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Following on from the topic earlier today about bookies not taking proper bets, I thought that I’d add that the bookies appear to be breaking the law in regards to working time regulations.
I’ve spoken to staff at Ladbrokes, Hills, Corals, Paddy Power, Stan James, Betfred and Jenningsbet in my particular part of South London and all of the managers, assistant managers and senior cashiers to whom I have spoken have said that they have been "asked" (ie pressured) to take less than the eleven hour minimum break between shifts on at least one occasion already this year.
Government legislation is clear on this matter:
<!– m –>https://www.gov.uk/rest-breaks-work/exceptions<!– m –>
As I don’t see the bookmaking industry listed under the exemptions, why are betting shop staff often closing at 22:00 (they’re paid an additional ten minutes’ cashing up time, but some don’t actually leave until half past) and then opening at 08:00 the next day?
The lack of a union dedicated to betting shop workers means that the employers can continue to intimidate staff, but surely somebody from the racing press should be looking into this? Or would it upset their paymasters if they did?
Yes, they are breaking the law. Unfortunately this sort of thing is common. In my gym the instructors are required ( not asked) to work until 22.00 on a Wednesday and start at 06.30 on Thursday, a clear breach of the law.
The problem is most people are scared to contest this type of thing even though the law is on their side. It is really important that people join a union who can help them be protected. USDAW represent betting office staff. With this government doing all it can to erode workers rights they need representation to make sure they are not exploited. Should they get 50% membership the company can be forced to recognise the union and have a collective bargaining agreement. This happened for Ladbrokes staff in N. Ireland.
I am senior shop steward for USDAW at my site and since we got the majority of the 500 employees in the Union things have got a lot better and we now even negitiate our own pay and terms instead of having them imposed. We now have much better terms and conditions, including pay, than other sites working for my company who aren’t unionised. People need to realise they are protected by law if they join a union and cannot be dismissed even within the two year rule.
It’s interesting that you mention (and represent) USDAW, Kenh.
My partner is an assistant manager for one of the big three bookies and she has found that many of her colleagues have joined a different union, Community.
Obviously, this fragmentation of the workforce is not a good thing for employees.
Obviously better if they all join the same union. USDAW is more specialist for shop and distribution workers but Community is fine and do do a lot for Betting Office staff. The important thing though is that they join a union of some kind.
The WTD is fine in principle but doesn’t work in the real world.
When I worked in IT in the banking industry we saw the WTD as a major interference in the way we worked. The way we
wanted
to work and to be quiet honest we used to totally ignore it, even though it technicallky meant we were in breach of the law.
One week in four I worked a full week, was oncall overnight (and was called in most nights) then did a full weekend on call, invariably with many calls and having to go in many times. There were no such things as 24 hour breaks.
There were frequently times when we worked from our normal start time of 08:00 and would work all day, right through the night and then, sometimes, our normal working day as well.
Do you know what? We were not exploited, we did it because we had pride in our work and took a professional approach to our job.
We took a pragmatic, common sense approach, if we got too tired or were not functioning properly, we either went home or if we were too far away from home, booked into a local hotel to get some sleep. In other words there was an element of everyone, management and staff, all working together with give and take on both sides. On the other side there was flexibility when we did want time off – I considered it an adult approach to working hours.
Of course people could choose to work within the WTD if they wanted to …… I only recall it happening twice. One was a permanent member of staff and they did not last long. They left not because of pressure from the company but from peer pressure. The other was a contractor and their contract was terminated.
Yes there are some employers who will take advantage of staff and those staff need to be protected, however there are many employees who are happy to work extended hours and their freedom to do so should not be restricted.
As for Unions, well I think it would be safe to say my views are diametrically opposed to Kenh’s.
I have never and would never join a union.
Interestingly the two most inefficient, terrible places I have ever worked at were both heavily unionised. The management were unable to manage properly as a result of constant interference from the Union and the staff were probably the most disgruntled I have ever worked with – apart from those who took little pride in their work and just wanted to be carried and, of course, the Shop Stewards were like Maffia bosses doing as they pleased, with impunity as management were too scared to discipline them. .
