Unpaid meetings at work? legal?

[lukechad]

This doesnt regard me, but my girlfriend.

She works in a nursery and has been at this one for almost 2 years now, she was at a few others during her NVQ training.

Anyway, once a month a staff meeting is held there after hours where the staff are told they MUST attend. This time is unpaid and is usually 3hrs long from 6pm until 9pm.

This evening is the same, apart from the boss is sitting in this one tonight and she is still there and doesnt expect to be out until 10:30pm. Thats 4 and a half hours sat there, unpaid. She also is back in at 7am tomorrow morning.

Is this practice illegal or just something that really should be wrong but isnt?

Had a look on the net but not much luck, thought id try you lot for any info!

 

[RDM]

My guess (and it is a guess) is that it all depends on the contract.

 

[mr tommo]

That sounds a bit harsh. No idea if its legal or not but I wouldn't be happy about it.

Which nursery is it?

 

[Raymond Lin]

I bet in the contract there will be a clause that states : "from time to time the employee is required to perform duties outside the job description" or along those lines.

And i would expect a staff meeting isn't out of the realm of responsibility of a employee to attend, and i can't see any tribunal objecting to it as it is only once a month .

 

[JBuk]

should be paid though surely?

 

[BennyC]

Yeah i would suggest checking her contract. Some have clauses stating extra hours may need to be worked/attended if need be. This could cover the meetings. Normally if your being called BACK into work I would expect pay. If I was already there and they asked to stay for a meeting i wouldnt be so fussed. However nobody likes staying at work longer than they need to.

 

[Pez]

Yeah i would suggest checking her contract. Some have clauses stating extra hours may need to be worked/attended if need be.

That is fine - She still needs paying for it.

 

[lukechad]

I dont wish to say the name of the nursery as this info is online and accessible to anyone to read.

She (as is everyone there) is always unhappy about them but tonight especially she is fuming!

If there is no mention of these meetings in her contract then can the staff refuse to attend.

I will get her conract out to have a look and see whats in there, the guy running this nursery really doesnt know how to run a happy workplace at all. This is just 1 of quite a few problems when it comes to staff treatment etc. I did tell my girlfriend to make a diary of dates and times of events she thinks need addressing. The guy isnt happy until he makes someone cry if they are in trouble for the most trivial of things.

 

[Stretch]

If she gets paid salary i.e. not by the hour then it's all down to her contract. If she gets paid by the hour I'd expect to get paid for each hour I’m in the meeting.

If there is no mention of these meetings in her contract then can the staff refuse to attend.

Yes, but normally employers put generic clauses in their contract to cover stuff like this. Whether it would stand up in court is another matter, but do you really want to take it that far? I'd check the contrct first though.

 

[Mr Jack]

Is she paid a salary, or by the hour?

 

[lukechad]

She is hourly paid

 

[mr tommo]

I dont wish to say the name of the nursery as this info is online and accessible to anyone to read.

No probs, we probably do the photographs there so I was just curious thats all.

 

[Pez]

She is hourly paid

In that case, no pay = no show

 

[RDM]

should be paid though surely?

Really depends on what it says in the contract.

 

[Stretch]

In that case, no pay = no show

Yep, I'd tell them to stick it. Or she could suggest they pay her for a few hours shopping.

 

[lukechad]

Seems I will have to get the conract dug out then!

I assume if no mention of "extra duties" is in there then they are all within their rights not to attend?

 

[JBuk]

I assume if no mention of "extra duties" is in there then they are all within their rights not to attend?

afaik If she has attended a few meetings already it could be an assumed part of her duties even though its not specifically in the contract, I may be completey wrong though

 

[Stretch]

Seems I will have to get the conract dug out then!

I assume if no mention of "extra duties" is in there then they are all within their rights not to attend?

She can yes. But I'd try and negotiate the extra pay out of them before simply saying I'm not turning up.

 

[mr tommo]

Only problem is, although they wont be able to sack her, it won't be hard for the boss to make her time there unbearable if shes the one kicking up a fuss about it.

 

[Stretch]

Only problem is, although they wont be able to sack her, it won't be hard for the boss to make her time there unbearable if shes the one kicking up a fuss about it.

The employer would be a **** then, and it's time to leave.