Fair or Unfair treatment

RE: Fair or Unfair treatment

grumpyoldman — Sat, 16 Feb 2019 13:46:59 GMT

Sounds like you may be better off just "doing one really". We do some exotics and its interesting for me personally particularly birds and reptiles . The clients are however often fickle and can be time wasters with severe forumitis. As part of the business overall it can be annoying when they waste limited appointment slots with (failure to arrive ) etc and i can see that harder nosed business minds than mine would quickly come to the conclusion that they are of marginal if any benefit to the practice as a whole particularly if no one else is interested . If something is for nothing it has no value its also not fair to subsidise these hobbyists activities with fees paid by Cat and Dog owners or their insurers.

RE: Fair or Unfair treatment

Edward Jones — Fri, 15 Feb 2019 08:46:14 GMT

I'm no expert, but my initial impression is that the agreement that you could use the accommodation supersedes the written contract. Any reasonable agreement to use an accommodation must have a reasonable termination period, which would certainly not be 24 hours. Even though these terms were not agreed in advance, its very unlikely you would have agreed to this. I would not leave and I would remind your boss of the laws around illegal evictions.

Secondly I would be of the opinion that this treatment has instantly created an toxic working environment making it impossible for you continue working there, as of now. I'd live off my savings for the duration of the notice period, continue living in the accommodation until alternative arrangements have been made, then if they decide not to pay you for the notice period sue them for constructive dismissal for this period.

I would also insist on being paid for the unused holiday.

None of that is advice, in fact it might all be rubbish but it is how I might feel. Don't be bullied.

I'd also send a speculative invoice for the hire of the equipment that the practice has been using.

I respect George Cooper's advice above to retain composure, although sometimes it's worth being a bit of an arse when you've nothing to lose. Make whoever's job it is to speak to you a bit more likely to go off and do something else on their to do list!

RE: Fair or Unfair treatment

Dinu Catilina — Fri, 15 Feb 2019 08:06:14 GMT

Hi Paul. Messy thing hope its gets sorted out soon. A couple of thoughts: if that room was your residence you can't just be kicked out regardless of who owns the property but do you really want to go down that route?

And remember that if it's given for free then it's probably not going to be appreciated regardless if it's consults or ortho equipment.

Good luck!

RE: Fair or Unfair treatment

Alistair Graham-Evans — Fri, 15 Feb 2019 02:18:54 GMT

It’s really impossible to comment on one party’s view of a complicated messy disagreement. I personally don’t think a public forum is the best place to try and resolve it. I don’t think doing free consultations ( though in your own time) is a great way to build up a future serious professional business and not going to endear you to your employer. Maybe giving talks to local special interest exotic pet groups would be better? I hope your circumstances improve in the future.

RE: Fair or Unfair treatment

George Cooper — Fri, 15 Feb 2019 01:02:54 GMT

It is also worth remembering that a contract does NOT have to be in writing but can be a simple verbal agreement covering the 3 or 4 required items like Agreement, Benefits, and the like. A brief Google will bring up some lovely succinct and accurate definitions of what a contract is.

The only way they can be tested though is in the courts. I would echo the suggestions firstly to use the BVA helpline maybe as an initial "filter" before thereafter seeking your own solicitor.

On the basis of that which you set out above it sounds like you have been treated very poorly indeed. It is, though, as Gillian says, your own perception and there may be a different view taken by the management.

Seek professional help as soon as you possibly can; retain a professional composure as things WILL get sorted out; try not to get angry or remonstrate with any of the team - the nurses and other vets will need to keep working there once you have gone.; and seek only what is yours - including that 11 days leave owed. Try to make copious notes of who said what and when, so that you dont rely on mem=ory when under pressure.

Good luck with that as it can't be pleasant in the circumstances, and chalk it up to experience.

RE: Fair or Unfair treatment

Iain Richards — Thu, 14 Feb 2019 22:31:59 GMT

If a BVA member, ring the BVA.

Did you have any contract with the previous practice? If so then the new owner cannot change anything in that without consultation (TUPE regs). So if you have an old contract, they have to honour it. By the sounds of it, you are best out of there.

RE: Fair or Unfair treatment

Gillian Mostyn — Thu, 14 Feb 2019 21:41:30 GMT

I'm afraid the situation is probably too complicated for anybody to help on an internet forum. After all, with all due respect, you're only going to look at it from your perspective.

It all depends on what your contract says and what you've got in writing regarding the situation around your house sale. I'd strongly recommend getting advice from a lawyer.

As regards your notice period, it doesn't seem fair to even expect you to work it in the current situation. Have you asked them if they intend to enforce it in any way? Or whether they will withold any wage due if you walk?

Good luck!