Bad day at work

[janot]

Had a meeting at work today and we were all told that our contracts are going to change this year, staff will no longer be able to work for our company if had CCJ's & Bankrupcy (knew this) but now they are adding IVA's I am gutted as this will mean when they do the yearly credit checks it will show up and i will loose my job.

can a company do this? i have worked there for 7 years and love my job, i also want my IVA to work and loosing my job will mean i do not have the income.

just when i thought i was sorted this.

any advise guys?

[luluj]

Janot - I have no answers, just simply wanted to say how sorry I am for you. Who do you work for, what type of business are you that this would have such an impact in? - is it a national company, could you go to your boss and explain the circumstances and see if there is any alternatie work you could do that wouldn't be affected.

Lulu

[Adam Davies]

Hi
I would have thought that any changes in company policy will not be retrospective.
If they do credit checks on a yearly basis then you may as well contact your line manager now and see what they have to say.
Technically you have done nothing wrong as the rule was not in place when you took out your IVA
regards

Andy Davie
IVA.co.uk Spokesperson and Website Manager

About me:
http://www.iva.co.uk/andy_davie_profile.asp

IVA Helpline: 0800 197 4838
http://www.iva.co.uk/iva_helpline.asp

[MelanieGiles]

That is hideous prejudice, and I would love to see that be put to a European Court of Human Rights. Penalised for doing something to pay back your debts - that employer does not deserve to have loyal staff like you.

Let them do what they have to do, and in the event that your contract does become at risk I would then consult an employment lawyer.

Regards, Melanie Giles, Insolvency Practitioner for over 20 years.

To have me propose an IVA for you, please visit:
http://www.melaniegiles.com/ivaEnquiry.asp

See customer feedback at:
http://www.iva.com/iva_companies/IVA_Advice_Bureau.asp

[janot]

Hi, I work for a company that provides credit card protection (insurance) and we supply it on behalf of banks etc.

however we can not see peoples accounts or have access to accounts we do stop their cedit and debit cards.

I agree with Melanie, just because i have debt doesnt mean i am a bad person, i would never steal from or harm anyone.

i feel bad i am in this situation and am truly sorry i have had to enter this IVA.

i am racked with worry and have cried since i got home.

[aguise]

Surely this would only apply to new staff. If not then employers just make up rules to exclude staff from their job, if they feel like cutting back. I would speak to someone as Andy says and sort this out now to save you worrying.

Ang

Please visit my blog at http://aguise.blogs.iva.co.uk/

[janot]

I said this in the meeting and they are making us sign new contracts to say we cannot have them.

Currently we can, but when the new contact is signed i will be covered by that.

We are going to have to agree to yearly credit checks. so it will show on that.


janot

[aguise]

Surely the new contract will stand from when you sign it, if the iva was previous to that then it should make no difference. It should be from when he new rule applies.

Ang

Please visit my blog at http://aguise.blogs.iva.co.uk/

[MelanieGiles]

Take legal advice before you sign anything. This is an infringement of your human rights, and is completely unecessary. You need to find out where you stand regarding any compensation regarding loss of office from an unfair amendment to your employment terms.

Regards, Melanie Giles, Insolvency Practitioner for over 20 years.

To have me propose an IVA for you, please visit:
http://www.melaniegiles.com/ivaEnquiry.asp

See customer feedback at:
http://www.iva.com/iva_companies/IVA_Advice_Bureau.asp

[janot]

Ang, I agree it should only apply to new staff, will fight it got nothing to loose.

----------------

Melanie, thanks your advise is always good. will seak advise and will not sign anything until i know where i stand.


janot

[johnz]

Oh, mate that is soooo wrong. The company I work for provide software so that IFA's can sell mortgages and insurances. And I used to work for a company that did software for the motor insurance industry. I don't have contact with the customers, but if I was of the illegal and dodgy type, I could get a mortgage, life insurance and so on. Luckily I'm not that type of person. All the same, when I was first looking into getting an IVA, and even looked at going Bankrupt, I spoke to my boss and was told it wasn't a problem. Like Melanie said, mate, you really need to get some legal advice before signing anything. One thing you might get told (I was told this when I needed some advice once) is that while you are employed by them, you can't really do much. But once they sack you or force you to resign, you could take them to a tribunal. But you would need to prove that they have acted illegally. Speak to the CAB first off and go from there.

Good luck and let us know how you get on.

Johnz

[johnz]

I forgot to say...
Keep a record of all conversations you have at work about this, and the names of anyone included or even anyone who overhears, try and get it in writing from them that they are intending to do it, and above all, do not feel that you HAVE to sign this new contract. You don't. Try to get something in writing that outlines what will happen if you don't sign. All of this will be evidence against them when you need it.

Johnz

[janot]

Thanks Johnz, that is all good advice. I will start to keep records.

janot

[North East Derbyshire CAB]

Genuinely sorry to hear this.

You could try ringing the ACAS helpline (08457 47 47 47 www.acas.org.uk) as they offer free telephone advice on employment problems. You do not have to give your name or employers details. If you do contact the above it would be wise to have your enquiry details fully set out before ringing them and a pen and paper ready to jot down any advice.

Also if you have a local law centre, it may be worth contacting them. In some cases they can assist you for free depending on your financial circumstances.

Hope this helps and good luck.

[janot]

Thank you North east Derby CAB, that is a good idea, i will call the ACAS helpline to see where i stand. i will let you know the outcome. Must be honest though, i was thinking of looking for another job, don't want all the people there knowing my business. I don't like conflict either and would crumble under the strain.

janot