Miltonguyphil, yeah I understand there are many benefits to the employer in doing this such as what you mentioned plus them having to pay out less to employees like my girlfriend in the case of sickness etc as they are working over their contract. What made me think they may be in breach of regulations is that they are basically circumnavigating laws that were put in place to protect employees.

Yes - a supermarket

zippygbr, she has been asking for more contract hours for over 18 months during which time three permanent part-time staff have been taken on in areas she is trained and experienced in.

Thanks a lot Postggj - I should probably clarify though: Her hours have ranged between the low 20s and mid 40s over the 2 years. Her average hours are probably mid 30s, which we could confirm by checking wage slips / p60s.

Hi, My girlfriend has worked full time for 2 years on a 16 hour contract but her employer will not increase her contract hours. During this time she has been a model employee and is very well trained, but they are just flat refusing even though new employees have been taken on during this time. This is now upsetting her to the point where she feels she will have to move on as she has no real protection for sickness, maternity, holidays etc and sometimes has shifts taken away and is left broke that month. She would really like to stay though so I was wondering if they are in breach of any employment regulations so we can take action? Any help would be very gratefully received. Thanks, Wet Shoulder

Phew! I think it's over with - spoke to a different adviser this evening and she said it's sorted and confirmed by email. Must have just got a daft one yesterday. Thanks a lot for all the good advice - I guess the Ombudsman or cancellation would have been the only ways to go if they continued dragging their heels. Hopefully I won't need to bump the thread again! Many thanks, Wet shoulder.

It was two years with no claims. However, the first year was as a learner (although still in my name on my own car etc) - is it possible that the second insurer accepted this first year's no claims then added one of their own, but present insurer has somehow found out about the first year and will not accept it? And if so, would they ask for proof without saying why? Regards, Wet Shoulder.

Yes I claimed 2. They said to me that the previous company confirmed only 1 year (I guess that would be via the database you mentioned?) therefore I need to pay up or provide proof. The previous insurer said definitely 2 when I rang them and provided the document showing 2 by email so I've no idea how the mix-up occured, but perhaps that is why they're being fussy over the proof. Not sure what I can do about it though. Maybe I could try and put the burdon of proof on them - I have provided a document showing 2 years, so they should provide a document showing 1 if that is what they want to charge me for.... don't think I can just cancel as the policy has been in place over 28 days now. Regards, Wet Shoulder.

Yes it does. I can try printing it and sending it with highlighted sections (I got it emailed to me), but they seem to have an issue just with it being a renewal notice. They said: "This document only shows that you will have 2 years no claims bonus at the time of renewal, this is only a renewal notice, if the previous insurer could give you something in writing that would be more beneficial" I wasn't sure what the problem was so I replied asking for clarification. Their reply: "The document is only a renewal invite, not proof of no claims, we would need a proof of no claims certificate, this is just an invite for renewal" My old company have no idea what they mean by 'proof of no claims certificate' if not the renewal notice. Regards, Wet shoulder.

Hi, Most insurers seem fine with accepting the renewal notice as proof of NCB but my new insurer won't and is threatening a big increase in premiums. Anyone know where I stand on this? My old insurer is adamant that it is the best they can do so I can't provide more 'proof'. All advice appreciated. Wet Shoulder.

Ok, noted thanks. Before this advice I had actually assumed that Sky would be the people to contact as long term it is their money that is in jeopardy not the installers', and also they would be able to offer me something where as the installers would not. Was I mistaken?

1st floor flat.

No, I need a dish. Why, do they usually only subcontract (right word?) when there is a communal one?

I contacted Sky and they took a few details then fairly quickly put me through to their 'local installers' who arranged the installation date.

I am now - the smilie made all the difference. It's either going to get me some kind of compensation, or off the ship. Either way I will have made my point and will be happier for it. If more people did the same, even large companies would have to change their ways. Correct, subcontractors I believe.

Some counter-observations: If in some conditions that number is not possible, then whoever came up with that policy (Sky?) should get busy on the phone asap when said conditions occur before customers end up thoroughly p'd off. I should have said - it was actually the installation contractors I contacted. Regardless, if they weren't sure they shouldn't have said 'he is definitely coming today'. First, maybe. But a quick call afterwards would make a big difference - a little good will goes a long way. I expect at least basic level of customer service standards from whoever I give my money to. And I have every right to complain if I don't get it. It is attitudes like the above that has allowed so many companies in Britain to get away with things like 20 minute phone waiting times with someone who doesn't speak English reading from a card when it is eventually answered; pushing delivery notes through letter boxes without first attempting to deliver the parcel; leaving someone waiting in their house all day without so much as a 'sorry'; etc etc.

