Unreasonable shift hours

richardvc

It seems such a shame that there have been posters on here saying that your son should have put up with it because it's a job.

It's very disappointing that people should condone employers breaking the law - I hope your son realises that not all employers are like this.

anamenottaken

On no account write a letter (even one saying "you have refused me an unpaid break during a xx-hour shift and therefore you no longer want me to work for you"). They are not stupid insofar as they know they would have a problem if they dismissed your son on the grounds stated.

Caroline44

so they aren't able to hold onto his wages that he has earned? What if he doesn't get paid next Friday?

anamenottaken

Caroline44 wrote: »

so they aren't able to hold onto his wages that he has earned? What if he doesn't get paid next Friday?

They would not be acting lawfully if they withheld his pay on what would be his normal pay day. They have no right to do that. In fact, as I think they do know more of the law than they will perhaps admit to or want to comply with, I doubt they would actually withhold payment - they are tricky characters.

kelloggs36

I would ask them to write a letter to your son stating the situation and see what they say.

Sambucus_Nigra

I would get him to turn up at his next shift with a tape recorder about his person.

paddedjohn

TELL YOUR SON TO DOWNLOAD A COPY OF THE REGS FROM www.directgov.uk AND TURN UP FOR HIS NEXT SHIFT ARMED WITH THEM, MIDWAY THROUGH HIS SHIFT TAKE HIS 20 MINUTE BREAK (SHUTTING THE SHOP IF NEED BE) AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS NEXT.
IF THE EMPLOYERS ARENT HAPPY THEY MAY SACK HIM BUT AT LEAST HE HASN'T WALKED AWAY FROM A JOB.

IF POSSIBLY RECORD ANY CONVERSATIONS WITH HIS MOBILE PHONE.

Valerie84

This is disgusting, and some employers think they can get away with it- making out that nit picking over a short break is not worth it, but if they don't have the cover or whatever their reason is for not giving staff all their entitled breaks- this is their issue. A lot of people bend over backwards for their employers, and to a certain extent I did for mine- and cut my losses. I understand why this is hard, and hindsight is great- but even now the one thing I wished I had done was file a complaint at the very least. (my reasons for leaving was working conditions). I am not confrontational either. If she can say she is sacking him for another reason she should say now. Lay it on the table to her. He should tell her he plans on making a grievance and if she got any defense or problem with him, to say now. Then he can't do anymore. It's her problem- and most managers when they got a problem, they say it. so sounds to me like she just rubbish to her staff. But I would not put up with it- there are far too few employers out there right now, and far too many screwing people over and treating them like rubbish cos they think they can easily get anyone else to take the job on again. But just beacuse someone has a job in this economic climate, does not mean they should put up with these conditions and feel worried about speaking up , taking it further at risk of losing their job. Good luck , hope it all works out for him.

Arbitrax

Can I just say good luck to you and your son in your battle for this - and I hope you can stick to your guns and hold his employers to account.

I used to work at a branch of Connexions, and the advisers there would have gone spare if they found that one of their young people were being mistreated by an employer like this. Share your son's experience with as many advisers (JCP, Connexions, Citizens Advice etc.) as you can, and one of them will be able to offer you the advice and guidance you and your son need.

If I knew a store near me was doing this I would boycott it, and get my friends to boycott it too.

As a matter of fact, I can't see myself going into a Spar now I know how lax the parent company is in giving out franchises.

snowqueen555

health and safety, isn't there meant to be a minimum amount of staff in a shop, I know that was the case where I worked.

Good luck OP