but I trusted her and never thought there'd be any problem like this. I hope other grooms may read this and be sure to know exactly what they sign up for.

 

[The Bouncing Bog Trotter]

If you are not already a member of the British Grooms Association I suggest you join now, they give amazing advice.

 

[starider]

Thank you.. yes I'm a member of the BGA,and their legal advice was that it was quite a complex legal area,and that it was mainly breach of contract,with various other issues.

 

[WandaMare]

That is a shocking way to treat someone, what a horrible user this person must be. She was lucky you are a decent person because if she had done it to the wrong sort she could have ended up in all kinds of trouble. I don't know anything about the legal side but I hope you manage to get some money back from her at least to cover your removal costs and a few months rent.

Could you call her and say if she doesn't respond you will post her name on a Grooms website/report her to the BHS to warn off others. Might be enough to scare her if she thinks she might not be able to get help again in the future, good luck anyway I hope things work out for you.

 

[starider]

Thanks for your reply,I may do that if it helps others avoid my situ..I'm just hoping a second request to her will bring the matter to a close,without court.

 

[neddy man]

Dont you have a copy of the written agreement ?

 

[tiahatti]

Where is the agreement? Did you get a copy?

 

[starider]

Dont you have a copy of the written agreement ?

Dont you have a copy of the written agreement ?

Dont you have a copy of the written agreement ?

Hi Thanks,yes I have a written agreement and schedule of dates and detailed list of yard duties,signed and dated by us both before I moved to her yard.

 

[starider]

Where is the agreement? Did you get a copy?

Hi Yes I have the original written agrreement,signed by us both before I moved,and the work schedule dates,and the list of yard duties.