In other words there was an element of everyone, management and staff, all working together with give and take on both sides. On the other side there was flexibility when we did want time off – I considered it an adult approach to working hours.
Your erstwhile employers sound like a paragon of virtue compared to the bookmakers, judging by what my chats with betting shop employees have revealed.
People often confuse the activities of shop stewards and the official Union view which today is far more strategic and is about the only organised body that is seeking modern methods and innovations to save and grow real jobs for UK workers. In Germany, a successful and sustainable economy, unions work in harmony with management on company boards and investment is obtained by local banks keen for the local areas to thrive.
Once many people had company pensions, paid overtime and paid call-out. Now over 50% have not a single penny in a pension; have below inflation pay increases and so low a job security level they are scared to spend what little they have left after massive tax and NI take outs.
At the same time a substantial band of in-work folks are paid in part by the taxpayer with tax credits and housing benefit.
Some interns have been working unpaid for up to 5 years in the vain hope of a real job.This is all economically and socially unsustainable
Would you Adam and Eve it? One of the major bookies (I won’t mention them by name but you could shave in the reflection off their boss’s head) is planning to open on Christmas Day! Bets won’t be able to be taken over the counter, as the licence doesn’t allow for that, but- hoorah!- FOBTs are licensed to operate 365 days per year, so staff will have to forego their turkey in order to babysit the needy and greedy and watch the roulette wheel spinning on the big day itself.
In other news, one of their rivals (they think they’re wacky and irreverent, but actually they’re tacky and irrelevant) is having their Christmas party next week. Staff have been invited to drink and dance until 3am…. but are still expected to report for duty four hours later. Couldn’t they have delayed opening until 10am on one day only? Or is the rush of FOBT customers on Tuesday mornings that important to their business model?
Would you Adam and Eve it? One of the major bookies (I won’t mention them by name but you could shave in the reflection off their boss’s head) is planning to open on Christmas Day! Bets won’t be able to be taken over the counter, as the licence doesn’t allow for that, but- hoorah!- FOBTs are licensed to operate 365 days per year, so staff will have to forego their turkey in order to babysit the needy and greedy and watch the roulette wheel spinning on the big day itself.
In other news, one of their rivals (they think they’re wacky and irreverent, but actually they’re tacky and irrelevant) is having their Christmas party next week. Staff have been invited to drink and dance until 3am…. but are still expected to report for duty four hours later. Couldn’t they have delayed opening until 10am on one day only? Or is the rush of FOBT customers on Tuesday mornings that important to their business model?
Posts like these are a good way of tempting out the tory-loving right wingers. Ill be surprised if we dont hear "Arent they lucky to have jobs and they dont have to work in the industry if they dont want to".
SHL
I’m not a Tory but can’t see the problem.
Loads of workers, including those connected with racing, work over Xmas.
e.g. stable staff, airport workers, emergency services,breakdown services, petrol stations etc etc
We live in a 24/7 society- that’s the way of the worldAll of those professions you list (with the exception of stable staff), Lingfield, provide essential services. Is it vital to look after addicts on roulette machines?
Posts like these are a good way of tempting out the tory-loving right wingers. Ill be surprised if we dont hear "Arent they lucky to have jobs and they dont have to work in the industry if they dont want to".
Sorry to dissappoint SHL – you may need some Stereotype Re-Adjustment Therapy.
I find this utterly disgraceful. A repulsive new low from the betting shop fraternity.
Mike (non-communist)
…nor anyone talking about it.
Exactly. This is the sort of story the press ought to cover but won’t.
Posts like these are a good way of tempting out the tory-loving right wingers. Ill be surprised if we dont hear "Arent they lucky to have jobs and they dont have to work in the industry if they dont want to".
Sorry to dissappoint SHL – you may need some Stereotype Re-Adjustment Therapy.
I find this utterly disgraceful. A repulsive new low from the betting shop fraternity.
Mike (non-communist)
Bugger!!
I was just about to address you as Sturmbannführer Mike as well.
less of this humane stuff please, ok.
SHL
SHL
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