Benefits for those in retail

Helpneeded86

Hi can people give me a rough idea of benefits they receive working in shops.

Id be particularly interested in Petrol stations/spar/centras if there is anyone employed in some.

Main interests

Holiday time

Sick pay

Over time pay

Sunday pay

zega

Holiday time-For full time workers its legal 20 days a year

Sick pay-No show,no dough

Over time pay-Time and a half,each company is different though

Sunday pay-Not sure

Corruptedmorals

Spars and centras are franchises.

Where I have worked..2 different department stores.

Holidays- 4 weeks for all staff
Overtime- Time and a half, but its not really ever done
Sick pay- after 1 years service
Sundays- time and a half

Helpneeded86

Il copy and paste my post from Bargain Alerts. It may give a better idea of the issues im bringing forward.

Helpneeded86

Probably should be i work problems but again its not really a problem if its standard.

Now im not all in favour here they treat there staff like ****. I seen someone complain about staff earlier.

- no sick benefit/extreme lack of sick cover if you are sick

- christmas bonus €20 applegreen voucher

- staff had to work christmas day for double time

- no extra pay on sunday

- no overtime

- expected to work to 11pm and be in again at 7am. Im sure this could mean 6 hours sleep for some

- the gas thing is they actually test staff in customer relations on a regular basis

- on another more personal situation my girlfriend has performed very well in some of these tests. Yet she has 0 chance of any career progression for a long time in that job.

I just feel i should outline that for those that do feel aggrieved by the staff. Im pretty certain that 80% of the staff in the shop she works will do there best for the customers even considering having working conditions most of us wont have to experience.

I shall state i can understand the business motives behind the above as i have previously managed a min wage workforce. I also have a background in finance. I just feel very strongly about the issue. They cant expect to run a big brand and get away with a corner shop mentality.

**it should be noted in the last week some agreement has been reached re Sunday pay** ive yet to cofirm 100% but it appears to be time and 1/20th which is about €3 a day.**

subpar

Fully agree the conditions of employment are very poor and are only really suitable for someone looking for a part time job or for students looking to earn some money to support themselves whilst in college.

The lack of a sick pay scheme is a disgrace and needs to be rectified as a matter of basic rights.

It is impossible to support a family on retail sector rates of pay , it is no job for the middle aged person who would have all the outgoings of a person trying to have a life and run a home.

Where are the trade unions now ? too busy looking after the public sector elite.

Helpneeded86

Why should someone who works 30-40 hours a week not get a compensation for been in on a Sunday is what kills me.

Im just interested to hear from employees from similar disciplines. It truly does make me smile that they place such an emphasis on employee behaviour towards the customers yet none on motivating the worker.

It is a think line between offering to many benefits coming from a person who saw how it was taken advantage of in the celtic tiger period that i started in the workforce. I worked with a company based near Clonmel that actually booked sick days off pretty much.

It reminds me of the guy who rang the boss Friday evening to inform the boss hed be sick Monday morning.:)

davo10

subpar wrote: »

The lack of a sick pay scheme is a disgrace and needs to be rectified as a matter of basic rights.

It is impossible to support a family on retail sector rates of pay , it is no job for the middle aged person who would have all the outgoings of a person trying to have a life and run a home.
.

Employees out on sick leave are entitled to payment from social welfare after day three. The employer is not required to pay sick leave.

Employers are required to pay a rate above a certain legal level, the employee is entitled to accept/reject this rate. Minimum pay in Ireland is amongst the highest in Europe and is higher than the US. The employer is not responsible for supporting any family but their own.

Wicklowandy

Workers on rotating shifts are entitled to 11 hours between rostered shifts

Eg if you finish at 11pm you cant start before 10am the next day

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=79581766

Helpneeded86

davo10 wrote: »

Employees out on sick leave are entitled to payment from social welfare after day three. The employer is not required to pay sick leave.

