Thanks for the response and links. Some interesting reading there. My employer could not really reduce my hours, contractual obligations mean they have to provide 24/7 cover. By reducing my hours they would have to employ more personell so financially they would be no better off. To be honest I am not sure where to take this. I actually enjoy my job but now I am aware that realistically I am working for less than £4.00 per hour does not sit well. Also to consider is the fact that persuing this matter could lead to multiple claims from all other on call staff, possibly ending in serious repurcussions for my employer, even as far as bankruptcy and/or job losses. A difficult choice.

I am hoping someone can advise me regarding my salary. I work as an emergency response driver for a private medical transport company. I work 6 x 24 hour shifts on call(total of 144 hrs) followed by 2 rest days(48 hrs). I work from my home address, with a company vehicle parked outside. During my six on call shifts, I must be available to respond to any task given to me (by phone-call) within a certain time. As you can imagine, while on call I am very limited to what activities I can take part in. Due to the nature of my role and the need to respond within 30 minutes to 90 minutes I am somewhat tied to my home. Obviously I cannot consume alcohol, go for family meals, go shopping etc. Even while attending hospital appointments, popping to the shop I must wear my uniform, take the vehicle with me and be contactable and ready to respond. It has been brought to my attention that on call time is now classed as working time if you must be at the disposal of your employer during that on call time. Is that correct and if so, should I be paid at least the minimum wage while on call. I am currently paid an annual salary of £22,000 for being on duty an average of 6,570 hours per year which would put my hourly rate at well below the minimum( not including annual leave). Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Have hunted out my statement of employment and sure enough it states that I was contracted to work 00:00 hours per week. So I guess they got their moneys worth.Thanks for the help on this.

I was employed by a company as an on call driver. My shifts were 3 x 24 hrs on call, 3 x 24 hrs on standby and then 3x 24 hrs on rest. I was paid by the hour but only if I was called out. I was also paid £20 for on call and £10 for standby per 24hr shift. I was required to take a company vehicle home, have a company phone and had to respond to any calls . So for my usual 6 shifts on duty I would receive £ 90.00 plus the amount of hours I had actually been away on a job. Should I have been paid for every hour I was on call/standby. My monthly wage varied between £500 and £1800 depending on the amount of jobs I was called out for. I can probably get my old contract and all wage slips etc. but wanted to see others views before I take this any further. Thank you for any feedback on this.

Right,where to start ?? There was no deposit on the property it was waived.Reason being that the house was quite dirty and there was a lot of rubbish lying around off previous occupants,we agreed to remove the rubbish and clean up the property instead of a deposit. As for the Agent saying they couldnt get in touch with the landlord,I agree with you, they contradicted themselves as they only told us last week that the landlord refused to repair shower again

Okay, thier office is about 2 mins away from my home, so I will try and ask first,if I get no joy that way then I will write a letter and hand it in personally,thanks again

Okay,Thankyou for that,will head into see the agent today

Thanks for that link.I am wondering though is it legal to follow that procedure if I cant get in touch with the Landlord.Only corespondence I can send is to the letting agent.

Yes,we have a certificate,they disconnected the gas fire from the gas supply.

Hello,this is my first post here and hope that someone can advise me what to do. I moved into this property in May 2008,and was given a 6mth tenancy,I pay £450 per mth in rent and there are arrears of £280 which are being paid at £50 per mth.We have had no contact with the Landlord,everything is handled by a letting agent. Since the original tenancy agreement ran out we have not signed or been offered a new one despite requesting it on several occasions.There are several issues of disrepair in the property including a shower cubicle that leaks,a boiler that leaks,holes in the wall that you can see daylight through,a gas fire in the living room that does not work nor has ever worked.And now the roof is leaking so bad that water runs down the wall in my 8 yr old daughters room,and drips through the ceiling in my bedroom.When we switch lights on there is a crackling sound and we use a lot of lightbulbs,which makes me think that there is damp getting into the circuits. the letting agency have sent a repairman out to check the roof,boiler,shower etc and he has agreed that the repairs need to be done.However whenever we contact the Agent they say they cant do anything as they cant contact the landlord,they also say that the landlord refuses to pay for the shower repair as it was repaired once before.(This repair took place last year and there was no difference,we let the agent know and they said they would get the plumber back out,we are still waiting) I have a wife and 2 children, daughter aged 8, son aged 11, please advise me on what to do next, we really like the house and would love to stay here,but it is getting very frustrating not knowing what to do,thankyou.