Numerous problems at work

[taco67]

i've been working for a company for just over 1 year, 1 year on the 1st of june to be exact, and pretty much since i started i've been having some major issues with the management. i wont go into them all, as i could literally be here all day having a moan, but there are a few things i hope can get clarified with your help

 

firstly, i was pulled into a meeting with my immediate boss who said he had a few issues with me, none of them had anything to do with my work, timekeeping etc, in fact he even went as far to say that the owners were delighted with my standard of work. he was basically nit-picking over incredibly trivial things like 'not having a valid excuse for not doing overtime' here was me thinking i didnt need a reason to not work o/t, and not being forced into it? anyways, at the end of the meeting he basically said to me that because i was employed for less than 2 years, he could sack me right there and then, without reason, and in his own words 'because i just dont like your face'. is this correct? and where would i stand with this? i have other colleagues who could & would back me up that i get treated differently to most other employees. (the dislike from him basically stems from me standing up for myself and others and refusing to be bullied, like he has done with a lot of the younger guys in the company)

 

secondly, i just heard that we MUST sign a sheet of paper that states that if we don't hand in a receipt for filling our vans with diesel, the amount will be deducted from our wages. my question is, is this legal? as far as im aware a receipt from the garage isnt a vat receipt (i have to request one), so that cant be their argument. also, we use fuel cards, so the company get a monthly report from the card provider which in turn has all the info they would ever need on it. again, if i dont sign this (which i have absolutely no intention of doing so without further clarification) i will be hauled in and looked upon as a troublemaker, just because i dont bend over and take it in the ass like i should!

 

thirdly, we are being issued with PDA's, which again comes with a sheet that says we accept full responsibility over any damage or loss, needless to say they haven't even provided them with protective covers etc. i should also add that my job involves a fairly regular amount of being up ladders, in lofts, and under floors, yet they say we must carry them on our person at all times! chances of damage are pretty high i would estimate....i certainly dont fancy having to fork out £400 every 2 or 3 months if i so much as get a scratch on the screen of something i didnt request.

 

i'll stop for now as i could really start getting into the nitty gritty, but if anyone could help me on those 3 issues for now, i'd be greatly appreciative

 

 

thanks

Edited June 6, 2013 by taco67

[Emmzzi]

yes, they can pretty much sack you for any non discriminatory reason.

 

I'm not sure what the big deal getting a receipt is, just do it and there’s no issue surely? And same withyour PDA, don't lose it!

 

These issues are not "taking it in the ass". They're normal business practice to encourage you not to treat the company's finance procedures and property lightly. A PDA is way more expensive that eg a top of the range mobile. WAY more!

 

Have you considered chilling out and being a bit more flexible? You have no legal protection here, if that's going to be an issue, this is probably not the job for you. You are making yourself a really easy target by arguing over trivia.

[taco67]

Hi Emmzzi, and thanks for the quick reply

 

unfortunately, i used to be chilled out, now i'm completely stressed out. but like i said, i wont go into the nitty gritty of the way they treat their employees. these things may seems 'trivial' to you, but trust me, you wouldnt be happy if you accidently scratched a screen, or lost a bit of paper and it hit you in the pocket....hard!

 

there is no big deal in getting a receipt, in fact i have practically every one since i started, my issue is that we hand the receipts in, 2 months down the line they come back and say they are missing a receipt, and bang....£80 out your wages just like that.

 

again, the PDA, if i lost it, i would be more than happy to pay for a new one as it was my fault, but to accept ALL & FULL responsibility??? and the PDA's are no more expensive than a top of the range phone, in fact they cost less than my current phone, but that's not the point......we drive £14k vans but dont have to pay for them

[Emmzzi]

so scan the receipts or take a photo of them with your phone

 

And buy a sock to pop your PDA in

 

Job done

 

ultimately I'd join the union and let your rep fight for you

 

if your co-workers don't want to be in a union with you however, I'd stop making yourself the easy target

 

I didnt ask what your contract says about overtime btw - some require it

[taco67]

that's a good idea with the receipts actually, cheers:)

 

my contract says overtime is necessary on occasion, and will be expected when reasonable. however i have no issue of 'reasonable expectations' but when i finish at 4.30 and get passed a call at 4.15, whilst still on a job, to travel to another job 40 minutes away....i would call that unreasonable, and they are the type that i have an issue with

[Emmzzi]

sadly there is no legal definition of reasonable

[taco67]

very true. it's like working from ladders, you should only do it when 'reasonably practicable' basically, you decide. so surely i should decide what is reasonable o/t? and shouldnt need an excuse not to do it

[Emmzzi]

problem is, as overtime is in your contract, you may be breaching it

 

Honestly, I'd have a very hard think about who is in the wrong here, legally (not morally!)

 

Time to comply, or ship out, I think. Not fair but entirely legal.