Employers are required to pay a rate above a certain legal level, the employee is entitled to accept/reject this rate. Minimum pay in Ireland is amongst the highest in Europe and is higher than the US. The employer is not responsible for supporting any family but their own.

Is the second paragraph still about sick leave or have you moved on to another issue. Id appreciate if you could clarify this as the first line of the second paragraph makes no sense unless we know the context.

Wicklowandy wrote: »

Workers on rotating shifts are entitled to 11 hours between rostered shifts

Eg if you finish at 11pm you cant start before 10am the next day

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=79581766

I guess i probably should have left that complaint out really. I mean there is just 2 shifts so it means someone is stuck on 2 evening shifts if they dont work the 7am shift so i guess in a way been in the morning shift can be an advantage as opposed to been stuck on continuous night shifts.

I mean i can understand they dont pay sick pay when it is the norm among the industry. Surely a good company could offer 2-3 sick days per annum.

The Sunday pay is the big thing for me i am utterly convinced that this is where they are getting done big time.

I should state here im not having a go at the individual shop but the overall company. Did any of the management partake in basic HR training you would have to wonder.

davo10

Helpneeded86 wrote: »

Is the second paragraph still about sick leave or have you moved on to another issue. Id appreciate if you could clarify this as the first line of the second paragraph makes no sense unless we know the context.

The second paragraph relates to the second paragraph in quotation from subpar about pay rates.

Helpneeded86

davo10 wrote: »

The second paragraph relates to the second paragraph in quotation from subpar about pay rates.

Ya in fairness you wont hear me giving out about the wage it is what it is. But i do believe strongly they are getting a raw deal on Sunday pay.

I mean no one is suggesting they have to give any incentives to make the happier at work. But dont insult them with a token they gave to pretty much all there customers.

Would it really kill an employer to treat employees to a €30 meal once a year. It is probably going to be a €300 cost.

Give me one good reason why anyone should attain to go above and beyond in there job and be scrutinised by tests on there customer service level.

The killing thing is there willing to spend money on mystery shoppers.

glagirl

I have worked for several shops over the years and to be honest conditions and pay are depends on the shop owner. I have worked for Centra and Spar along with several petrol stations. I have found that basicly you work what every hours you are given even if you on late shift one night and may be expected to open again at 7am. I have never got overtime just regular pay and never finished ontime as we were required to cash till up at end of shift which could take 15 mins and if the till was short we were deducted the dif out of our wages the same as if a person drove of without paying at a petrol pump for petrol(which has never happened to me but to others that i worked with). The last shop i worked for i did everything from tills, stocking shelves, and I was over the pricing display(had to make sure all prices were displayed correctly) along with placing the orders and locking up. I also had to lots of office work like the daily accounts input in to the computer and banking the shop money yet when i got preg they did their best to get me to leave by cutting my hrs and changed my roto around to make it hard for me. Its crap work and i do hope i dont have to go back to it. I mean its thankless work and the money is rubbish. Its ok to say you have right and you prob have but if you dont like the condition then they will just tell you the you know where the door is and they is 20 more waiting for your job. Oh and not to mention the drunks that call in at 5 mins before closing time to buy a bottle of wine and abuse the staff, another perk of the job.

Helpneeded86

glagirl wrote: »

I have worked for several shops over the years and to be honest conditions and pay are depends on the shop owner. I have worked for Centra and Spar along with several petrol stations. I have found that basicly you work what every hours you are given even if you on late shift one night and may be expected to open again at 7am. I have never got overtime just regular pay and never finished ontime as we were required to cash till up at end of shift which could take 15 mins and if the till was short we were deducted the dif out of our wages the same as if a person drove of without paying at a petrol pump for petrol(which has never happened to me but to others that i worked with). The last shop i worked for i did everything from tills, stocking shelves, and I was over the pricing display(had to make sure all prices were displayed correctly) along with placing the orders and locking up. I also had to lots of office work like the daily accounts input in to the computer and banking the shop money yet when i got preg they did their best to get me to leave by cutting my hrs and changed my roto around to make it hard for me. Its crap work and i do hope i dont have to go back to it. I mean its thankless work and the money is rubbish. Its ok to say you have right and you prob have but if you dont like the condition then they will just tell you the you know where the door is and they is 20 more waiting for your job. Oh and not to mention the drunks that call in at 5 mins before closing time to buy a bottle of wine and abuse the staff, another perk of the job.

