Confused about my new contract

[the_nack]

Hi there, I'm new to all this so bear with me. I started working for the Royal mail about 2 months ago as a casual worker. I've been doing on average about 30+ hours a week. My local manager asked me a couple of weeks back if I'd like to go on a saturday contract, telling me I'd do the same hours and would get a higher hourly rate and would be permanent until october. So I obviously said yes please, my new contract started last saturday, and all I've had this week is 13 hours including today.
I also got my new contarct to sign today, and am confused by what it says under rates of pay. It states my starting salary will be £323.57 per week (pro rata for part time).
Could some one put this in simply terms for me as I'm only 19 and don't understand half the gibberish, and do you think I should be doing more hours then this week, because 13 hours at my old rate of pay won't pay enough for my personal expenses.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Basically the £323.57 is gross pay for FT staff on either 39 or 40 hours a week. Thats what they call yur pay rate.

What you actually get paid will be £323.57 dived by 40 to get the hourly rate - then multiply this by your contract hours and this will be your basic week.

You will need to find out if your FTs are on 39 or 40 hours to get your rate.

IIRC if your on a Saturday only contract that usually means you basic hours are 8 per week and this is all that they can gurantee for you. Most weeks you'll do more but do not budget for more than your basic.

You also, depending on your circumstances,may be eligible for various allowances from the Job Centre it might be worth contacting them.