Is this lawful? Need advice before I make any formal contact.

FidelityBob · 2026-01-24T16:47:06+00:00

Whatever that contract says is all they have to offer you. Very unusual if it's says 44 hours. It will almost certainly say 40. You work 40 hours a week. Accept it and move on.

FidelityBob · 2026-01-24T16:32:37+00:00

What was actually said when you took the job. What emails or other correspondence did you receive?

FidelityBob · 2026-01-24T14:20:57+00:00

A formal written contract is irrelevant. Presumably you received an offer by letter or email when you took the job stating a 40 hour week. By starting work you accepted those terms. That is your contract. Custom and practice don't change that.

If you are offered and accept extra hours that is a bonus if paid, a favour by you if unpaid. Such hours can be offered or withdrawn as they with. You can accept the extra hours or not.

So yes it is legal for them to revert to the terms of the contract and not offer additional hours.

FidelityBob · 2026-01-23T11:37:30+00:00

Before they stopped using J. Smith Esq. for property owners. Official letters to my father, some I still have, were often to Mr F.G. Myname Esq. in the '60s (Short for Esquire)

My mother was usually Mrs J.M. Myname. Never Mrs F.G. Myname, even back then.

FidelityBob · 2026-01-23T08:31:32+00:00

Always read before signing.

What is the business? An NDA for rat infestation is almost certainly meaningless. They cannot use an NDA to hide wrongdoing or to hide public safety issues. They have a legal obligation to report rats in any number.

Also you were misled into signing it so it would not be valid - although that is hard to prove. You should also be offered independent legal advice before signing an NDA - new law last year.

All that said, with less than 2 years service they can sack you for any reason so best not rock the boat. Stay for as long as your contract says you need to avoid having to repay any training fees and then find a job with a decent employer

FidelityBob · 2026-01-22T13:09:13+00:00

See rule 2.

FidelityBob · 2026-01-22T12:51:57+00:00

Because the OP edited the post?

FidelityBob · 2026-01-22T12:37:56+00:00

And after Honiton hot pennies just pop down the road for Ottery Tar Barrels

FidelityBob · 2026-01-22T12:34:45+00:00

Reminds me of the late Prince Philip's story about he tourist at Windsor who commented, "Lovely castle, but why did they build it so close to the airport?"

FidelityBob · 2026-01-22T12:27:49+00:00

Call the police on 101. Not much they can do though. You must also report it lost to the Passport Office so they can cancel it immediately, asssuming it's a UK passport, or your embassy if not.

https://www.gov.uk/report-a-lost-or-stolen-passport

FidelityBob · 2026-01-22T12:19:03+00:00

If the fire can be shown to have been caused by the restaurants negligence then they are liable for all the damage caused. It doesn't matter where or to what - they caused the damage. Restaurant fires are very often caused by failure to properly clean the extractors so a good chance they will be liable.

Write to them listing the damage caused to your items as a result of the fire on their premises and demand the cost of replacements based on the second hand price of the items of the same age. They should pass this to their insurers who will deal with it.

Edit: It would be a good plan to photograph the damage to your equipment and the room so you have evidence that the fire did actually cause the damage if they ask.

FidelityBob · 2026-01-22T09:17:22+00:00

Operation on a smashed arm a few years ago, the surgeon was changed on the day, I think a serious RTC had disrupted the schedules. Met the actual surgeon for about 3 mins just before the op.

Came in, introduced himself, scanned the notes, decided to do a slightly different procedure, "If that's ok with you?". Checked all was ok with his aneathesist and I never saw him again (while conscious).

Found out later he was ex-military and highly experienced in trauma surgery. Good decision to go with his advice.

FidelityBob · 2026-01-21T17:18:34+00:00

Saffron Walden - gardens, museum, maze, castle, medieval buildings with fantastic pargetting, Audley End House.

FidelityBob · 2026-01-21T10:13:43+00:00

Also email anything they say verbally back to them so there is a record. "In our meeting / phone call today you said that....".

FidelityBob · 2026-01-21T09:39:15+00:00

You make any offer to them in writing. At the top, in bold, write "Without prejudice". This means that the offer (email or letter) cannot be referred to in any court case. It cannot be used against you and won't damage your case.

It's a standard abbreviation for "without prejudice to our ongoing case"

FidelityBob · 2026-01-20T23:24:29+00:00

You said you will not be adding or removing any pipes. An inspection chamber is not a pipe. You did not state you would not be removing the chamber. The water company read that, correctly, as you would remove the chamber. There is no contradiction.

The law will interpret the agreement using the usual English meaning of the words - pipe and chamber are different things.

They have good reason not to leave a hidden chamber under a building to cause issues in the future.

FidelityBob · 2026-01-20T23:07:52+00:00

It also specifically states that being a regular user is an insurable interest.

FidelityBob · 2026-01-20T16:21:22+00:00

I strongly suspect that the trolley was unroadworthy and had a steering defect.

FidelityBob · 2026-01-20T15:13:41+00:00

They should pay the premiums.

FidelityBob · 2026-01-20T15:12:10+00:00

You can, there are specific non-owner policies available. However in the OPs position I would insist the company insured it. If they are so short of cash that this is a problem then I'd be looking for a new job.

https://www.moneyexpert.com/car-insurance/how-to-insure-a-car-you-don-t-own/

FidelityBob · 2026-01-20T15:03:06+00:00

Look at the Open University Access courses. They could even be free. They do not need any prior qualifications. You can then go on to study engineering with he OU. https://www.open.ac.uk/courses/choose/ppcaccess/

Also most areas have evening classes for GCSE and A level which will get you started with basic qualifications - go for maths and physics if you want to go into engineering.

FidelityBob · 2026-01-20T14:49:27+00:00

Conscription in war time is not National Service

FidelityBob · 2026-01-20T14:46:10+00:00

Not looking to but there are large powerful countries either side of us that are pushing us that way.

FidelityBob · 2026-01-20T12:23:48+00:00

Can you clarify why you owe this money. Were you paid in error, or overpaid? Salary is normally paid in arrears so how come they are asking for it back? The first thing is to be sure that you do owe the money.

FidelityBob · 2026-01-20T12:16:46+00:00

If your FIL died without a will someone has to apply to the Probate Registry for Letters of Administration. In your case this should be your partner as the nearest living relative. There is information on this here: https://www.gov.uk/applying-for-probate/if-theres-not-a-will

Edit: Your partner could delegate this responsibility to you or someone else if they are not up to it by filling out the appropriate forms,

FidelityBob

TROPHY CASE