Three out of four care staff who look after people at home are not being paid for the time it takes them to travel between appointments, according to new research.
Unison said its survey of more than 300 care workers across England revealed that employers are effectively breaking minimum wage laws, costing staff hundreds of pounds each month.
Homecare workers spend a fifth of their working day travelling between people’s homes, mostly paid at or just above the minimum wage, but this is “dramatically” reduced if their employer does not pay travel time, said the union.
Unison called for travel time payment to become a contractual requirement, warning that vacancy levels across care – currently 165,000 – will increase if action is not taken by the Government.
General secretary Christina McAnea said: “Both care staff and those they look after are the victims of this pay scandal. Vulnerable people suffer when their already-rationed care visits are cut short or delayed.
“Unison has been highlighting this exploitation for over a decade. Yet the Government has responded with inaction and indifference.
“These appalling working practices must be tackled urgently if more people are to be encouraged to work in a sector desperately short of staff.
“Disabled and elderly people receiving care support will want an end to the exploitation of those looking after them. When it does, everyone will benefit.”
