work expects me to work through unpaid dinner hour

ceridwen

timmmers wrote: »

No wish to be awkward here....but do you not see how those two things are probably related ?

How do merged companies usually save money to increase profits?
In fact, the main saving is staff no longer required and branches closed etc.

t

But...actually....I DO have to echo the point that firms do mergers for their own ends - ie to increase their profits. There quite possibly IS some duplication of posts between the two companies - and they might well be looking to remove the "duplicate" posts (ie make the employees holding those particular posts redundant) a few months down the line.

So - at a practical point (and not because you have stood up for your understandable rights here either.....) - I would be preparing my personal finances for a possible "hit" in a few months time if I were in your position. I suggest that all of you in this call centre start "shoring up" your personal finances at this point - just in case. Look at it this way - it wont do any harm at any rate will it to do so? and some of you might be very glad that you were prepared for a possible forthcoming "storm" if one does "blow up".

So - pay off all debts possible NOW and find out what the benefit situation is if any of you need to claim it soon. You (meaning all of you there) are at risk now I'm afraid of losing your jobs. Its always wise to "read the runes" metaphorically-speaking in any situation - so as to be able to take protective action in advance.

What will likely happen now is that those two firms will merge (as you have been told). The accompanying "fanfare" about it was basically a "word to the wise" to tell you all to start looking for new jobs now - reason: to save the firm having to pay out redundancy money. My suggestion is that you all "hang on in there" unless you see a very attractive/very secure prospect to go for instead - and make sure you get due redundancy money/notice if it comes to it. What management in both firms will be focusing their attention on to start with is their own personal jobs - ie protecting their own backs and making sure they get the best job/leaving deal they can for themselves personally. At that point - those that are left "after the massacre" will turn their attention to the underlings and start "justifying their existence" by "heading for all your scalps". There may be a bit of a different order to proceedings - but that is basically what is going to happen now I'm afraid.

I suggest you read all the useful links on one of my blogs about employment:

http://chezceridwen.blogspot.com/search/label/employment

I have linked just to the ones specifically about employment rights/benefit.

Good luck.

(errr...and nope I dont have a sideline as a psychic.....just many years of watching "the state of play" in the World of Work).

Zazen999

ceridwen wrote: »

But...actually....I DO have to echo the point that firms do mergers for their own ends - ie to increase their profits. There quite possibly IS some duplication of posts between the two companies - and they might well be looking to remove the "duplicate" posts (ie make the employees holding those particular posts redundant) a few months down the line.

So - at a practical point (and not because you have stood up for your understandable rights here either.....) - I would be preparing my personal finances for a possible "hit" in a few months time if I were in your position. I suggest that all of you in this call centre start "shoring up" your personal finances at this point - just in case. Look at it this way - it wont do any harm at any rate will it to do so? and some of you might be very glad that you were prepared for a possible forthcoming "storm" if one does "blow up".

So - pay off all debts possible NOW and find out what the benefit situation is if any of you need to claim it soon. You (meaning all of you there) are at risk now I'm afraid of losing your jobs. Its always wise to "read the runes" metaphorically-speaking in any situation - so as to be able to take protective action in advance.

What will likely happen now is that those two firms will merge (as you have been told). The accompanying "fanfare" about it was basically a "word to the wise" to tell you all to start looking for new jobs now - reason: to save the firm having to pay out redundancy money. My suggestion is that you all "hang on in there" unless you see a very attractive/very secure prospect to go for instead - and make sure you get due redundancy money/notice if it comes to it. What management in both firms will be focusing their attention on to start with is their own personal jobs - ie protecting their own backs and making sure they get the best job/leaving deal they can for themselves personally. At that point - those that are left "after the massacre" will turn their attention to the underlings and start "justifying their existence" by "heading for all your scalps". There may be a bit of a different order to proceedings - but that is basically what is going to happen now I'm afraid.

