E-Petition

[Steve Walsh]

Well I dont think anyone would really have expected anything more - bit of a reality check - heart in the right place and im sure done wih the best of intentions (albeit with some frankly toe curling statements about noone getting sick pay or holiday etc) but if all we can come up with is an online petition which seems to be largely populated by petitions from, shall we say the 'lunatic fringe' - im amazed there was a response at all

strike me down if ive upset everyone but just the way i see it

A trowel is a thing to lust for!

[BAJR Host]

twas expected... now .............. the reality.....

"No job worth doing was ever done on time or under budget.."
Khufu

[Timber Wolf]

No holiday pay? 20 days minimum holiday pay has been a legal requirment for some years now, Pro rata for short term work). If you are not geting paid holiday have a word with your employer, and if the company is an RAO report them they are in breach of the law and IFA guidelines.

I am sorry I have no time for people who cry but take no action stand up for your rights.

hooowl

[Illuminated]

It seemed to me that the petition had only been given a cursory glance at and that the respondent seemed to be under the misapprehension that it was just one archaeologist who was being unfairly treated...

I believe it is still possible to count the 8 days bank and public holidays as part of the 20 days annual leave, and in the last 6 weeks I have worked for a unit that only starts to pay statutory sick pay (£55 a week?) after you have been off ill three days already.

[BAJR Host]

And watch out for rolled up holiday pay!

"No job worth doing was ever done on time or under budget.."
Khufu

[voice of reason]

[I believe it is still possible to count the 8 days bank and public holidays as part of the 20 days annual leave,

Yes it is, but not if they are an RAO.


in the last 6 weeks I have worked for a unit that only starts to pay statutory sick pay (£55 a week?) after you have been off ill three days already.
[/quote]

you mean they are following the law? SSP only needs to be paid after 3 days absence (unless part of a 'Linking' period of sickness - see DWP website if you want to know more). Standard rate for SSP was £72.55 pw from April 2006.

[Illuminated]

Yes, following the law to the very letter. Thank goodness for the law or I suspect there would have been absolutely no sick pay at all. Bare minimum reluctant adherence to what is a very basic safety net is in no way the sign of a good employer that cares for its staff's well being and happiness.

[voice of reason]

it is pretty standard practice in many industries that those on short-term contracts have no right to sick pay from their employer above SSP, or only move onto company sick pay schemes when they have fulfilled a qualifying period. This is recognised in the RAO requirement for sick pay allowing a qualifying period. This may be seen as a 'getting to know you' period. If you stya with an RAO you should move onto sick pay scheme after this qualifying period.

Looking at archaeology, I am sure the longer-term wish would be to move towards sick pay for all. However, and I know it wins no friends, but the introduction overnight of the cost of sick pay at full salary level from day 1 for RAOs would be another significant imposition, because it adds substantially to overhead costs. Again it comes down to those organsiations who are 'virtuous' would be 'punished' commercially, and those outside the RAO system would enjoy more commercial advantage.

[BAJR Host]

Quite right there VoR ... SSP should be paid as per the legal requirement..

If you don't have a company scheme, you'll be paid SSP by your employer (as long as you qualify). The current rate is £72.55 per week. SSP doesn't start until the fourth day that you're off sick, so you might not get paid anything for the first three days.

Now that can be harsh on a person who has now lost three days pay... and SSP is not exactly generous... so the employer should consider the implications - where a bit of generosity (say.. paying half wages) will not exactly break the bank, and make the employee feel they are 'cared' for.

Paying full sick pay.. is indeed an added extra, but once again , its not as if every employee falls sick on day one, then spends the rest of the time ill... costing loads, its only going to affect a few people for a few days.. a happy workforce that feels that IF they get sick, they are looked after, may be a more productive workforce. - Otherwise they may jsut crawl in to work and then everyone else gets ill... !

What would be an acceptable qualifying period? 3 months? and what about the old fave... 3 month contracts, then rehired for another 3 months? would a person qualify then..

good points to raise VoR

and here is the calculator for working it out
http://sspcalculator.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/SSP01.aspx

"No job worth doing was ever done on time or under budget.."
Khufu