Forced to stay on site not clocked in for 5 hours, can I still be payed?

barr182

Im just looking for some advice.My place of work operate a clocking in system and our hours change from week to week. A week ago I turned up to work to find our place had been closed due to a suspected gas leak. I was told by the manager that I could not leave the site. Me and my colleagues were forced to sit in the baking sun from 12pm indefinatly. A couple of members of staff left before we were told not to go. Me and one colleauge in particular sat out in the sun for 5+ hours. Just after 5pm we were told to go back in and start work right away. We had no idea what was going on, only that we were not allowed in the building nor could we leave the site and go home. Once we were called back in, as the place had not been open they just found small menial tasks for us to do, such as cleaning etc. Things that are not normally in my job description.

The issue is, I was not allowed to leave and have been told I will not be payed. Its only 5+ hours unpayed but thats not the point. My place of work skims on everybody's pay every single week. I see it happening. We all note down hour hours and when our wage slip comes through there are always discrepancies , but there is nothing we can do about it. They cut clocking in/out times everywhere they can. As soon as your not needed, they send you home, sometimes 3 or 4 hours early. I need as many hours as i get and if i refuse, they tell someone else to go home and the manager always gets his/her way. Are they also allowed to do this?

This might sound like a ran against my company, but it is not! If they are allowed to do these things then fine, I just need to know where I stand, Thank you.

MissSarah1972

where was the gas leak? Inside where you work? You were made to sit outside? Hmmmm

sniggings

no, if you were there and available for work then you should be paid.

But as they do this thing all the time, I can't see you winning if you try and make them pay you, I would start looking for another job as you don't need to be working for idiots like that.

Good Look. (oops that should be luck :rotfl:)

1940sGal

You're not bothered that you were made to work for 5 hours unpaid? I would be :O

barr182

Of course im bothered! I am very bothered haha....But I did ask if I would be payed and wasnt given an answer. Im in tonight so I will tell them I want paying. Like mentioned before, I was there and avaliable to work. Some staff went home before we were told not to leave. When the place was declared safe I was told to go staight back to work, and do the duties of the other staff who went home.

Also in relation to what actually happened, It was a suspected gas leak. But what actually happened was a Chef in the kitchen didn't turn the extractor fans on...I think he was breathing in carbon monoxide which made him feel very ill after a few hours. An ambulance was called , and they phoned the fire brigade/police.

ohreally

barr182 wrote: »

It was a suspected gas leak. But what actually happened was a Chef in the kitchen didn't turn the extractor fans on...I think he was breathing in carbon monoxide which made him feel very ill after a few hours. An ambulance was called , and they phoned the fire brigade/police.

Wow!

Oh, and an extractor isn't an appropriate means of managing carbon monoxide. A visit from the HSE is perhaps in order.

As for unpaid wages, given that the staff appear trampled on, if wages are subsequently withheld go to grievence.

Why did you sit about for 5hrs anyway, I assume you are all adults start standing up for your selfs.

MissSarah1972

barr182 wrote: »

.

Also in relation to what actually happened, It was a suspected gas leak. But what actually happened was a Chef in the kitchen didn't turn the extractor fans on...I think he was breathing in carbon monoxide which made him feel very ill after a few hours. An ambulance was called , and they phoned the fire brigade/police.

What? carbon monoxide ? You have a carbon monoxide leak where you work? Are you serious?