I suggest you read all the useful links on one of my blogs about employment:

http://chezceridwen.blogspot.com/search/label/employment

I have linked just to the ones specifically about employment rights/benefit.

Good luck.

(errr...and nope I dont have a sideline as a psychic.....just many years of watching "the state of play" in the World of Work).

Or in other words Ceridwen; OP pick your fights carefully, esp in the current climate.

DVardysShadow

speedbird1973 wrote: »

Absolutly! We have a conference every few years for our clients. They love it! it's a perk and they sweettalk, charm or even beg their bosses to come! they get drunk, fed and entertained! they also learn a lot from us and each other! it's a perk, not a hardship!

i'm off to Cannes for 3 days next week for a mapping conference. Should I get my union involved!!!! :rotfl:

[Thanks noted for that post from: Bogof_Babe (Yesterday), Money_Grabber13579 (Today), Oldernotwiser (Yesterday)]

To think you only got 3 days in Cannes, perhaps you should change jobs - the OP got a morning with a coach trip 30 mins each way, a chance to listen to the bigwigs, a sandwich a packet of crisps and a fizzy drink

Pete111

Goodness me, what a lot of froth overnight! Most exciting! (or not..)

OP, congrats you still have a job. My advice is to try and retain it. Taking the sage advice from the likes of MSE79 is certainly not going to help you with that. (though you may enjoy the feeling of 'power' for the brief moments before they find a way to get rid of you)

Believe me, people who make trouble over minor issues do get noticed by Management/HR and it's simply amazing how many find themselves top of the redundancy lists....go figure.

SueC_2

OP - I'd be interested to know how you would have reacted if only the employees who were happy and willing to go to the presentation had been invited, with the rest of you being left behind to man the phones in the call centre.

speedbird1973

DVardysShadow wrote: »

[Thanks noted for that post from: Bogof_Babe (Yesterday), Money_Grabber13579 (Today), Oldernotwiser (Yesterday)]

To think you only got 3 days in Cannes, perhaps you should change jobs - the OP got a morning with a coach trip 30 mins each way, a chance to listen to the bigwigs, a sandwich a packet of crisps and a fizzy drink

I don't recall any mention of a fizzy drink!! My point being it's over and above my contract. It'll be great fun, but exceedingly hard work. I see it as a privledge to be asked to attend these things, not a chore.

I think to be honest we're all going to argue our point until we're blue in the face! i think the most saliant points are the little points being made by people on here. Don't tow the line you will be noticed! unions don't have the influence they had back in the 70s, if they want rid of you they will. You'll be replaced swiftly.

Jomo

mountainofdebt wrote: »

Blimey, it wasn't until I read this thread did I realise that there are some right old dinosaurs out there.

Believe it or not it an employer's market out there and if you don't like an employer's attitude then resign and let someone who is prepared to work with the employer's rules be employed by them.

I've always found that if you are prepared to be flexible for an employer then they will be flexible towards you

Here here!

Couldn't be bothered reading through all the posts but like you say, flexibility is important especially for when you want a favour returning..!

hr100

Chips n gravy for your lunch - how old are you?!? I used to eat that at school for lunch but since then I try and eat something a little more nutritional!

As others have said, get over it, its life, life isnt fair. Yes you might get an hour back but your employer will now realise that you are petty, hope you arent trying to get promoted there in the next few years

DVardysShadow

speedbird1973 wrote: »

... My point being it's over and above my contract. It'll be great fun, but exceedingly hard work. I see it as a privledge to be asked to attend these things, not a chore.

Oh yes, I took your point. And it is entirely your choice. But the point I am making is that people are rubbing the OP's face in it by talking about Cannes and Barbados and trying to extend it as a principle applying to her situation.

[BTW, please feel free to dispute everything I say. I have a feeling that anyone who does is on free Thanks from Oldernotwiser at the moment.]

speedbird1973

Lol I did notice that! As I say, fun as it's been we are going over the same old ground. If I think of something to add I'll chip in again!