Unreasonable Employers

[claired1977]

My employer keeps changing the goal posts for what they want, most recently trying to force staff to start shift 15 mins BEFORE they are due to (start at 8but they want us there at 7.45) without being paid it’s not in our contracts contract states 8-8pm Can they force staff to do this?

[LadyCG]

Reported^^

[bobbinwales]

I can see why they don't want you turning up at 8 on the dot.... but they should give you notice of plans tto revise your contract. If you don't agree you'd be free to leave. Also depends on ur Union if you got one

[wolf63]

You are probably supposed to be there and ready to work on the dot of eight. The 15 minutes will give you time to get organised. Many employers work a similar system.

[claired1977]

They wish for us to start working (handover) 15 mins before our shift start time, the 15 mins doesn’t have anything to do with being organised etc, many staff are in the building before 8 and are ready to start work bang on 8.. however as I say this is not a 15 minute time span to be ready this is a you must be in work 15 mins earlier and work 15 mins earlier for no pay

[Hymie]

I’ve never heard of an employer insisting that employees arrive at work before the time they are supposed to start work – I doubt they would win an industrial tribunal case where an employee was sacked for not being at work, where they were not being paid for that time.

[Hymie]

As per bobbinwales; if you don’t agree you’d be free to leave – well that’s generous of the employer.

I am free to leave my employer at anytime I want; but if you have an employer who insists on such things (being at work without pay) I think it’s time to leave.

If you have been employed by them for more than two years, I’d insist on a constructive dismissal payout, as the price of getting rid of me.

[naomi24]

Does the shift before yours finish work when you take over - ie 15 minutes early - and do those who take over from you start 15 minutes early as you’re required to do, allowing you to finish early? If so it’s just moving the 15 minutes you’re paid to do.

[claired1977]

No night staff are required to stay until 8 when their shift finishes, however they are now being told to be ready and in the building for 19.45 for handover but shift officially starts at 20.00 as stated this extra 15 mins has not been requested it has been told we will do and will also be unpaid for all

[bobbinwales]

If its only a few empoyees all the employer needs to do is give you notice as per your contact, probably 1 month if its non-superviser role, and then issue a new contract with the new hours which you can either accept or reject. There will be a consultation period when hopefully you can state your case for more money or shorter hours but often the employers made there mind up already. If there a large number effected they got to give more consultation time before they issue your notice. If you have a good union they'll help.
The employees need to get together and resist, they wont mind afew refusing to sign new contracts but they wont want to have to replace a big number of staff at once, good luck. Also worth asking ACAS but I cant see them saying different. Been there done that

[Hymie]

As per my post above – you can only take your employer to an industrial tribunal if you have been employed by them for at least 2 years (there are a few exceptions to this).

If you sign and agree to the new terms, then you have agreed. If you don’t sign the new terms but nevertheless work under those new rules, after 3 months you will be considered to have accepted the new rules.

But if you do not accept the new rules (and refuse turn up 15 minutes early each day) your employer will have two main options, to continue your employment contract as is, or to dismiss you (they could come to some other arrangement with you).
If you do plan to refuse the new rules, I would advise that you put that in writing, otherwise they may claim that you are arriving 15 minutes early every day and have accepted the new terms.

You only have 3 months in which to bring a case before an industrial tribunal from the date that the new rules came into effect.

If you are considering taking a course of action that could lead to your loss of employment – I would strongly recommend you take advice from an organisation such as ACAS, rather than those on AB.

This is all very worrying, it appears that UK employers are treating their staff as serfs.

[Hymie]

If my employer told me to arrive 15 minutes early (unpaid) for work – I would tell them where to stick their job.

[bobbinwales]

I always arrive more than 15 mins early ... if I aim to arrive exactly on time and theres a travel hold up id be late. Better to arrive relaxed

[claired1977]

There is no change in contract being offered we are just told we have to do this many of us are in the building before 8, as that’s when our shift starts, we are in a rural location and public transport for many is the only way in, as such sometimes some are held up but are always on time to get for their shifts like I say no contracts changed just a YOU MUST do this, there has been no offer to be paid for this extra time we will be working

[Hymie]

It sounds like they are being sneaky, once the change has been accepted – after 3 months it will be a fait accompli, that the employees have accepted the new working arrangements.

I would tell them if they are not willing to put it in a contract – you are not willing to arrive 15 minutes early.

[Zacs-Master]

Call ACAS, they’re very helpful.
https://www.acas.org.uk/contact

[douglas9401]

I'm getting a whiff of Sports Direct.

[Zacs-Master]

With a smattering of Amazon, possibly.

[claired1977]

Lol no a residential home