Paying below Nat min wage and long hours

[Ella19]

The trouble is the more people that accept it the more people get away with it. I am lucky that at 27 i've had a few jobs, know how I should be treated and fight my corner. Before I agreed to work on my current yard I stated that I MUST have a contract and my NI was to be paid with evidence. I also said that I could not take less than I was earning in an office, this was negotiated with the provision of livery as part of my contract.

I think a lot of it is unfortunately young people who do no know their rights or will not/ are not in a position to/ don't know how to stand up for them. This is where the BGA comes in but so few people are members

 

[Aarrghimpossiblepony]

Ok, so all seem to be in agreement that this is not acceptable although some still saying that it's the norm in thier area?
Not me BTW.
this person is 21, with two years event experience under her belt, but had only one yard where she was looked after,by them insisting on breaks and food stops. Pay was the same, and no particular training. Horse allowed during the summer,but left as yard manager took a dislike to her! And employers felt she was too isolated on thier yard as on own in evenings and does not drive.

She is suffering health wise, but says yard and horses great, bosses are nice, and she does not care about the money as doing it for the love!!!!!

I've been in touch with various people and organisations and am prepared to act , although this will most likely cost her her job.

Sadly her experiences to date, have not given her a taste of what good employers and reasonable working conditions should be expected. She honestly does not believe that she could find better places to work.

She is not lazy(not the fastest worker) but steady, conscientious, reliable, competent, trustworthy, etc. knows her job, and is good with the horses.

Ive ranted so much, that she won't answer the phone to me for fear of yet more nagging!

I've been on every website, spoken to helpful people who will help her,if only she will speak to them, but she wont.

Hate the situation, and not prepared to stand by as really concerned over lack of proof of legal employment, accident liability etc.

Apart from the NI contributions/insurance issues, it's nothing to do with you I'm afraid.

And in the current economic climate, who's to say she will be better off if the job goes?
Will she have to go back home to live (for instance)?
Will she become long term unemployed?

Not saying it's right, but she's 21, plenty old enough to make her own decisions.