Thanks for the advice. Having calmed down a little I've decided I will give them the opportunity to make amends. I am a new customer so from what I gathered elsewhere I am in the 'cooling off' period and can cancel without charge if they fail to do so. I will quickly become enraged if, like you say, they attempt to blame the weather because: a) It has been very icy since before I made the arrangement, so the weather was entirely predictable. b) When I called in the afternoon they should have known if he would make it or not, but clearly couldn't be bothered to check. c) There is no excuse whatsoever for them not to have contacted me to apologise at the end of the day. Thanks again, wet shoulder.

Hi, I've just wasted an entire day waiting for a Sky installation but the engineer has not come. I chased them twice and each time was told to sit tight he will definitely be coming today. I've decided I want nothing to do with them now or ever in the future. I will not give my money to businesses that treat their customers this way. My concern is that they will attempt to charge me some kind of admin or cancellation fee which, of course, I am not prepared to pay. Is there something I can threaten them with in this case? Eg, compensation for my phone calls, time wasted, the money I paid someone to move my furniture to enable the installation? All advice appreciated. Many thanks, Wet shoulder.

Bump for substantial update in previous post. Hope this is ok, I'm a bit stumped on how best to procede now.

Thanks for the advice. Y contacted the magistrates court this morning to find out if the distress warrant is genuine (it is) and to get a stay of execution / set aside application in motion. She got fobbed off so I called on her behalf. They have found that the new address was detailed on the form like Y had said but was overlooked I've asked for all action to be immediately stopped and I'm waiting for a call back to confirm that it has been done. UPDATE - I've spoken to the court again. Bailiffs have been called off but they are insisting that Y pays the original court decision of around £300. This is unfair of course, as she wasn't given the opportunity to pay the standard fine before court action, but it turns out the admission of guilt prevents setting aside the judgement. They claim the only way to appeal is through the Crown Court. So would she win a crown court appeal? I guess it's unlikely. So the only option i see to make this 'right' is to make a payment arrangement and start planning a counter claim for the time loss and suffering caused by the threatening demands. Is there another possibility? Recommendations appreciated. Wet shoulder.

ok sorry Is it simple to get it set aside? I hope you're right, but I am planning for the worst seeing as it is quite plausible. If they have lied about the warrant but do have a legitimate debt to chase, they would be able to continue chasing even if I call them out on the lie right?

Hi, I just noticed a letter I received (referred to here: http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/debt-collection-industry/191889-chased-philips-out-please.html) claims that they are in possession of a distress warrant. I am intending to follow the advice I was given tomorrow by finding out the details of the court etc, but I was hoping there might be something I can do whilst digging that will delay the possibility of bailiffs visiting and/or additional fees being applied. Is there some letter I can send that will legally cease all action for a period so I can get everything sorted out? I find it amazing that all of this has happened without us hearing anything about it until we are suddenly threatened with goods removal, vehicle clamping etc.

Ok, thanks I will do that. I'm guessing that there is one though as Philips mentions the court, and also it just seems like this would have been the course of action if we weren't responding to the original fine demands. Is there any trick to asking Philips for details, or is it just a simple letter? Also, supposing there is a judgement would there be any way to quash it seeing as we had no knowledge of it and thus we were unable to defend it? Thanks, Wet shoulder.

Hi, I'm looking for advice on the best way to deal with the situation in the title. Any help would be really appreciated as I'm a bit stumped and my girlfriend (who is getting chased) is in floods of tears as she works hard for the small amount of disposable income she has. The story: About 9 months ago My girlfriend (I'll call her Y) was late for her train so she got on intending to pay the ticket officer on board, which she had done before without issue. This time, however, nobody came to check tickets and when she got off she was checked by an officer and basically spoken to like a criminal. A couple of weeks later she received a form to admit the offence and accept a fine (unspecified amount) without going to court. I did some researched and it seemed like the best thing to do was to just admit it and pay the fine so that's what she did. On the form Y made it clear that she would be changing address in a month and detailed the new address and date of move for them. Y heard nothing further about the matter until the last couple of weeks. She has suddenly been bombarded with threatening text messages and a letter from Philips saying she owes them over £400 due to a magistrates court fine and increasing. It seems like the fine letters must have been sent to her old address in error until they went to magistrates then passed the debt to Philips. How do we go about paying only the original fine that we were intending to pay in the first place? In a perfect world we should just be able to point out the error to the magistrates court or train fine people and it would all be sorted out and an apology given. I'm sure that will not be the case though! What if they deny that they were told the new address? Would we have any options then? Like I said, all help hugely appreciated as this is very stressful for us at the moment. Regards, Wet shoulder.