I am a self-employed private carer.
My client is tetraplegic and his care is paid for by the NHS. The work is very heavy and more difficult than with many other clients I have had. He uses suction, sarcophagus, hoists and I have to perform CPR every morning and sometimes during the day. It is very physically intensive work.
His mother acts as though I am a domestic servant for her and the household. She insists that I am always busy. If my client doesn't require anything doing, she will find me sitting near to him and she will give me tasks such as:
Cleaning the sisters' room.
Cleaning the kitchen.
Recently she wanted me to massage her knee, that was giving her problems.
I have no issue doing work that relates directly to my client, such as ironing his clothes, washing the bathroom (because he uses that), cleaning his bedroom etc. I do so much for him, he wouldn't be alive if it weren't for my constant hard work.
He does not use the kitchen. He does not use his sisters' bedroom. His mother's knee is not part of my job.
I need my job. I am afraid of losing my job if I confront her. I have been working for him for two and a half months and I need good references so I can continue to find clients as a carer or a nanny in the UK.
...but the NHS is paying for his care. It doesn't seem right that this woman should expect all this additional work - and she doesn't even pay for it - it's meant to be care work for my client, not domestic servitude.
I need some advice.
My client is tetraplegic and his care is paid for by the NHS. The work is very heavy and more difficult than with many other clients I have had. He uses suction, sarcophagus, hoists and I have to perform CPR every morning and sometimes during the day. It is very physically intensive work.
His mother acts as though I am a domestic servant for her and the household. She insists that I am always busy. If my client doesn't require anything doing, she will find me sitting near to him and she will give me tasks such as:
Cleaning the sisters' room.
Cleaning the kitchen.
Recently she wanted me to massage her knee, that was giving her problems.
I have no issue doing work that relates directly to my client, such as ironing his clothes, washing the bathroom (because he uses that), cleaning his bedroom etc. I do so much for him, he wouldn't be alive if it weren't for my constant hard work.
He does not use the kitchen. He does not use his sisters' bedroom. His mother's knee is not part of my job.
I need my job. I am afraid of losing my job if I confront her. I have been working for him for two and a half months and I need good references so I can continue to find clients as a carer or a nanny in the UK.
...but the NHS is paying for his care. It doesn't seem right that this woman should expect all this additional work - and she doesn't even pay for it - it's meant to be care work for my client, not domestic servitude.
I need some advice.