Can my work make me do this?

fraz101

***UPDATE****

Had an official meeting with my store manager where he asked me whether I was agreeing to the new pay scale for FLT drivers to be paid NMW like everyone else in store,told him I wasn't agreeing to terms and that I would only agree to them if
1)The company re instated the 30p/hour rate for taking on the FLT driving responsibilities or
2)Removed the FLT responsibilities from my contract and allowed me to go back to my original position of customer assistant without driving the FLT

My manager refused to comment on behalf of the company and instead stated he would have to contact HR for advice.

He has done so and has invited me to a meeting tomorrow to discuss further.

Bearing in mind the FLT duties were an add on to my original contract can they legally tell me to drive it or have my contract terminated?
Also we are currently interviewing for new staff so it's not like there is good reason to let me go without allowing me to continue in my previous role?

ScorpiondeRooftrouser

fraz101 wrote: »

They didn't need to in October but did

The difference is they can now get under-25s who will happily do it for less than they have to pay you; because of the new age band that is being introduced. Same goes for shop assistant managers. We will have many situations where managers are being paid less than the people they are managing, as a 24 year old on an extra 30p an hour is still significantly cheaper than a 25 year old on NMW.

Takeaway_Addict

fraz101 wrote: »

***UPDATE****

Had an official meeting with my store manager where he asked me whether I was agreeing to the new pay scale for FLT drivers to be paid NMW like everyone else in store,told him I wasn't agreeing to terms and that I would only agree to them if
1)The company re instated the 30p/hour rate for taking on the FLT driving responsibilities or
2)Removed the FLT responsibilities from my contract and allowed me to go back to my original position of customer assistant without driving the FLT

My manager refused to comment on behalf of the company and instead stated he would have to contact HR for advice.

He has done so and has invited me to a meeting tomorrow to discuss further.

Bearing in mind the FLT duties were an add on to my original contract can they legally tell me to drive it or have my contract terminated?
Also we are currently interviewing for new staff so it's not like there is good reason to let me go without allowing me to continue in my previous role?

Its good they are talking but ultimately you are in a weak position, if they turn round and say no extra money then unfortunately you will have to suck it or leave. Forklift driving is part of your job and refusal to do it will end up in disciplinaries.

Browntoa

http://www.mirror.co.uk/money/city-news/bq-plans-slash-workers-pay-7618546

FBaby

This was always going to happen by only legally raising the NMW. Ultimately, if doing so should incur raising pay for all those who were receiving that same amount before for doing more, then you should apply that same principle all the way up because ultimately, there will always be people who will end up being paid the same than those lower than them for taking in more.

I see your frustration, but I also agree that fighting it is risking putting yourself in a weak position. How about instead swallowing it, after all, it doesn't affect you directly, and then do even extra so that when there is a position up opening, you can apply for it and be in a good position to get it?

makeyourdaddyproud

I can see a perfect storm emerging from pay differentials come April.

There will be a lot of unhappy people.

fraz101

*UPDATE*

My boss has informed me that HR have said there is no movement on pay and I CANNOT be relieved of my FLT duties.

I have asked for this to be given to me in writing just in case he is bluffing about Contacting HR

I will update in due course

Mr.Generous

remember they cannot tell you you have to do it or leave. They would have to sack you, "failure to carry out a reasonable request" would not be a gross misconduct. They might try "some other substantial reason" I don't know how brave they feel against the threat of tribunals now that employees have to pay to take them to one. What you could do with is a medical condition affecting your ability to use the truck, string it out for a while then say you don't feel confident without re-training. Then just fail the re-test. Letting them get away with it would be a disgrace, they did it to all the staff years ago when sunday trading got legalised, did it again with the pension scheme and they keep doing it while preaching "Respect for people". Yes I worked for them too.

fraz101

Mr.Generous wrote: »

remember they cannot tell you you have to do it or leave. They would have to sack you, "failure to carry out a reasonable request" would not be a gross misconduct. They might try "some other substantial reason" I don't know how brave they feel against the threat of tribunals now that employees have to pay to take them to one. What you could do with is a medical condition affecting your ability to use the truck, string it out for a while then say you don't feel confident without re-training. Then just fail the re-test. Letting them get away with it would be a disgrace, they did it to all the staff years ago when sunday trading got legalised, did it again with the pension scheme and they keep doing it while preaching "Respect for people". Yes I worked for them too.

Appreciate the response and info, I'd rather just find a better job than go down the medical route,I told him in no uncertain terms I'd drive his FLT for him until I found a new job.

dirty_magic

This is exactly my argument against increasing the minimum wage by so much. It really causes a problem for companies with complex pay scales. You end up with bottom level staff on the same pay grades as intermediate staff with more responsibilities, so everyone's wage has to go up by the same percentage.

People should get pay rises by gaining skills and improving performance. Most employers now are looking at ways to reduce staffing levels and reduce overtime, bonuses and shift allowances.

People say that everyone said the same when the NMW was introduced, but it did have an impact and this will too. Manufacturing in the UK is already in decline because it's cheaper overseas.