verylittlehelps

Hi,

    Does any one know anything about tescos policy on members of staff being in the Territorial Army?

A member on my shift said to his manager in Sept 2008 that he is joining the TA, his manager signed a bit of paper saying that he has told them of his intentions of joining (paper is part of the application). On Oct 2008 he passed all the tests and enlisted into the TA. Not long after joining he was then asked by his manager is there anything Tesco can do for you to help with your training/TA like a change of days, he replied yes can I have the wed, Fri and sat off. Bearing in mind he works nights 30 hours Wed, Thur, Fri, Sat every week (this is what he worked before any changes to shift). When he asked to have the wed, Fri and sat off they said no you can only swap your sunday day off to the Wednesday (Wednesday 8pm to 10pm for TA training night ).  They said that as we can not give you a contract to have the weekends off you can book them off as unpaid holiday or swaps with other staff members, so that's what he did up until the end of Jan 2009. He used the unpaid as he was getting payed by the army. The last Friday in Jan 09 his manager called him into the office and said you can not take any more unpaid holiday off as you have gone over the 10 days that tesco have in there policy for TA members. His manager quickly flashed the policy in front of him and this was not sufficient time to read it (this was the first time he heard there was a policy). So he asked to have a copy of the policy so he can read it in his own time. His manager said that he is to busy to copy it now and will do it later, he said that's OK but can you give it to me be for I go home, the manager said yes. The time passed and no paper with the policy on was not given. So he left it to the next day to ask again and same thing happened to him, I'm to busy I will do it for you later, same thing happens each time he asks he gets the same reply or it falls on deaf ears.

At the moment he is half way into his TA basic training and can not complete because the TA do there training over weekends and tesco are saying that he can not take any more time off. But they did say he can start taking time off from the 1st April. If he was to wait until April he would have to start at the beginning of his training because for taking to much time away from his weekend training meaning he has wasted his and other peoples time. Another thing that will happen is if he does not pass his training before a certain date he will miss the date when he needs to deploy to Afghanistan. From the start before Jan 09 he was under the impression that they would support him and give time off for the weekends to go training.

After all this chap is willing to place his life on the line for others and his country, does he deserve all of this?

Thanks for any help given  ;)

http://www.sabre.mod.uk/output/Page51.asp (http://www.sabre.mod.uk/output/Page51.asp)

You can drop Saturday night shift without repercussion. Tesco do not need to offer you another shift. His new hours should have been Sun. Mon and Tues nights, with the Army paying him for the weekend (or whatever pay they recieve). Of course a notice period should be given to not work Sat nights (sunday hours).

Just a thought here, this applies to Scotland and I am assuming also with the rest of the UK.

If this was the case, this should have been explained to him when he first let them know he was joining the TA.

Thanks for that link.

From what i know is that he was only told by the TA to let his employer know that he is joining the TA and to tel them that dates he was training. As far as he knows he was allowed to do his weekends and he did not know anything about the 10 days unpaid policy.

On this part of Saber.mod.UK (http://www.sabre.mod.uk/output/page585.asp) it said that Tesco has a HR policy, so far he has not been able to get his hands on it to read it. I all so found this in a Reservist HR Policy template (http://www.sabre.mod.uk/output/Page34.asp)

Quote from: Saber.mod.uk2. Reservist commitments
Training
Reservists are typically committed to 30 days training per year. Training
tends to take place 1 evening per week, over various weekends throughout
the year and one continuous 15 day training period also known as annual
camp.

Quote from: Tenko on 24-02-09, 08:25AM
If this was the case, this should have been explained to him when he first let them know he was joining the TA.

That's what i think to.. The managers he spoke to before joining was the senior night manager and his the line manager that was going on maternity leave a month after he joined. So the senior manager should of taken control and got the info that he needed. We have got different managers filling in until the one on maternity leave comes back or someone else takes over that roll for the long term.


We all know about the credit crunch well it cost the tax payer about £30,000 for each TA soldier that gets trained, just think if lost more have the same problem.

Quote from: Tenko on 24-02-09, 08:25AM
You can drop Saturday night shift without repercussion. Tesco do not need to offer you another shift. His new hours should have been Sun. Mon and Tues nights, with the Army paying him for the weekend (or whatever pay they recieve). Of course a notice period should be given to not work Sat nights (sunday hours).

Just a thought here, this applies to Scotland and I am assuming also with the rest of the UK.

If this was the case, this should have been explained to him when he first let them know he was joining the TA.

When you talk about droping the Saturday night shift, will this be something along the same lines as droping the Sunday and if so would it work for other days of the week? And what would the right procedure be to get the ball rolling?

