Employees Rights Violations

jayzusb.christ

Hi, not sure where else to get advice here but I have a friend from Ukraine who has been working in a warehouse for 7 years. She has recently gained citizenship but cannot find another job due to the currrent economic situation.

The problem is, her boss treats his employees like dirt, shouting obscenities at them and then warning them that they cannot do anything as they will not find work elsewhere, which is probably true. His latest stunt is to insist that they start working BEFORE their start time, and has forbidden their lunch and toilet breaks after they broke this rule.

If anybody personally complains, they will be singled out and probably sacked. I was thinking of writing a letter and enclosing a copy of official employees' rights documentation, but do not wish to implicate my friend (who is a hard-working, timid type and does not want to be the focus of her boss's vengeance if it comes to it).

i am saddened that this goes on in modern-day Ireland and would love to help put a stop to it. Does anybody have any suggestions? Thank you

John Mason

Hi you might a better response in the Work Problems Forum

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=1052

If you want it moved you can pm one of the mods

IB

_blank_

moved from the Dublin City forum

Des

mood

All the employees should stick together and get legal advice and a solicators letter sent to the employer stating there rights and that they need to be meet.

Otis Driftwood

jayzusb.christ wrote: »

shouting obscenities at them

Bullying - illegal

jayzusb.christ wrote: »

His latest stunt is to insist that they start working BEFORE their start time, and has forbidden their lunch and toilet breaks after they broke this rule.

Highly illegal.
This place is a lawsuit waiting to happen.

Best advice would be to talk to the union rep (if one exists) or go to the citizens information centre.

This conduct is immoral and more importantly it contravenes many employment laws.

seamus

Have your friend make a report to NERA. http://www.employmentrights.ie/

They will send in an inspector to string the boss up by the bollix.

jayzusb.christ

Thanks for the advice and links, people. This has been going on for years so hopefully now there might be an end in sight - i'll definitely send on those links and suggestions.

Sleepy

This is one of the few circumstances in which I believe a union can assist. If you know enough of the staff why not try and get them unionised? An approach to SIPTU / MANDATE / whoever the apt union for their sector is should be made if enough of the staff were prepared to back it.

jayzusb.christ

Sleepy wrote: »

This is one of the few circumstances in which I believe a union can assist. If you know enough of the staff why not try and get them unionised? An approach to SIPTU / MANDATE / whoever the apt union for their sector is should be made if enough of the staff were prepared to back it.

I think this is the direction they've decided to take. I got some information from SIPTU at Liberty Hall and it seems like a very good solution to join. I think the main advantage is that legal warnings can be given without specific names being mentioned. Thanks again to everyone, the Ukrainian woman in question is very grateful too.

mood

When making union payments staff can either pay it directly from their wages or directly from their own bank account. I recommend paying from their own bank account so the boss can't identify who is in the union and who is not.

Check with the union in question.