Beware beware of companion care

Re: Beware beware of companion care

Bob Russell — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 12:46:31 GMT

I wonder if this would have been the result without this forum. I sincerely hope so and that it was a simple mix up.

Satisfactory result, no more!

Re: Beware beware of companion care

Niall Taylor — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 07:38:16 GMT

[quote user="Clive Ansell"]

Update: I have received an apology and an offer to settle a percentage of the lost earnings which I shall accept as I have found alternative work for part of the cancelled period, so it seems in the end an amicable and acceptable resolution will be reached.

[/quote]

Good result.

Niall

Re: Beware beware of companion care

Clive Ansell — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 20:42:17 GMT

Re: Beware beware of companion care

Niall Taylor — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 20:05:31 GMT

[quote user="Bob Russell"]I am afraid that the veterinary profession is too quiet about things. I cannot see anything wrong with name and shame as long as it is done without ulterior motive and malice.[/quote]

As long as you're being truthful and feel you could defend what you are saying and don't go making unfounded conclusions from the facts then name away I say! After that it's up to readers to decide whether there is any shame deserved. If CC have done this for a legitimate reason that we haven't heard all they have to do is speak up and let people judge for themselves.

Niall

Re: Beware beware of companion care

Bob Russell — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 18:26:14 GMT

I am afraid that the veterinary profession is too quiet about things. I cannot see anything wrong with name and shame as long as it is done without ulterior motive and malice.

Re: Beware beware of companion care

Martin Atkinson — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 17:56:14 GMT

My first impression Clive was also that you ought to be careful slinging mub publically although like most independant practitioners I'm hardly a fan of corporates to put it euphemistically. However, as a frequent employer of locums over the past 30 years I would never dream of dumping someone with so little notice unless they had broken their part of the bargain (happened once) but I have had the reverse with someone who presumably had a better offer. I have had occasions when I've amicably re-negotiated because my plans have changed but equally occasions when I've had to take a holiday I didn't really want because I'd promised someone a job and would not renage even on a verbal agreement. Certainly don't let this rest. Sadly I suspect that with the relentless march of corporatisation, loyalty and professionalism will become more and more diluted.

Re: Beware beware of companion care

Simon Neuhoff — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 15:53:29 GMT

Clive - sorry to hear about you being let down but do be careful about rubbishing anybody publicly. The veterinary world is very small and very incestuous and things like that could end up biting you.

Good luck with getting recompense, hope it works out for you.

Re: Beware beware of companion care

Cat Henstridge — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 09:35:18 GMT

If they booked in someone else just because they are cheaper then that is completely unacceptable, especially at such short notice! Fight your corner!

Re: Beware beware of companion care

Clive Ansell — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 07:33:11 GMT

[quote user="Cat Henstridge"]

Hi Clive,

I would imagine the problem is more to do with the practice JVP at the branch rather than head office. In my experience CC practices tend to be fairly autonomous with the partner calling most of the shots, especially on subjects like these.

Sorry to hear about it though, really rude of them. I would definitely bill them and pursue it if you have a contract, it will certainly teach them a lesson!

Cat

[/quote]

This is a new surgery in Speke, and as far as I know they don't yet have a JVP. Either way their behaviour is not acceptable. It is complicated by the fact that companion care (services) ltd at head office, and companion care (Speke) Ltd are separate companies. All negotiation was with HR at head office, but their written contract is with CC (Speke) ltd.

They kept open the booking at the B&B, so I'm guessing they found a cheaper locum perhaps?? but I don't know.

Re: Beware beware of companion care

Cat Henstridge — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 22:35:45 GMT

Hi Clive,

Sorry to hear about it though, really rude of them. I would definitely bill them and pursue it if you have a contract, it will certainly teach them a lesson!

Cat

Re: Beware beware of companion care

Louise Buckley — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 22:08:43 GMT

[quote user="Vikki Halliday"]

I have to say that CC Head Office are generally pretty fair, have a very clued up HR department, and would not normally behave in an unprofessional manner, so perhaps the issue is with the partner in the practice rather than the group?

[/quote]

Agreed! I have done quite a lot of locum work for Companion Care over the last 10 years and have never had a problem like this. In fact, they have always been one of my more favourable locum jobs - they are one of the quickest payers and always have been - money paid direct into my bank account within 5 days! They have never cancelled me with such short notice (or at all). Perhaps you need to issue your own contract in future - stating terms and conditions (inc. minimum cancellation period, etc).

Re: Beware beware of companion care

Clive Ansell — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 22:03:01 GMT

Thanks for the comments everyone. Yes, it was all agreed in writing and in fact they seem to have breached their own contract. Will invoice them and see what happens, then initiate action through the county court if no joy.

In the meantime, be sure to spread the word that they may be best avoided. If you do work for them, cross the t's and dot the i's in case of cancellation.

Re: Beware beware of companion care

Vikki Halliday LLB — Sat, 05 Jun 2010 00:07:23 GMT

[quote user="Martin Jones"]Clive, I'm not sure this is a Companion Care issue - is there any evidence that this is a company policy, or is it just an individual within the organisation who's behaving badly? Is there is a firm contract here? If they offered you the work in writing - and there are no exclusions along the lines of 'and we will cancel whenever we feel like it, without notice' - and you accepted in writing, then you have a case.[/quote]

Quite right. I currently work for CC on a part time basis, but having also worked as a locum in the past, and been caught in a similar circumstance by the PDSA no less, it was pointed out to me that locum work by definition is variable, and unless you have signed a contractual agreement to undertake work on certain dates, it is not ever set in tablets of stone.

Re: Beware beware of companion care

HMC — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 18:30:53 GMT

I have worked for Companion Care locuming in the past and there was a signed contract, so that should work to your advantage.

But to join in the slagging match, CC don't open their doors til (eg) 9am on the dot yet your first consult is booked in for 9am with no thought to orientating you/showing you the computer system!! This applied to 1 branch, with another branch giving me, I think, 10mins orientation (luckily I had used the Jupiter system before).

Have you invoiced them? I would.

Good luck for your case

Re: Beware beware of companion care

Martin Jones — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 17:26:52 GMT

[quote user="Clive Ansell"]

not rouge horse traders.

[/quote]

Blimey, I've heard of greys and chestnuts, but I didn't even know you could get lipstick-coloured horses, never mind trade in them.

Clive, I'm not sure this is a Companion Care issue - is there any evidence that this is a company policy, or is it just an individual within the organisation who's behaving badly? Is there is a firm contract here? If they offered you the work in writing - and there are no exclusions along the lines of 'and we will cancel whenever we feel like it, without notice' - and you accepted in writing, then you have a case.

After all, it would be unprofessional to besmirch the reputations of a large number of professionals for the actions of one or two......

Speaking as a fellow locum, of course, I think it's a pants way to behave. Hope you can dig something up at short notice, mate.

Martin

Re: Beware beware of companion care

Anthony Todd — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 00:26:08 GMT

If you are sure of your ground, and can support your claim with documents, sue them in the County Court.

Fees and procedure are on-line and the procedure is simple. Money Claim Online.

They may have incorrect information which may affect your future employment elsewhere.

Probably some nitwit just double booked a locum and the boss doesn't even know they've dumped you.

Mind you, I've had the reverse happen........

Re: Beware beware of companion care

HERETIC — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 21:55:18 GMT

If you are a BVA member ask their free legal advice team. It sounds like breach of contract to me but lawyers can come a bit pricey.