MiHomecare: One of UK’s biggest care agencies being sued for paying below minimum wage
This shocking story, based on seeking to deliver crucial life enhancing support to people on the cheap, eloquently makes the case for the mutualisation of rural domiciliary care through village companies. I can offer more insights if you email me. It reports on a tribunal case in terms of pay and conditions for a dom care worker…
The case is the first time a major care provider has been taken to court for its failure to cover travelling between appointments.
MiHomecare is the fourth-biggest home-care services company in Britain, employing around 4,000 staff in 38 branches. If successful, this case could have implications for thousands of its employees, as well as care workers in other companies.
It is estimated that 883,000 people receive care in their own home in the UK with more than 500,000 people employed in the sector. Lawyers say the number of potential claims could run into thousands, costing care providers millions of pounds in unpaid wages.
Caroline Barlow, 56, from Devon, who issued the claim at Bristol Employment Tribunal, worked for MiHomecare looking after elderly, disabled or infirm patients in their homes. Despite the fact that travelling between appointments was an integral part of the job in rural Devon, she was only reimbursed for her petrol and not paid for her time. She reported the issue to HMRC, which is still investigating, but has now decided to take legal action herself.