Thanks for the input and your situation seems a lot worse than the company that she works for. Maybe I expect to much as someone who never really had to work in that industry.

P.S without sounding bitchy throwing in a paragraph or two in a post like that really helps the eyes digest it easier. Thanks again for the input.

Mrs OBumble

Helpneeded86 wrote: »

Why should someone who works 30-40 hours a week not get a compensation for been in on a Sunday is what kills me.

Are the Sunday hours in excess of the regular 30-40 hours, or just part of it?

Personally it kills me that someone who works on Thursday (for example) should get less than someone who works on Sunday, just 'cos it's only Thursday.

What's the difference?

Helpneeded86

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

Are the Sunday hours in excess of the regular 30-40 hours, or just part of it?

Personally it kills me that someone who works on Thursday (for example) should get less than someone who works on Sunday, just 'cos it's only Thursday.

What's the difference?

Part of it but seriously come on. Do you ever socialise? 80% of your friends are off!! What days do you have free so Thursday and Friday? Try get someone to do something on a weekday or what if you have kids in school.

The above statement can only come from someone who never has had to work on a Sunday.

Mrs OBumble

Helpneeded86 wrote: »

Part of it but seriously come on. Do you ever socialise? 80% of your friends are off!! What days do you have free so Thursday and Friday? Try get someone to do something on a weekday or what if you have kids in school.

The above statement can only come from someone who never has had to work on a Sunday.

,

I've done shift work for about 5 years in the past - and like everyone else in the place, I tried to get Sunday shifts because the were better paid and easier (less customers, and very few of them were drunk - oh, and the most-competent staff were the ones who tended to get rewarded with the Sunday shifts.)

I socialize plenty - but rarely ever on Sunday, that's when most people I know are going to church, doing household things and shopping and getting ready for the week ahead.

Agree it can be hard on family life if one parent is regularly working both Saturday and Sunday - but that wasn't the OP's complaint. And it has other rewards, in terms of being home when the kids come from school two days/week, and being available for school trips etc.

And it's actually easier to organise a social life around regular weekend work than it is around rotating shifts, in which the days you're off vary each week. You simply need to make friends with people who are also off work on the days you are off: there are plenty of shift workers around, you just have to make the effort to find them.

Helpneeded86

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

,

I've done shift work for about 5 years in the past - and like everyone else in the place, I tried to get Sunday shifts because the were better paid and easier (less customers, and very few of them were drunk - oh, and the most-competent staff were the ones who tended to get rewarded with the Sunday shifts.)

I socialize plenty - but rarely ever on Sunday, that's when most people I know are going to church, doing household things and shopping and getting ready for the week ahead.

Agree it can be hard on family life if one parent is regularly working both Saturday and Sunday - but that wasn't the OP's complaint. And it has other rewards, in terms of being home when the kids come from school two days/week, and being available for school trips etc.

And it's actually easier to organise a social life around regular weekend work than it is around rotating shifts, in which the days you're off vary each week. You simply need to make friends with people who are also off work on the days you are off: there are plenty of shift workers around, you just have to make the effort to find them.

Ah here this is almost hilarious. You say you sought out work on Sunday because it was better paid.

Lets be realistic im not sure how many people develop new friendships after they leave college. I personally dont have one close friend that i socialise with that i didnt go to school with.

davo10

Helpneeded86 wrote: »

Ah here this is almost hilarious. You say you sought out work on Sunday because it was better paid.