Thanks

Sorry didn't make that clear did I. You can not be forced into working Sunday hours (hence the reference to Sat nights), even if contracted for hours on Sundays, you can drop these hours without question. As said before this I know applies to Scotland, not sure if it applies to the rest of the UK. In Scotland we can open up 24 hours on a Sunday, In rest of UK not sure if this is allowed, so I am thinking different laws apply.
And no the same rules do not apply for any other hours, days worked. A request can be made to change, or even drop hours. MM are duty bound to look at all requests on an even keel. Same way in which they should approach chaging hours to 'suit the needs of buisness'

Hours have now been changed and i have copyed part of the policy for anyone elase that may find it helpful. I will get the rest of the policy up in the next day or two.

Quote from: Tesco

ELIGIBILITY FOR PAID/UNPAID TIME OFF

We encourage staff to be involved in the local community and we provide reasonable time off
for employees who carry out the following public duties.

Justice of the Peace / Magistrate Member of a Local Authority Member of a Statutory Tribunal Member of a Health Authority (Regional Area or District), National Health Service Trust or Family Practitioner Committee Member of a board of visitors for prisons, remand centres or young offender institutions Governor of a Grant-Maintained School, Higher Education Corporation or an  educational establishment maintained by a Local Education Authority Member of the National Rivers Authority

Special Constable Volunteer Reserve Forces (VRF)  comprising: Territorial Army (TA) Royal Navy Reserve (RNR) Royal Marines Reserve (RMR) Royal Auxiliary Air Force (RAuxAF) Qualified crew member of the Local Royal National Lifeboat (RNLI) Qualified crew member of the Local Fire Brigade Qualified member of a recognised  Mountain Rescue Team Qualified Ambulance crew member of an organisation approved by the Health and Safety Executive Civil Contingency Reaction Force (CCRF)

• If an employee is appointed to one of the public duties listed in the left-hand column, they
  can have reasonable paid time off to attend meetings in connection with their duties.

• If they are appointed to one of the public duties listed in the right hand column, they can
  have reasonable paid time off to attend national or community emergencies in connection
  with their duties. However, if they are paid, we reserve the right to deduct a like amount
  from their Tesco salary.

We will authorise unpaid time off so an employee can attend any specialist training for up to 10
days in any 12 months. In addition, we will try to accommodate their work schedule.

Any members of the Volunteer Reserve Forces are paid for all their training and operational duties
directly, so you should give such employees unpaid time off.

Thanks Faceandgo and Tenko for your help.  :)

Quote from: boom9723 on 01-03-09, 05:12PM

Quote from: Tesco

ELIGIBILITY FOR PAID/UNPAID TIME OFF

We encourage staff to be involved in the local community and we provide reasonable time off
for employees who carry out the following public duties.

• Member of the National Rivers Authority

We will authorise unpaid time off so an employee can attend any specialist training for up to 10
days in any 12 months. In addition, we will try to accommodate their work schedule.

I think I might try saying I'm a member of the National Rivers Authority.  ;)
According to this:
http://www.tiscali.co.uk/reference/encyclopaedia/hutchinson/m0027296.html
it was disbanded in 1996 :o :o. yet it's still in the policy as a supported voluntary activity?
Well I suppose for a company still relying on host/SBO/HRAM I shouldn't be surprised... :-X

the t a guy/girl can take 2 weeks unpaid for ta duties/ training, talk to p.m for all the details, maybe they can change days off or maybe shift swop

As stated in post showing policy Any members of the Volunteer Reserve Forces are paid for all their training and operational duties directly, so you should give such employees unpaid time off.   Show that to the Manager as I read it, it clearly states what is allowed reference Armed Forces Reservists.
Not too happy with Greenhorns  with a couple of weeks training going into Afghanistan though, no disrespect intended, but that is not a place to try out your military new found skills for the first time. GOOD LUCK, TAKE CARE.  :d:

Quote from: boom9723 on 01-03-09, 05:12PM
Hours have now been changed and i have copyed part of the policy for anyone elase that may find it helpful. I will get the rest of the policy up in the next day or two.

Quote from: Tesco

ELIGIBILITY FOR PAID/UNPAID TIME OFF

We encourage staff to be involved in the local community and we provide reasonable time off
for employees who carry out the following public duties.

