Working Outside Cold Weather - Using Own Car As Shelter

Q*bert

Recently started work at a security company and from the off the company are trying their arm.

I'm on night shift, working outside and it right now December, it is freezing cold. The only source of warmth is my own car, but, even then...The engine needs to be started to turn on the heater to provide warmth.

This is not my responsibility and I'd like to ask the company for some extra cash for fuel or they can pay for somewhere warm...seems fair enough to me..!

elsien

https://worksmart.org.uk/health-advice/illnesses-and-injuries/work-illnesses/colds-and-flu/i-often-have-work-outside-even

You need to decide how much of an issue you want to make of it, given that they can get shut of you any time they like. Is the PPE provided adequate?

Q*bert

Well, if thats how they are going to play this then.....[They are an agency].

The PPE is so so and there is no night time pay rate...flat rate across the board, no overtime. Only took the job because Xmas is coming up.

They can get another mug, but I'd still like to explore the legal aspects and individual companies liabilities

Fireflyaway

I guess it depends what the job states. Do they expect you to foot patrol an area or can you sit in your car and keep a watch? Sitting in the car for long periods might just give the impression you are not doing much. Harsh but I suppose you knew what the job entailed so the company probably won't want to pay you extra for fuel etc. Do you have decent warm clothing? I'd prob wrap up really warm. Base layers, balaclava , gloves, get a hot water bottle, flask of hot tea etc etc.

sangie595

It's December. In this country it's usually cold in December. You took a job working security which includes work outside. Was there some part of cold that wasn't clear? Are you expecting company to change the climate for you?

There is no right to extra pay for night work or overtime.

If you don't like the job and don't need the job, quit.

IAmWales

Q*bert wrote: »

Well, if thats how they are going to play this then.....[They are an agency].

The PPE is so so and there is no night time pay rate...flat rate across the board, no overtime. Only took the job because Xmas is coming up.

They can get another mug, but I'd still like to explore the legal aspects and individual companies liabilities

You are aware that you'll be sanctioned if you intend to claim Jobseeekers Allowance again?

sangie595

IAmWales wrote: »

You are aware that you'll be sanctioned if you intend to claim Jobseeekers Allowance again?

I assumed this was some extra work for Christmas. The OP only took the job because it's Christmas and they thought they ought to work for a bit? If that is the case, a well deserved sanction. Although some posters around here seem to think that work is an optional extra...

McKneff

sangie595 wrote: »

It's December. In this country it's usually cold in December. You took a job working security which includes work outside. Was there some part of cold that wasn't clear? Are you expecting company to change the climate for you?

There is no right to extra pay for night work or overtime.

If you don't like the job and don't need the job, quit.

And this is helpful in what way.
The op really doesnt need a lecture,

dharm999

Q*bert wrote: »

Recently started work at a security company and from the off the company are trying their arm.

I'm on night shift, working outside and it right now December, it is freezing cold. The only source of warmth is my own car, but, even then...The engine needs to be started to turn on the heater to provide warmth.

This is not my responsibility and I'd like to ask the company for some extra cash for fuel or they can pay for somewhere warm...seems fair enough to me..!

Any decent security company would not leave you in a car, what happens if you need to go to the toilet? We would never do that, and if this is what they try on, what else are they cutting corners with? Have they given you a torch to do your patrols or a phone to make check calls? There are far better companies out there than this one, and they aren't hard to find.

xapprenticex

Get a proper winter coat, gloves, maybe a balaclava and decent boots and some thick trousers. You should be okay then.

But you dont even get a hut or anything to sit in?

stuartJo1989

My dad did security about 20 years ago when I was a child.

He once told me a story of a time when, in December, he was on a 12 hour shift in a hut with some dodgy heater which was probably spewing out carbon monoxide (it was "making him sleepy"). He jokes that he had to rotate from warming up in front of the dodgy heater to opening the door and letting the icy cold oxygen into the hut.

Then he speaks about his time on a waste facility.... 12 hours marching up and down a site which smelt of an eggy fart gone bad (in the icy cold).

Fair play to him, because it made sure that me and my brother had a roof over our head and a loaf of bread to eat.

So yea, no sympathy here.