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RichardCoulter · 06-03-2012, 19:46

The employer that I was referring to is actually a Local Authority, so let's hope that your wish that they "go out of business" does not bear fruit, as a lot of people such as the elderly, disabled, children etc would suffer greatly if they did.

The employees accepted that it was the best way to tackle a bad situation and prevent even more redundancies, which could have been either themselves or their colleagues.

They have been selfless, not dumb, in showing loyalty to both their employer and service users (many of whom are vulnerable members of society) and I applaud them for this.

The people that did this could have taken voluntary redundancy as an alternative if they wanted to leave, but many realise that it is very difficult to obtain alternative employment in the current economic climate.

They all signed a new contract of employment and Unison have scrutinised it for any legal irregularities, including ensuring that the minimum wage regulations are satisfied for the hours that they work.

Unfortunately, we will be seeing more and more zero hours contracts.

Tesco, for example, now use them and if the wages budget is exhausted, employees are required to take unpaid leave.

This arrangement, in my view, does not breach the 1998 Working Time Regulations, a summary of which is supplied below along with my comments as to why not.

28 days’ paid annual leave per year- they will still receive this.

An average 48 hours a week working limit- this will be adhered to.

A limit of eight hours (average) work in a 24 hour period for night workers- as will this requirement.

Free health assessments for night workers- and this.
11 hours rest in a 24 hour period- and this.
24 hours rest per week- and this.
Rest breaks for those who work more than six hours- and this too.

I too don't like the way that employers are having to respond to the very serious economic challenges, but it's the harsh reality that we are all going to have to face up to.

In the old days, groups of desperate men would all turn up at Albert Dock on a daily basis touting for work and a select few would be picked for one days work only, with the rest being sent home- let's hope we don't return to those days.

06-03-2012, 19:46	#394
RichardCoulter cf.mega poster Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 10,790	Re: Virgin Media Closing Albert Dock The employer that I was referring to is actually a Local Authority, so let's hope that your wish that they "go out of business" does not bear fruit, as a lot of people such as the elderly, disabled, children etc would suffer greatly if they did. The employees accepted that it was the best way to tackle a bad situation and prevent even more redundancies, which could have been either themselves or their colleagues. They have been selfless, not dumb, in showing loyalty to both their employer and service users (many of whom are vulnerable members of society) and I applaud them for this. The people that did this could have taken voluntary redundancy as an alternative if they wanted to leave, but many realise that it is very difficult to obtain alternative employment in the current economic climate. They all signed a new contract of employment and Unison have scrutinised it for any legal irregularities, including ensuring that the minimum wage regulations are satisfied for the hours that they work. Unfortunately, we will be seeing more and more zero hours contracts. Tesco, for example, now use them and if the wages budget is exhausted, employees are required to take unpaid leave. This arrangement, in my view, does not breach the 1998 Working Time Regulations, a summary of which is supplied below along with my comments as to why not. 28 days’ paid annual leave per year- they will still receive this. An average 48 hours a week working limit- this will be adhered to. A limit of eight hours (average) work in a 24 hour period for night workers- as will this requirement. Free health assessments for night workers- and this. 11 hours rest in a 24 hour period- and this. 24 hours rest per week- and this. Rest breaks for those who work more than six hours- and this too. I too don't like the way that employers are having to respond to the very serious economic challenges, but it's the harsh reality that we are all going to have to face up to. In the old days, groups of desperate men would all turn up at Albert Dock on a daily basis touting for work and a select few would be picked for one days work only, with the rest being sent home- let's hope we don't return to those days.