Can my employer force me to be a Fire Marshall / warden?

Nesty

Thanks for the reply, the thing is me or my colleague (also a FW), were always in to our contracted time. It's just one of us would go home earlier and we took it in turns, it was a great benefit, but it's the way they suddenly citing we both now have to be in till a certain time to man this duty, but no one else is coming back in or working in the office, I feel it's unfair.

We have loads of FW, it's just now to WFH, it's created this problem, that doesn't mean that should fall to my responsibility as low grade. 

I'll feedback to what the outcome is. 

elsien

Why are your colleagues getting paid more than you? Is it a different job role?
(I know there is no requirement to pay everyone the same for the same job, but just curious as to how that pay discrepancy arrived?)

OutdoorQueen

Our system was changed because so many WFH now and we’ve had new training.  In summary,  when the alarm goes off the first person past the hi vis vest  hung on the wall, takes it and the role, with a few exceptions and job role doesn’t matter. One jacket for Fire Marshall and another for Fire Warden.  Everyone is expected to check their area before leaving, if safe to do so. The building is divided in to areas and there are vests in each area.  

Apparently it’s a fire service approved model of doing it.  

Nesty

elsien said:

Why are your colleagues getting paid more than you? Is it a different job role?
(I know there is no requirement to pay everyone the same for the same job, but just curious as to how that pay discrepancy arrived?)

Basically, yes different job role. 

EnPointe

comeandgo said:

I’m surprised you are not getting any recompense for being fire warden.  I used to audit lots of different companies payrolls and the fire wardens always got something extra, sometimes not very much, about £10 a week but there was something.  

not quite sure why being a fire warden is something that would   merit  additional payment given  in many settings it;s just a case of encourage  others to leave when the alarm sounds and  walk out a specific route  chvvying people and making sure fire doors  are shut  

In my current  workplace the vast majority of  fire wardens are the FLMs and Ops manager,s  the rest are  Senior Operatives / Specialist Operatives who may have  had a  FLM secondment  and got trained  that way or  TU Reps / Safety committee peopel who got  the training through  that  

EnPointe

TadleyBaggie said:

I was both a fire marshal and a first aider when I was working. I can’t recall it impacting the hours I worked in any way shape or form. 

Savvy_Sue said:

Who covers your Fire Warden duties if you're sick / on holiday? It seems to me that increasing the number (even above recommended limits) would get round the issue, especially if they're not prepared to pay you extra. 

Are you in a union? Could be worth talking to them. 

We didn't get extra for FW, FA or anything like that either. I did decline to re-do FA simply because I knew my wrists weren't up to doing the resuscitation - frankly I'm astonished I passed the last time I did it! 

First Aider  often gets some  additional payment because you are likely to do something   during the life of your  qualification ...

Savvy_Sue

EnPointe said:

TadleyBaggie said:

I was both a fire marshal and a first aider when I was working. I can’t recall it impacting the hours I worked in any way shape or form. 

Savvy_Sue said:

Who covers your Fire Warden duties if you're sick / on holiday? It seems to me that increasing the number (even above recommended limits) would get round the issue, especially if they're not prepared to pay you extra. 

Are you in a union? Could be worth talking to them. 

We didn't get extra for FW, FA or anything like that either. I did decline to re-do FA simply because I knew my wrists weren't up to doing the resuscitation - frankly I'm astonished I passed the last time I did it! 

First Aider  often gets some  additional payment because you are likely to do something   during the life of your  qualification ...

I think we had more evacuations (all false alarms) than incidents requiring First Aid!

There are responsibilities that go with both roles. 

Actually, just a thought, but have similar restrictions been put in place for the First Aiders?

prettyandfluffy

comeandgo said:

I’m surprised you are not getting any recompense for being fire warden.  I used to audit lots of different companies payrolls and the fire wardens always got something extra, sometimes not very much, about £10 a week but there was something.  

I used to get 2 days extra annual leave for doing this.

74jax

EnPointe said:

comeandgo said:

I’m surprised you are not getting any recompense for being fire warden.  I used to audit lots of different companies payrolls and the fire wardens always got something extra, sometimes not very much, about £10 a week but there was something.  

not quite sure why being a fire warden is something that would   merit  additional payment given  in many settings it;s just a case of encourage  others to leave when the alarm sounds and  walk out a specific route  chvvying people and making sure fire doors  are shut  

In my current  workplace the vast majority of  fire wardens are the FLMs and Ops manager,s  the rest are  Senior Operatives / Specialist Operatives who may have  had a  FLM secondment  and got trained  that way or  TU Reps / Safety committee peopel who got  the training through  that  

 @EnPointe That sounds more like a fire marshall?

Even so Fire Marshalls where I have always worked have been paid, I started as a Fire Marshall for around £4 a week and a First Aider for £6, so £10 a week for both.

I then became a Fire Warden and this was £10 a week, so £16 in total.

The First Aider role had more things to do, including CPR in our reception area..... However the Fire Warden was, to me, much more risky. Especially when we had a fire call which wasn't a test and made me wonder why I changed from Fire Marshall to Fire Warden. It really wasn't worth the money. 

Bradden

Just to add some balance... I'm currently a 1st Aider and Fire Warden... no extra payments received. It's considered a reasonable duty by my employer.