Know Your Care Assistant Job Contract Before Signing!
Contract Type
Care assistant contracts can be full-time, part-time or even zero-hours. If stability in hours is important then look for a contract that sets out a minimum number of hours that the employer undertakes to provide.
Guaranteed Hours
Do your care assistant contracts specify a number of set hours (e.g. 35 hours per week) or refer to work as and when required? With fixed hours comes stable income – as and when work does not.
Travel and Mileage
Home care work means that a lot of travelling is involved between clients. The contract should state the rate at which mileage is reimbursed and whether time spent travelling between clients is paid work.
Probationary Period
The probationary period is generally between 3 and 6 months, during which a contract of employment can be terminated by either party on shorter notice and terms than are contained in the contract.
Annual Leave and Sick Pay
Annual Leave – Under written terms of employment under Irish law your employer must confirm your annual leave in writing. Sick Pay – This is a condition of employment and varies from employer to employer. It is best to confirm this with the employer before commencing work. A useful reference for Care Assistant Jobs Kildare is https://www.caremark.ie/job-opportunities/care-assistant-jobs-kildare.
Read any contract carefully before signing and make sure to clarify any points of uncertainty with your prospective employer.