Anyone know if this is fair or not?

[monopoly23]

I work in a casino and because of budgeting we have a recruitment freeze on. Loads of staff have left, not replaced thus leaving the remaining ones doing more work and it's getting worse every day as more people get sick of it and go.

The usual shift was a 9-7 where we would shut at 6am and the last hour would be for totalling up all the tables, checking the cash and locking the safe. We'd always used to get all this done by 6.45 and finish 15 mins early.

Some bright spark thought he'd get this 15 minutes back by changing our hours to 8.45-6.45. Talk about tight.

Now a few months later they're changing opening hours and shifts again to 8.30-6.30.

Now Ive already mentioned that it takes 45 mins to lock up, sometimes longer. Also, we're not actually allowed to leave until the cash matches what the computer says it should be and its all in the safe and locked. This is because the building is secured whilst the safe is open.

I know Ive rambled but is it fair for them to keep us there until 7 when we only ever get paid until half 6? They never pay for the extra time we're there and we cant just go when the shift is over.

[cal37]

If you get paid till 6.30 then leave at 6.30. If this seems all to easy.............well it is, you have already said your times are now 8.30 to 6.30..................... ..........no contest you go home at 6.30

[Weird Al Yankovic]

This is a case of an employer taking a liberty.

As cal37 says you are paid until 6:30 and no longer, therefore, you finish at 6:30.

You have to realise that if you don't like something at your place of work then you have to do something about it. Or just put up with it.

There is no reason that although the building may be secured during the period of 6:30 to 7:00 that people cannot leave-it would be a fire hazard otherwise or some other H&S breach.

Approach your employer and ask to be paid for the time you are unable to leave which is after your hours.

Should they refuse then I suggest you write an official grievance about this matter. However, bear in mind that this could well lead to an escalation, depending on how petty your employers are-which does appear to be quite a bit.

[monopoly23]

They are quite petty. Believe me I have already brought it up with the junior managers and the only way they respond is with 'well what about all the times we let you go early?'
To which I respond - I didn't ask to be let out early, I was quite happy to stay the extra 5 or 10 mins until my shift was officially over.

It was their choice to let us go as soon as the could because they wanted to get out of there too. Now it's not our choice and there's no way we can get out on time unless we leave through a fire exit.

This cant possibly be fair but you never seem to get anywhere when you make a complaint.
(The same happened when I complained about discrimination last year - it just got swept under the rug as usual)

[cal37]

Originally Posted by monopoly23

Now it's not our choice and there's no way we can get out on time unless we leave through a fire exit.

So leave by the fire exit!!!! Look it really is simple, put in writing that you will only stay on site for the time you are paid. At that point you will go home even if that’s by the fire exit, make clear in your letter that if they wish you to stay after your shift then you expect and demand to be paid.

They can not sweep it under the rug, if they do then at 6.30 open the fire exit and go home. They can not sack you for leaving.

[MilkTrayMan]

Go and see if your local Aldi are taking staff on monopoly23!...

Otherwise, have a quick gander through the following links...
Acas - Home
A-Z of Employment - BERR


...

[monopoly23]

I bet they'd try though and thats the problem.
I can't afford to lose my job for any amount of time.
Dragging it through an appeal and/or tribunal would cost me a fortune.

[monopoly23]

Oh cheers MTM. Ive always aspired to be a shelf stacker lol

[MilkTrayMan]

Originally Posted by monopoly23

Oh cheers MTM. Ive always aspired to be a shelf stacker lol

If U want a roof over your head + food in your kids belly, U may consider it a feasible option at some point.

I once cleaned public toilets for a living for 6 months, despite just having left Uni with qualifications sticking out of my lugholes, left, right + centre!

NEEDS MUST I'm afraid!
...Very few peeps have the luxury to be in a position to do the job that they would actually like to do!!!...


...

[monopoly23]

Its too much hassle though to swap jobs - especially from one that I hate to one I'd detest.

I'm going to dig out my contract and have a good look over it then depending on what I find, I might put in a grievance with the general manager.

Thanks for the links.

[djgordyp]

Originally Posted by MilkTrayMan

If U want a roof over your head + food in your kids belly, U may consider it a feasible option at some point.

I once cleaned public toilets for a living for 6 months, despite just having left Uni with qualifications sticking out of my lugholes, left, right + centre!

NEEDS MUST I'm afraid!
...Very few peeps have the luxury to be in a position to do the job that they would actually like to do!!!...


...

Of course needs must, but, just because an employer may be paying more than minimum wage doesn't give them a right to act unreasonably though.

[cal37]

Originally Posted by djgordyp

Of course needs must, but, just because an employer may be paying more than minimum wage doesn't give them a right to act unreasonably though.

That’s correct, however you have to be pro active to fight these unreasonably employers. Its not good saying this or that is wrong and not doing anything about it, because the employer will continue to do these things till he or she has been brought to task over it.

In the OP`s case its clear cut, she/he can stand up for her/his rights or continue to let her employers abuse her/him.

I think you will find that very few employers will risk being taken to task, most unreasonably employers count on fear and intimidation to ensure the employees continue to toe their line. When confronted most back down as they are well aware of the law.

[TideTurner]

Do you not have a line manager you can talk to who could take the matter to management and represent all staff at the same time?