Employee Exploitation by Charities

[UKSBD]

There is no real reason for this post, just venting

My own business just ticks over, is pretty automated and I tend to just work on it in evenings.

I was thinking about volunteering at a local repair shed type place, but then something better came along, a little paid job as a retail assistant at a local charity re-sell shop Saturday and Sunday morning 9 - 12

Went for the interview, got the job, absolutely love it, my dream job really at my stage of life.

Turns out though that it isn't just a retail assistant, I'm there on my own, have to get there 10 minutes early to unlock, run through health and safety check, make sure aisles are clear and everything safe, then at end of day, do the tilling up, cashing up, locking up and take take earnings to bank (on Saturday).

Basically doing extra half hour a day on a 3 hour day

The extra time doesn't really bother me as it's a charity (or that's what I initially thought).

What does bother me though is, the place is a death trap, people just come and dump stuff everywhere, in the shop, in the yard, just pile stuff up on rickety tables outside, shelves that look as though they could collapse at any minute, children come in, go through all the toys playing with them in the aisles then leaving everything out when finished, but even worse, furniture stacked 3 high in an outside gazebo that people rummage through.

On reading my contract, the buck would be passed to me if anything happened on a Saturday or Sunday

I asked my initial contact (depot manager) about the hierarchy of responsibility

She is depot manager, then district manager, then area manager, then CEO

None appear to care, the district manager tells depot manager to keep things safe, but visits weekly and can clearly see it isn't, but she's passed the buck to depot manager.

I dare say area manager does the same and CEO sits cosy at the top.

My concern now is if anything happens when I am there on my own, the buck lands on me.

I love working there, but after a near accident yesterday I went and spoke to the depot manager today to ask what authority do I have.

I said to her, if I get there on a Saturday morning, don't consider it safe from the previous day, am I allowed to put up barriers, close access to everywhere and tidy up 1st.

She said, no, I have to open the yard and shop at 9:00 on the dot

I told her she was mad, she has been risking possible manslaughter charges the 4 years she has been there for the sake of a minimum wage job.

I don't want to resign, there is a cluse in contract saying I have to pay for all my training if resigning in 1st 6 months.

I'm probably going to go there Saturday morning, if I don't consider safe I won't open up and wait for them to sack me.

I'm fortunate that I don't need the job, but it's criminal the way they are exploiting their minimum wage staff

And the CEO's of these types of companies get all the praise and looked up to for the good they do.

Love to hear your views @Newchodge

Is this just the way of the world where people need the jobs?

Sorry - Just a vent.

 

[ctrlbrk]

I was thinking about volunteering

Is this the same place you posted about a few days ago, about the unpaid extra hours?

 

[UKSBD]

Is this the same place you posted about a few days ago, about the unpaid extra hours?

Yes, the extra hours don't really bother me that much, would like some clarification on how they do things though.

It's the fact that an accident could happen when I am only one there that concerns me and whether I would be held responsible.

This isn't your typical charity shop, it's more of a re-sell shop, people drop stuff in throughout the day, even drop stuff off when no one there, you never know what it's going to be like until you get there in the morning.

Yesterday it was like a bomb site and the final straw for me, such a shame as it could be so much better if they enforced policies

 

[ctrlbrk]

Yes, the extra hours don't really bother me that much, would like some clarification on how they do things though.

It's the fact that an accident could happen when I am only one there that concerns me and whether I would be held responsible.

This isn't your typical charity shop, it's more of a re-sell shop, people drop stuff in throughout the day, even drop stuff off when no one there, you never know what it's going to be like until you get there in the morning.

Yesterday it was like a bomb site and the final straw for me, such a shame as it could be so much better if they enforced policies

I asked the question because, looking at the whole thing it does seem like it's a charity on paper but it's exploiting people in reality.

No H&S, no overtime recognition, no actual oversight it seems.... what's not to like!

 

[UKSBD]

I asked the question because, looking at the whole thing it does seem like it's a charity on paper but it's exploiting people in reality.

No H&S, no overtime recognition, no actual oversight it seems.... what's not to like!

