UNISON is the UK’s largest union, and we’re the union for care workers.
Sleep-ins, impossible rotas, zero hours contracts, unpaid travel time, just fifteen minutes to care. When you’ve got a problem, we’re right there to help you.
So, what are your rights, and what can you do?
-
- Check your rights now – See our FAQs below
- Join a union and get support. Join UNISON now from £1.30 a month
- Join our campaign to change care
There are around half a million home care workers in the UK like you, many are facing issues at work.
Latest on sleep-ins for care workers
What has happened at the Supreme Court?
Who this affected and where?
National Minimum Wage Regulations are applicable across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The ruling applies across the UK for all staff doing sleep-in shifts in the care sector, and potentially similar sleep-in shifts in other sectors.
What is UNISON’s position?
Our position remains unchanged – that workers should be paid National Minimum Wage when they have to sleep at work. This ruling is yet another reminder of how care work is under-valued and underpaid. The need for reform and proper funding of the care sector has never been more urgent and UNISON will not stop campaigning to win you fair pay.
How can I get advice and support from UNISON?
If you are a UNISON member and wish to speak to someone, you should contact your branch. Care members can also contact UNISON at care@unison.co.uk.
How can I get involved in campaigning on this issue?
Please sign the petition and send a clear signal to the UK government that the fight for fair pay is not going away.
Need help at work? Join UNISON now
Coronavirus advice for social care workers
This page is for care workers, including residential, homecare and community care for both adults and children. It provides advice in relation to COVID-19. Spotting issues during the crisis: your help needed If you become aware of a workplace problem in a social care setting, related to the coronavirus outbreak, email us with a short […]
Sleep-ins judgment: Q&A
Today the Supreme Court has announced their ruling on a UNISON-backed case taken on behalf of a care worker member against her employer, Mencap.
The Ethical Care Charter
The details of the Ethical Care Charter and how to sign up to it.
FAQs
Care workers: your rights
-
Am I entitled to paid travel time?
Yes. All homecare workers are entitled to be paid at least the national minimum wage or national living wage for the work that they do. This includes care workers on zero hours contracts.
This means that time spent caring for clients, travelling to appointments and waiting to start the appointment should be included in the pay calculation.
At the very least the work done must average out as at least the national minimum wage or national living wage.
If it does not, then the pay is unlawful you can make a claim to the Employment Tribunal or raise a complaint with HM Revenue & Customs via ACAS.
If you think that you are not receiving the correct pay you can contact UNISON – 0800 0857 857
Tens of thousands of homecare workers are not being paid for their travel time. Homecare workers spends their days making visits to people who need care; they are constantly on the move. Government guidance is clear – you should be paid for this.
-
What is the minimum and national living wage?
If you are a worker aged 25 and over, you are legally entitled to at least the National Living Wage.
It is illegal for your employer to pay you below the National Living Wage, so check your pay and make sure it is correct.
If you are a worker aged under 25, or an apprentice, you are legally entitled to at least the National Minimum Wage.
Since April 2020, the hourly national minimum wage rates are:
- £8.72 for workers aged 25 and above (The National Living Wage)
- £8.20 for workers aged 21-24;
- £6.55 for workers aged 18-20;
- £4.35 for workers aged 16-17;
- £4.15 for apprentices under 19, or in the first year of their apprenticeship.
It doesn’t matter how small an employer is, they still have to pay at least the national living wage or minimum wage (depending on your age).
You should also be paid the national living wage for your travel time between clients, or between a client and the office.
If you are not sure if you are being paid correctly, talk to a union rep. Call us on 0800 0857 857 for contact details
Gov.uk – Your pay, tax and the National Minimum Wage
-
Can I claim tax credits or universal credit?
Working tax credit supports those on low incomes in work and you don’t need children to get it. Check what you might be entitled to:
-
Can I get help with the cost of cleaning my uniform?
Did you know that following an agreement between UNISON and the
Inland Revenue, you may be able to claim tax relief for cleaning your
uniform?You can get tax relief for the cost of laundering your uniform,
but only where you have to meet the costs out of your own
pocket.You cannot claim if your employer takes care of the
cleaning or provides cleaning tokens or free cleaning facilities
for you to use.Nor can you claim uniform laundry costs if you do not have to
wear a uniform to do your job.There is no tax relief for the costs of cleaning ordinary clothes.
-
Do I have a legal right to join a union?
All workers and employees have a legal right to join a trade union if they wish to do so. It is unlawful for an employer to discipline or sack a person because they talk to or join a trade union. Being a member of a trade union gives workers greater protection and access to a wide range of services and benefits.
Join UNISON – call us on 0800 0857 857
-
I’m on a zero hours contract, can I join a union?
Yes. A number of UNISON members are on zero hours contracts and have been supported by their union to raise issues with their employer. You also have access to a wide range of services and benefits as a result of being in the union.
UNISON is working to help care workers on zero hours contracts: Guardian article
Join UNISON – call us on 0800 0857 857
-
What should I be paid for sleeping-in?
Check the latest update on sleep-ins in the box above on this page.
If you think that you are not receiving the correct pay you can contact UNISON – 0800 0857 857
-
Does it cost a lot to be in a union?
UNISON has membership rates which are linked to earnings. The more you earn the more you have to pay. However, these have been calculated to be affordable for each band – our lowest rate of subscriptions is just £1.30 per month.
Membership of UNISON gives access to a wide range of services. For more information or to join today.
Join UNISON – call us on 0800 0857 857
-
Am I entitled to a contract?
Employees are legally entitled to a contract – a written statement of the main terms and conditions of employment – within two calendar months of starting work.
Your contract should include details of things like pay, holidays and working hours.
-
What are my rights as an agency worker?
Agency workers have the same rights as other employees with respect to basic employment and working conditions, if and when they complete a qualifying period of 12 weeks in a particular job.
If you are concerned about your situation at work, please talk to us. Call on 0800 0857 857
-
What are my rights to holidays, maternity pay and other leave?
There are laws setting out the minimum amount of leave you can take – you cannot be worse off under your employer’s own terms.
Taking one type of leave should not generally affect your other leave allowances. Check our guide on the different kinds of leave
-
Do I have a right to a rest break?
Workers over 18 are entitled to 3 types of break – rest breaks at work, daily rest and weekly rest.
Rest breaks at work
You have the right to a 20 minute rest break during your working day, if you work more than 6 hours a day. This could be a tea or lunch break.The break doesn’t have to be paid – it depends on your employment contract.
Daily rest
You have the right to 11 hours rest between working days, eg if you finish work at 8pm, you shouldn’t be asked to start work again until 7am the next day.Weekly rest
Workers have the right to either:- an uninterrupted 24 hours without any work each week
- an uninterrupted 48 hours without any work each fortnight
If you think that you are not getting rest breaks you need you can contact UNISON – 0800 0857 857
-
What are the rules on staffing in care homes?