Lets be realistic im not sure how many people develop new friendships after they leave college. I personally dont have one close friend that i socialise with that i didnt go to school with.

I can't see why it would be important to your employer that you make friends on your days off. If working Sundays is part if your job then you have a choice, work or don't, plenty of others who will.

Helpneeded86

davo10 wrote: »

I can't see why it would be important to your employer that you make friends on your days off. If working Sundays is part if your job then you have a choice, work or don't, plenty of others who will.

The fact they are not been payed Sunday pay as seems to be required and standard in most jobs is the issue. Working the Sunday is not the issue as such.

mikemac1

In my experience:

Holiday time - 20 days per year for full time. 8% holiday pay if you are part time

Sick pay - talk to the Social Welfare over this, I never got this from the employer

Over time pay - never got it. I will say I got pay in 15 minute slots. If I'm staying late with the till and lockup I get paid for that.

Sunday pay - I was on 9 euro ph standard and I got 12 euro ph Sundays. I have heard of JLC's but I don't know anything about them or if they apply

Perks - Deli food, could make some nice sandwiches for myself and grab some lucozade.

Rest Periods - Bwahahahahaha :pac: If you finish late and you are rostered early you do it. If you refuse then your hours are cut and the new hire will get them :rolleyes:


That's it

Helpneeded86

mikemac1 wrote: »

In my experience:

Holiday time - 20 days per year for full time. 8% holiday pay if you are part time

Sick pay - talk to the Social Welfare over this, I never got this from the employer

Over time pay - never got it

Sunday pay - I was on 9 euro ph standard and I got 12 euro ph Sundays. I have heard of JLC's but I don't know anything about them or if they apply

Perks - Deli food, could make some nice sandwiches for myself and grab some lucozade.

Rest Periods - Bwahahahahaha :pac: If you finish late and you are rostered early you do it. If you refuse they your hours are cut and the new hire will get them :rolleyes:


That's it

To be honest id agree with most of the above really. The Sunday thing irks me a lot.

I also think a gesture at Christmas really does help morale.

Procrastastudy

Typically rest periods are ignored out of ignorance more than anything else.

Sick play - employer dependent. Most places I worked paid sick pay.

Most people working in retail don't mind working week-ends just part of the job really. However most retailer I know do get pissed off with the erosions of Easter and Xmas.

Actually I quite liked working Saturdays - meant I got a day off in the week. Sundays would be worked on rotation - some staff sough them though - premium time is undefined most pay time + 1/4 to time +1/2.

Expect to work beyond restored hours. My biggest issue was donkey-bonnet customers tbh. What is it that people think they've a God given right to come in and be a***holes.

wmpdd3

The new contracts are time and a third for a Sunday and a Bank holiday.
Yes, I expect to work a Sunday and Bank holidays but it gets to the point where when there's a 21st / wedding etc, either you dont go or you go and drive home and work the next day. After a while family stop inviting you, you'll probably be working anyway.

One place I worked, I would work 4 days 8-6 then 11-6 on a Sunday, that was my weeks work, I'd be paid for am full week but nothing more. Getting '3' hours off on a Sunday as it was a short day was you extra pay.

Really the worst part is Christmas, usually the last day off is around the 14th of Dec.
So straight through till 7 pm Chrsitmas Eve, back in St. Stephan's day morning.

Stheno

wmpdd3 wrote: »

The new contracts are time and a third for a Sunday and a Bank holiday.
Yes, I expect to work a Sunday and Bank holidays but it gets to the point where when there's a 21st / wedding etc, either you dont go or you go and drive home and work the next day. After a while family stop inviting you, you'll probably be working anyway.

One place I worked, I would work 4 days 8-6 then 11-6 on a Sunday, that was my weeks work, I'd be paid for am full week but nothing more. Getting '3' hours off on a Sunday as it was a short day was you extra pay.

Really the worst part is Christmas, usually the last day off is around the 14th of Dec.
So straight through till 7 pm Chrsitmas Eve, back in St. Stephan's day morning.

