This wouldn't happen in any other workplace
- 6 days ago
- 2 min read
The following blog was written by KR, a member of Homecare Workers’ Group.
A disgruntled carer:
A local supermarket is only going to pay staff when they are serving a customer. Is this ok?
"No!" said the public.... "These people should be paid for the whole time they're on shift. They're still working whether they are serving a customer or not"
There was uproar.
"This can't be allowed! These poor supermarket workers!"
They all go on strike.
A domiciliary care worker comes into the supermarket one day and is approached by someone who interviewing people for the local radio station. She was asked for her opinion.
She explained that when at work, she would only get paid whilst with a client. The times in between are unpaid, which is what will happen to the supermarket workers.
"Maybe all jobs should be like this"... "So much money is saved. It doesn't matter that it's at the detriment of the worker, does it?"
"This can't go on!" said the interviewer.
"Oh no", said the care worker...."It's been like this for years, we are used to it now. We have no voice. We can't go on strike. Thanks for clapping for us during COVID though. It really helped."
What makes it ok for us not to be paid for the time in between clients? To go to work and spend a percentage of it unpaid. This wouldn't happen in any other workplaces.
Peer support
Homecare Workers’ Group is a not-for-profit peer support network run by and for homecare workers in England. We host a secure online community, fortnightly drop-ins and quarterly in-person meetups around the country, as well as letting homecare workers know about other ways to get involved in meaningful activities outside of work.
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