Justice of the Peace / Magistrate Member of a Local Authority Member of a Statutory Tribunal Member of a Health Authority (Regional Area or District), National Health Service Trust or Family Practitioner Committee Member of a board of visitors for prisons, remand centres or young offender institutions Governor of a Grant-Maintained School, Higher Education Corporation or an  educational establishment maintained by a Local Education Authority Member of the National Rivers Authority

Special Constable Volunteer Reserve Forces (VRF)  comprising: Territorial Army (TA) Royal Navy Reserve (RNR) Royal Marines Reserve (RMR) Royal Auxiliary Air Force (RAuxAF) Qualified crew member of the Local Royal National Lifeboat (RNLI) Qualified crew member of the Local Fire Brigade Qualified member of a recognised  Mountain Rescue Team Qualified Ambulance crew member of an organisation approved by the Health and Safety Executive Civil Contingency Reaction Force (CCRF)

• If an employee is appointed to one of the public duties listed in the left-hand column, they
  can have reasonable paid time off to attend meetings in connection with their duties.

• If they are appointed to one of the public duties listed in the right hand column, they can
  have reasonable paid time off to attend national or community emergencies in connection
  with their duties. However, if they are paid, we reserve the right to deduct a like amount
  from their Tesco salary.

We will authorise unpaid time off so an employee can attend any specialist training for up to 10
days in any 12 months. In addition, we will try to accommodate their work schedule.

Any members of the Volunteer Reserve Forces are paid for all their training and operational duties
directly, so you should give such employees unpaid time off.

Thanks Faceandgo and Tenko for your help.  :)

As I am about to start my special constable training, does anyone know where the original text to this is? Seems like it could be helpful. Many thanks.

yep policies for our people public civic duty ...

I've just today tried to arrange working on my days off and oweing time back for doing special constable training.

I said I want to get paid for the days I have off and work time back over christmas. Or do they have to pay me for my days off anyway?

Info and links are greatly appreciated  :d:

Does not the following quote from the previous post answer your question ?

QuoteWe will authorise unpaid time off so an employee can attend any specialist training for up to 10
days in any 12 months. In addition, we will try to accommodate their work schedule.

I've got 24 training dates in 8 weeks and 2 land on my days off. tesco are now saying they cant let me go...?

I am a governor of a local school working nights. Does this mean if i have a training session the following day i can ask for an unpaid night off. I am fortunate at the minute with a manager who supports my role but would be good to know if this ever changes? 

Quote from: boom9723 on 01-03-09, 05:12PM
Hours have now been changed and i have copyed part of the policy for anyone elase that may find it helpful. I will get the rest of the policy up in the next day or two.

Quote from: Tesco

ELIGIBILITY FOR PAID/UNPAID TIME OFF

We encourage staff to be involved in the local community and we provide reasonable time off
for employees who carry out the following public duties.

Justice of the Peace / Magistrate Member of a Local Authority Member of a Statutory Tribunal Member of a Health Authority (Regional Area or District), National Health Service Trust or Family Practitioner Committee Member of a board of visitors for prisons, remand centres or young offender institutions Governor of a Grant-Maintained School, Higher Education Corporation or an  educational establishment maintained by a Local Education Authority Member of the National Rivers Authority

Special Constable Volunteer Reserve Forces (VRF)  comprising: Territorial Army (TA) Royal Navy Reserve (RNR) Royal Marines Reserve (RMR) Royal Auxiliary Air Force (RAuxAF) Qualified crew member of the Local Royal National Lifeboat (RNLI) Qualified crew member of the Local Fire Brigade Qualified member of a recognised  Mountain Rescue Team Qualified Ambulance crew member of an organisation approved by the Health and Safety Executive Civil Contingency Reaction Force (CCRF)

• If an employee is appointed to one of the public duties listed in the left-hand column, they
  can have reasonable paid time off to attend meetings in connection with their duties.

• If they are appointed to one of the public duties listed in the right hand column, they can
  have reasonable paid time off to attend national or community emergencies in connection
  with their duties. However, if they are paid, we reserve the right to deduct a like amount
  from their Tesco salary.

We will authorise unpaid time off so an employee can attend any specialist training for up to 10
days in any 12 months. In addition, we will try to accommodate their work schedule.

Any members of the Volunteer Reserve Forces are paid for all their training and operational duties
directly, so you should give such employees unpaid time off.

Thanks Faceandgo and Tenko for your help.  :)

I am about to approach my Personnel Manager asking about having a my training weekends off. It's only one Saturday a month. Now my store is infamous for not supporting people and living up to their obligations. I want to go in there with as much evidence as possible. Does anyone have any references or literature that clearly states that I am entitled to this support???

Quote from: omg really ? on 11-09-11, 09:58PM
yep policies for our people public civic duty ...