Can my work make me do this?

kerri_gt · 14 March 2016 at 11:55PM

You could raise a case with your Manager / HR saying because you have extra responsibility / skills then you believe you should still earn 25p/hr above their NMW rate. If you do this, be factual - not emotive in your case. They will say yay / nay.

As said, refusing to drive the FLT could result in you being dismissed for refusing to carry out a reasonable request within your job remit.

Your options seem to be,

1) Stay where you are, and live with the fact you have to drive a FLT as you have the license
2) look at the benefit you have the FLT as an extra skill set now and look for something else where you do get paid more for driving a FLT
3) look for an alternative MLW job elsewhere where you won't have the FLT responsibility - you'll still have that license on your CV should you wish to make use of it (not sure how often it has to be renewed?)

bluenoseam · 15 March 2016 at 10:03AM

fraz101 wrote: »

When the NMW went to 6.70 it took them 4weeks to increase our rate and I was pestering them everyday about it,had I asked back then what will happen in April they'd have told me there isn't a decision yet

Erm, then look at it like this, back in October THEY didn't know the situation either so couldn't have given you a concrete answer. The problem being that in your own haste/carelessness you also neglected the fact yourself. What you should have done at that point was rather than negotiate a 25p/hr pay rise, should have insisted it be 25p/hr above the going rate of pay.

Right there what you have is a lesson for the future in the oldest trick in the book - give you something (25p immediate rise) to mask the overall decline. It's sneaky & it's unpleasant, but legally it's to the letter all because of the wording.

Tiddlywinks · 15 March 2016 at 5:34PM

This should be referred to the union for their action as it will impact across stores and probably other 'extra responsibility' duties as well.

Local managers won't be able to make pay decisions - the negotiations need to be centralised with the finance / pay decision makers.

fraz101 · 15 March 2016 at 8:11PM

Tiddlywinks wrote: »

This should be referred to the union for their action as it will impact across stores and probably other 'extra responsibility' duties as well.

Local managers won't be able to make pay decisions - the negotiations need to be centralised with the finance / pay decision makers.

Yes this is a national decision across many hundreds of stores. I realise my store manager has zero say in the decision

Tiddlywinks · 15 March 2016 at 8:47PM

Tiddlywinks wrote: »

This should be referred to the union for their action as it will impact across stores and probably other 'extra responsibility' duties as well.

Local managers won't be able to make pay decisions - the negotiations need to be centralised with the finance / pay decision makers.

fraz101 wrote: »

Yes this is a national decision across many hundreds of stores. I realise my store manager has zero say in the decision

so, have you approached your union for help?

fraz101 · 15 March 2016 at 8:50PM

Tiddlywinks wrote: »

so, have you approached your union for help?

There is no union

eamon · 15 March 2016 at 9:02PM

To cloud the issue a little. There is no such thing as a FLT licence anymore. The HSE has gone down the line of competencies and employers satisfy this by having drivers assessed either in house (or using a visiting assessor) or off site training. If you refuse to drive then your job is at risk. Its a bit mean though not to issue a transferable certificate of competance.

xapprenticex · 15 March 2016 at 9:08PM

Amazing that people are made to do more for 25p. and assistant manager on min wage!!! wow

Sharon87 · 16 March 2016 at 12:13AM

Instead of moaning, just think that you'll be getting a decent pay increase on what you are now. Maybe in the future they will put your wage up to reflect the extra responsibility. It's definitely worth asking if they'll do it, but it's not going to be everyone who gets £7.50 an hour, only those over 25 will get that rate if that makes you feel any better!