I am a live-in caregiver. I have been at the client's house for 8 months without any days off to go home. I am getting burnt out however I am not able to have any days off until 1 year. My boss says after one year I am allowed 2 weeks off. Can she do that?
What are my rights for getting time off? I work privately and my taxes are being withdrawn. I live in Connecticut.
I have a home care aide that works varied hours, but the same rules apply. She has her own apartment in town. If someone is working at meal time, they are welcome to eat what is prepared. Otherwise, they can bring their lunch. I don't expect or want home health aide cooking in my kitchen. I'm very picky about my kitchen. Only me, the housekeeeper and my stepson and 3 grandchildren who live here use the kitchen.
I don't know if they even employed 'overnight CG's'--that alone would take you far above the 32 hr limit.
I have seen the CG industry get slightly better since I left it. The pay at my particular agency was almost insultingly low, my employers tipped me out, monthly to bring it up to a standard they felt I was worth. This was done out in the open (one of my client's sons was an atty) and so it was all aboveboard...and it did help me to feel like I had some value.
You are being seriously underpaid. And the fact you basically cannot leave, ever, is slavery! Even tho you state your client sleeps through the night, you obviously cannot leave her. So you're NEVER off the clock!
You're exactly right. That's how agencies always operate. They give just under full time (40 hours) so they don't have to offer any benefits.
I used to get the 32 hours a week then take fill-in assignments sometimes up to 50 and 60 hours a week. It didn't count as regular hours so I was still technically "part-time". It didn't count as overtime either.
That's why I went private care and worked for myself.
Are your 2 weeks off (after a year) paid time off? If not, you have nothing to lose by quitting. I have never heard of anyone working 24/7 for months on end. It is long past time to renegotiate. Either you get days off (unpaid) on a regular basis or you work until you quit. They cannot do anything to you if you give notice. They cannot withhold wages or punish you in any way.
As suggested, make sure taxes are actually being paid on your account. Do you get quarterly statements? If not, demand this retroactively. If they are not paying taxes and SS into your account, get help fast to rectify this. Make sure you have a signed copy of your contract to prove they are responsible for withholding and paying those assessments.
You sound like you are an ethical and responsible person. If they want a good, long-term caregiver, they will work with you.
Live-in caregivers are not paid hourly. They are paid a set amount per week.
Free room and board is factored into their wages. It does not replace money wages but it is part of it and can be considered similar to getting tips like a waitress or a hairdresser. They don't get paid minimum wage either.