I need advice Im currently a caregiver and I feel I'm being taken advantage of, My client has several Family members coming for a week long visit and told me I'll need to cook and clean for their Family while their visting, When I suggested that I need to ok this with my boss my client got very angry and told me if I didnt do these things for the Family then He would look for another caregiver that will. I know my responsibilityis to my help my client I just feel like the Family is taking advantage of my services. I informed my employer about this and was told to do what the client wants it just doesnt seem fair to me. Any advice is very much appreciated, Thank You
I am definetly positive that its considered a type of abuse and you as a caregiver are in no way without delegated rites. Look it up you should know anyway just in case it appears your forced to indeed is completly nothing written in clients careplan assessment. I hope it gets better and don't worry anytime its clear that by finding this website you'll be okay.
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You are being taken for granted here and i would only help out her family if i was paid extra you are there to care for her mother not her family? clean up after them i dont think so! so her family are going to be there maybe you could take a vacation?
Under no circumstances would i clean up after family if i wasnt getting paid extra you need to sort this out with the agency are you a carer OR a housekeeper? Gosh like its not enough that you are taking care of her are her family really going to take care of her all day and night?
My advice put your foot down i would never expect my mums carer to clean up after me? Change jobs AND definetly change agencies OR demand youre paid extra. You do this once and it will continue to happen i know ive worked with people like this give an inch etc.... you need to look at your contract but cleaning up after family is not your job and dont let them treat you this way.
It should not be in your job duties to cook, and clean for anyone but your client. If your employer fires because you refuse to do anything outside of the job duties you were hired to do, the Labor Board will be more than happy to get involved, induce penalties (hefty ones), and get you reinstated to your job. You can even file a claim against your employer. I'll say it again everyone....Caregivers are NOT SLAVES, SERVANTS, Or MAIDS! Good luck
I would make sure the client knows my hours (6 hours per day, 5 days per week, legal break times, etc.). No overtime unless paid for by the client.
Then, work your 6 hours every day and leave when your time is up.
If you are cooking, cleaning, etc. for several extra people, you will probably not have time to do everything you usually do. So be it. Do the jobs that are most important for your client's welfare. You can explain to the guests that you work in an hourly basis and must complete your normal duties before adding on any extras (if your time allows).
When the laundry piles up because you are now cooking for 6 people instead of one and can't finish all those piles of clothes on time, so be it. You can show them how to use the washer/dryer if they need something cleaned before you can get to it.
I wouldn't break my neck trying to get all if thus extra work done on time. Just work at your normal pace, stay busy, and try to be in good spirits.
You may actually enjoy these extra people being around (if they're nice people!) more than just having your client to serve. The relatives may actually offer to help you. Say yes if they do!
But stay firm. "My hours are from 8 to 2" ( or whatever they are). "I'm sorry, but I have other obligations and cannot stay longer." Unless they are real (fill in the blanks!), they will understand. If they don't understand, tough. Just try to be upbeat and good-natured but firm.
Please let us know how it goes for you. Feel free to ask for more advice or just to vent. Most of us here understand where you are coming from and do sympathize with you.
Don't let yourself be taken advantage of.
Oh, and is there a possiblity you could trade with someone who wouldn't mind doing this for a week????
Some things shouldn't change a lot. Vacuuming a carpet that eight people have walked on is not harder than vacuuming whe only one person has used the carpet. Dusting doesn't get harder when more people are there. Making a big pot of soup is not a lot harder than making a small pot of soup. But if you are used to assembling a light lunch for one or two people and now you are expected to put a meal together for several people, or to do more meals per day, that will make a difference in your work day. More loads of laundry will make a difference. Maybe the family will keep your client so occupied that you will have the extra time to do these tasks.
Try it for a week. Then discuss it with your boss.
Do you have a specific number of hours per day or per week you have agreed to work for this client?
Are you paid on an hourly basis?
Do you get weekends off or are you expected to be in call 24/7?
There are labor laws, overtime pay for more than 40 hours per week, etc.
If you are paid to work 40 hours per week, than, unless you want to lose this job, than you probably are obligated to do what your client requests, as long as the duties are the same as you have been doing.
Don't forget, you are entitled to lunch and other breaks each day.
If you start working at 8 am, then you stop at 4 pm ( maybe 5 if your lunch hour is not normally included.
What is your company's policy on overtime/mandatory overtime, etc.
Aiding one client is not the same as aiding 4 or 5 or more.
Did you sign an agreement when you became employed by this company? If so, read it.
Given the info you have written down here so far, I do think you are being treated badly and unfairly. You are not a slave.
Are you private care or do you work with an agency... I am private care... so I only have my own guidelines to follow....as I said, they would never ask me to do this, but if they did, I would be asking for extra money during that week.... just a suggestion....
Since it is what your boss wants you to do, apparently this is something the agency provides to clients. You could ask other agencies in your area to see what their policies are.
Is this something you would consider a job change over?