Paid less while 'training' for 3 years?

wacko911

Sorry this ended up longer than I hoped...



The factory where I work there are 3 different grades for an operator and 3 different pay bands.

You start out as Grade 1, after your 6 months probation period you automatically become a 'Trainee Grade 2' or get dropped. A trainee grade 2 get the same money as a grade 1.

The only difference between the responsibilities of a Grade 1 and 2 is you can perform a 1st identity check on labels. As a Trainee grade 2 you get about 2 weeks (if even) training/shadowing on how to 1st check labels then you can check in labels all by yourself and do this day in day out. After a probationary period of what is supposed to be 6 months? (never is, usually more and not specified), then you become a grade 2 with a good pay increase.

There is a guy I work with and he has been a 'Trainee Grade 2' for 3 years yet he does exactly the same job as all the other grade 2's and is getting grade 1 money for it. There has never been a problem with his ability to check labels (as he does it every day without errors) and he has never needed or been offered any additional training. He was off sick with a couple of serious illnesses (TB + an operation) they have put off making him up to grade 2.

He is now on a verbal warning for using a mobile phone during working hours and it looks like they are going to withhold his G2 for yet another undisclosed amount of time.

Would anyone recommend he puts a grievance in against the company or even take this matter to a tribunal for unfair pay/practices (if there even is such a thing) or would that just be a waste of his time?
BTW the same company used to pay trainee G2's, Grade 2 pay up until about 4 years ago when they changed to the current system and they clearly have no incentive to make anyone up.

DandelionPatrol

Grievances rarely make any difference, except possibly against employees at the same level.

This is one of those situations which is more likely not to arise where there is union representation and I would suggest that joining a union is the best defence against this and the advance of other injustices.

takman

Can't he arrange a meeting with HR to discuss this problem and come to a resolution. He should ask to have specific guidelines that state what a person in each grade should be capable of. He can then put forward his case explaining why he should be at that grade.

We recently had this where I work, we have many different grades of operator skill levels with different pay levels. People were unhappy about not knowing how you move up to the next skill level. So the HR department released a document that states the criteria. Then every employee on site had a one to one meeting to inform them of what grade they are put on and what they needed to do to reach the next level. They then had a window of appeal where you could dispute your grade.

I personally don't think a Union is necessary because they put barriers between the workforce and the managent.

wacko911

Thanks, I think he is in a union but the workforce isn't unionised.

I'll suggest he approaches HR directly and see what happens. He is currently waiting to see if he gets made up this year in his review in a couple of weeks first, before rocking the boat.