It's not a small charity it is a big National charity (actually, a regional division of the main charity)

It was a real eye opener to me how bad things are, I feel sorry for the people who work there and don't really have a choice.

Typical example, "your not allowed to leave stuff there it's a hazard", "where shall I put it then"? Shrug of shoulders! (and it was a district manager who put it there in the 1st place.

 

[ctrlbrk]

It's not a small charity it is a big National charity (actually, a regional division of the main charity)

That's even worse!!

I'd call a journalist in if I were you.

 

[UKSBD]

That's even worse!!

I'd call a journalist in if I were you.

Yeah, but place gets closed down, staff lose their jobs and I'm seen as the baddy

 

[ctrlbrk]

Yeah, but place gets closed down, staff lose their jobs and I'm seen as the baddy

So what's the alternative: stay in a job you already decided you'll leave and risk liability for H&S violations?

I'd rather make noise and get fired so no training fees to repay.

 

[UKSBD]

So what's the alternative: stay in a job you already decided you'll leave and risk liability for H&S violations?

I'd rather make noise and get fired so no training fees to repay.

I didn't really know until I wrote this post, I was just venting really.

After re-reading what I wrote, I think I would be crazy to just stay and accept things as they are though.

I think sensible thing is to go in, put barriers up, clear all aisles, put everything in an area, rope it off and not accept any more items when that area is full.

Section off the area where furniture is piled up in an unsafe way before letting anyone in.

If they don't like that I will say they have to sack me then, as I will be doing it every day if it isn't safe when I get there.

Just hope I have the nerve to do it

 

[Newchodge]

I am afraid that, in my experience, charities can be among the worst employers. there was one where a senior manager was expected to work an average 60 hour week plus, on occasion drive a 300 mile round trip in the course of the day. When she objected it was pointed out to her that the (big national) charity's clients were what mattered, not the staff.

1. If this is a minimum wage job you must be paid at least minimum wage for every minute you work, starting with unlocking the door and ending with locking it.

2. Health and safety is everyone's responsibility but the buck should not stop with you if you can prove that you had raised dangerous practices and they had done nothing. So stop just talking to people and confirm everything in writing. However, if you know they have done nothing, you should take it further, either via the organisation's health and safety officer or via the HSE itself.

3. What about your own safety when you are alone in the shop and tidying dangerous areas?

4. For now I recommend that you don't open the doors until you are sure it is safe; that you close the shop if you believe it is in a dangerous state during the day (emailing the depot manager and copying the health and safety officer or HR when you do so), that you claim overtime for all the time spent working outside your normal hours and you talk to the weekday staff about your concerns.

If you would like a chat, please let me know.

 

[UKSBD]

I called in today and it's 100% better

I've still got to get clarification of what we can and can't accept, but a lot happier than I was last time I went there.

Stupid thing is, they will probably sell much more stuff now, and at higher prices too as it is more presentable and you can actually see what's there.

 

[UKSBD]

Great weekend.

The furniture gazebo is now safe and you can see what's in there.

I created an area for putting things I have any doubt over and roped it off.

Set up a donations table outside and banned anyone from just bringing boxes of stuff in to the shop and leaving on the floor and aisles.

Have been a lot stricter on what we accept and not allowing people to leave rejected stuff.

Told the area manager she isn't allowed to leave stuff (rotation products) in places it shouldn't be and if she does I won't open the shop until I have had time to move it.

Everyone saying how much nicer it is, and took twice as much money as last weekend (could be the weather)

I love the job, but probably get the sack soon.

 

[ctrlbrk]

Told the area manager she isn't allowed to leave stuff (rotation products) in places it shouldn't be and if she does I won't open the shop until I have had time to move it.

Everyone saying how much nicer it is, and took twice as much money as last weekend (could be the weather)

I love the job, but probably get the sack soon.

Well done - initiative usually pays off!

 

[UKSBD]

Well done - initiative usually pays off!

Fortunately, I don't need the job so can stand my ground.

It's the people who need these sorts of jobs I feel sorry for, just expected to do what they are told, even though it could cause them problems.