Time to wash up at work?

Caroline_a

Maybe it's me, but I really struggle to understand the OP's attitude. I get into work really early, mostly so that I can have a catch-up with my boss, have a coffee, bit of a chat with colleagues, etc. I leave when the work is done. I have always done this, but also worked with people who were rushing to get there to the second when work started. They were always the ones who never got anywhere!

10 minutes for washing hands????

Takeaway_Addict

UnionGirl wrote: »

The argument you should try is 'custom and practice'.

As the handwashing has occurred 10mins before the end of shift for (how many years?) Anything over 2-3 years, get the men together to complain unofficially and state that it has been 'custom and practice to wash our hands before the end of shift for x years' and would wish for it to continue.

Very unlikely to work (presuming its not hazardous)

scooby088

Where I used to work we had 10 mins at end of shift to clean our work station and to then wash up before clocking out. Can't say that It would bother me to lose the 10 mins at all.

dacouch

Hmm71 wrote: »

But surely their hands can't be so dirty by the end of the day it takes 10 minutes to wash them? Don't any of them wash their hands throughout the day, before lunch, after the loo etc?

They get 10 mins after using the loo to wash their hands

amateursaver77

We had a similar thing at my old job. You used to be given 15 minutes at the start of your shift to get things sorted like your computer, paperwork, any other preparation etc (for example, started 9.15am and finished 5.15pm). What then happened was people came in with about 2 or 3 minutes to spare (close to 9.30am), raced to their desks etc to do their sorting out. A manager cottoned on to it and basically said "why are we paying people while they prepare for work?". Hence it got changed.

306chris

I know where my dad works they get 15 mins before the end of the shift to shower. He works in a checmical plant that produces parts of soap powder (the nice smelly bits) and dyes, nothing hazardous to health just some funny colours.

If its just your hands that get dirty why aren't you wearing gloves of some kind.

306chris

amateursaver77 wrote: »

We had a similar thing at my old job. You used to be given 15 minutes at the start of your shift to get things sorted like your computer, paperwork, any other preparation etc (for example, started 9.15am and finished 5.15pm). What then happened was people came in with about 2 or 3 minutes to spare (close to 9.30am), raced to their desks etc to do their sorting out. A manager cottoned on to it and basically said "why are we paying people while they prepare for work?". Hence it got changed.

A firm that I used to work for was like that but then managemnet changed it to you had to be up and running, logged in etc for the start of the shift which meant you had to be there early. So a lot of people would turn up log in at 5 mins before the start and then go off for a tea break.

UnionGirl

"Very unlikely to work (presuming its not hazardous)"

Sorry as I don't know how to quote.

This has been a successful complaint in 3 companies that I know of, and it was not involving hazardous materials.

I'm not saying that it will work, but it is definitely worth a try if the OP and colleagues are not happy.

Takeaway_Addict

UnionGirl wrote: »

"Very unlikely to work (presuming its not hazardous)"

Sorry as I don't know how to quote.

This has been a successful complaint in 3 companies that I know of, and it was not involving hazardous materials.

I'm not saying that it will work, but it is definitely worth a try if the OP and colleagues are not happy.

Fair enough, i just don't see it though if the company want to push it through they are not likely to lose in a tribunal IMO because the reason for stopping it is valid (more productive, less likely to make cost savings etc)

Also, just press the quote button in the bottom right of the post you wish to quote.

UnionGirl

Takeaway_Addict wrote: »

Fair enough, i just don't see it though if the company want to push it through they are not likely to lose in a tribunal IMO because the reason for stopping it is valid (more productive, less likely to make cost savings etc)

Also, just press the quote button in the bottom right of the post you wish to quote.

Totally agree with you, especially in these tough economic times. However, the way I have seen it handled is if the company does bring it in and the majority of employees don't like it, they can choose to 'work to rule' (does anyone work their contracted hours only - no staying back late - if it is an extremely busy period at work?). 'Work to rule' will usually lose a company more money.

I always think these things are resolved more easily with a bit of compromising between both parties.

And thank you for letting me know how to quote.