Do people who take jobs in stores with those hours not realise that?

I used work in pc support, 24/7/365, we got a premium for working nights but nothing above that, same pay xmas day as a normal Monday

barney 20v

Helpneeded86 wrote: »

Hi can people give me a rough idea of benefits they receive working in shops.

Id be particularly interested in Petrol stations/spar/centras if there is anyone employed in some.

Main interests

Holiday time

Sick pay

Over time pay

Sunday pay

Why are you interested op ? Journalist perhaps???

RainyDay

subpar wrote: »

Where are the trade unions now ? too busy looking after the public sector elite.

Or too busy running the union for retail staff (Mandate) and creatively campaigning to support good employers in that sector; http://fairshop.ie/MANDATE-LAUNCHES-FAIR-SHOP-CAMPAIGN-TO-ENCOURAGE-CONSUMERS-TO-SHOP-WHERE-WORKERS-ARE-RESPECTED/

davo10

wmpdd3 wrote: »

The new contracts are time and a third for a Sunday and a Bank holiday.
Yes, I expect to work a Sunday and Bank holidays but it gets to the point where when there's a 21st / wedding etc, either you dont go or you go and drive home and work the next day. After a while family stop inviting you, you'll probably be working anyway.

One place I worked, I would work 4 days 8-6 then 11-6 on a Sunday, that was my weeks work, I'd be paid for am full week but nothing more. Getting '3' hours off on a Sunday as it was a short day was you extra pay.

Really the worst part is Christmas, usually the last day off is around the 14th of Dec.
So straight through till 7 pm Chrsitmas Eve, back in St. Stephan's day morning.

What has weddings/21st got to do with your employer?. In the retail sector December 14 to the period when post Christmas sales end is the busiest time of the year. If you do not want to work on the busiest days of each week and at the busiest time of the year, leave, let someone who does want to work have your job.

An employer is required to follow the law in terms of rates of pay, leave, safety etc, they are not required to schedule their rotas around your social life.

Lets get a dose of reality here, there are now thousands of people including third level graduates who would gladly take retail sector jobs even if it meant working Sundays and all of December.

wmpdd3

In response to the OP request, I have given a snap shot of the current conditions in retail. After 15 years experience in retail, I feel I can comment on how the conditions affect your work life balance.

Procrastastudy

davo10 wrote: »

What has weddings/21st got to do with your employer?. In the retail sector December 14 to the period when post Christmas sales end is the busiest time of the year. If you do not want to work on the busiest days of each week and at the busiest time of the year, leave, let someone who does want to work have your job.

It is - however rather than look at alternatives employers break various employment rules and make people work through. I dont have an issue with that but every year they seem to want more. We used to work through until early on Xmas eve and then start again on the 27th. Now it's late on the 24th and early on the 26th. Before 2020 shops will be open on Xmas day. It's won't make anyone any-more money.

It's just daft to take the attitude that is someone will do the job get out. If that's the case we should all be working 18 hour days for a euro an hour.

davo10 wrote: »

An employer is required to follow the law in terms of rates of pay, leave, safety etc, they are not required to schedule their rotas around your social life.

No they are not. That's what holidays are for. However senior retail management are obsessed with keeping more junior managers in when they are not. It should work that a store manager can take the occasional Saturday or Sunday off, come back in, review figures and deal with any drop off by training the Deputy managers. What happens is that Area manager tells the store manager it's too busy to take off and then disappears for the weekend.

davo10 wrote: »

Lets get a dose of reality here, there are now thousands of people including third level graduates who would gladly take retail sector jobs even if it meant working Sundays and all of December.

Between wmpdd3 and myself we have over thirty years retail experience. Third level don't stick around retail any longer than they have too, which adds to the issue. Its one thing to work hard its another thing entirely to be exploited.

apache

Did you not look at your contract or ask about it?
You should have known the story. No point in moaning now. Tough.