GolfGTIforum.co.uk

General => General discussion => Topic started by: opel on 13 August 2012, 20:36

Title: bit of advise
Post by: opel on 13 August 2012, 20:36
Im after some advice from anyone that might know h r rules. basically i work for a company that has recent been taken over by a bigger company. basically there over 70 mechanics that were all paid the same wage regardless how long u been there. basically we get training on certain parts of or jobs IE tail-lift lolers. having recently asked for more money for doing extra training they said no so i said what if i dont do the courses but still carry out what i am hired to do. the response was we pay u to be a technician and any reasonable request we make for you to do a course we will make and if u say no to taking on the extra responsibility we will disciplining you. now the wont me to do a drivers course were you have to sign a contract to stay for 2 years and pay money back if i leave. but im looking for enough job already so were do i stand :undecided:
Title: Re: bit of advise
Post by: The Mighty Elvi on 13 August 2012, 20:50
Well, where do I start.

You need to look at your contract of employment.  It is standard practice where they ask you to sign a waiver to pay back a course fee, if that qualification is recognised as an industry standard and would allow you to work elsewhere.

Look at it from their point of view.  They stump up a few grand to give you additional skills and then you leave to join a competitor. So the pay pack if you leave within 2 years sounds reasonable.

Title: Re: bit of advise
Post by: opel on 13 August 2012, 21:03
i am more mad about were all paid the same and only a few of us keep getting the courses with extra work yet still paid the same as a bloke who doesn't have to do alot. and it i say no to the course they will displine me well that doesn't seem right
Title: Re: bit of advise
Post by: grayboots on 13 August 2012, 21:06
It sounds like youve made your mind up already by looking for another job .
 Working in a big company is so different from a small business. If they have 70 mechanics working there im pretty sure they wont be too keen on making an exception for you. It seems very personal to you but to them you are just one mechanic in 70..... sorry.
Title: Re: bit of advise
Post by: opel on 13 August 2012, 21:10
we all been told we will be disciplined if we say no to do any courses they see fit to send us on even if it does me more then just being a mechanic as in being able to sign loler certificates
Title: Re: bit of advise
Post by: Gavv8 on 13 August 2012, 21:13
Well, where do I start.

You need to look at your contract of employment.  It is standard practice where they ask you to sign a waiver to pay back a course fee, if that qualification is recognised as an industry standard and would allow you to work elsewhere.

Look at it from their point of view.  They stump up a few grand to give you additional skills and then you leave to join a competitor. So the pay pack if you leave within 2 years sounds reasonable.


This is standard practice in the haulage industry, our company puts us through ADR and CPC training and does expect a certain amount of loyalty in return although i'm not sure where we stand on the legalities, they used to run a driver training program where they put people through their hgv test and then gave them a job but they had to sign a 2 year contract and the rumour was that they did chase down a few drivers who took the training and then left.
Title: Re: bit of advise
Post by: opel on 13 August 2012, 21:16
the licence it only a ploy to keep me there as they cant get mechanics at the money there paying im more angry they wont to displine u for not wont to take extra responbility when were all paid the same so we all should do the same and be qualified the same
Title: Re: bit of advise
Post by: Gavv8 on 13 August 2012, 21:18
I'd be suprised if they can legally discipline you without a genuine case of misconduct.
Title: Re: bit of advise
Post by: opel on 13 August 2012, 21:22
is it gross misconduct not being more qualified then the bloke stood next to me who on the same wages i didn't think it is
Title: Re: bit of advise
Post by: Jay on 13 August 2012, 21:24
Do the courses, work the two years. That's 2 years more experience WITH the qualifications behind you, get a better paying job else where in two years time.

Or just point out there may be some other mech's that hadn't had the opportunity to get the training and perhaps it would be in both of their best interests to send them on a course instead of your good self.

As with all jobs there is always a degree of politics you need to be able to deal with, this sounds like a good opportunity for you to learn some new bollotics skills, maybe they could send you on a course?  :evil:
Title: Re: bit of advise
Post by: opel on 13 August 2012, 21:27
lol im trying to get out before 2 years as the other company round here are paying more about 7 grand in total just on basic salary. it only a bus license and i dont wont to drive kids about and ive already done my 2 years for my class 2
Title: Re: bit of advise
Post by: justalex81 on 13 August 2012, 21:33
lol im trying to get out before 2 years as the other company round here are paying more about 7 grand in total just on basic salary. it only a bus license and i dont wont to drive kids about and ive already done my 2 years for my class 2

well stop moaning and do one then!  :lipsrsealed:
Title: Re: bit of advise
Post by: Gavv8 on 13 August 2012, 21:38
To quote from the movie desperado...if your gonna stay..stay....if your gonna go....go.
Title: Re: bit of advise
Post by: opel on 13 August 2012, 21:47
lol i am trying to go but these things take time to get moved that why i dont wont to sign in for 2 years when im trying to get out and i dont wont a displine on my record for not wonting to do it
Title: Re: bit of advise
Post by: justalex81 on 13 August 2012, 21:56
lol i am trying to go but these things take time to get moved that why i dont wont to sign in for 2 years when im trying to get out and i dont wont a displine on my record for not wonting to do it

if you're leaving just take the disciplinary. they can only issue it once. beside i think it's just a threat anyway.
Title: Re: bit of advise
Post by: raferackstraw on 14 August 2012, 09:08
when the company got taken over did the employees not get a TUPE agreement on your new terms of employment? if not then the new management are making a 'reasonable request' of their employee.
if the competitor is paying 7k more then go to them.
Title: Re: bit of advise
Post by: opel on 14 August 2012, 21:32
no tupe as we were brought out straight so we just carried on. i am moving but it takes time with interviews and notice
Title: Re: bit of advise
Post by: Steve_PD on 14 August 2012, 22:25
Have you checked in your contract? My company cant discipline me if I refuse to do training as its not written in my contract that I have to accept all training course.
Title: Re: bit of advise
Post by: opel on 15 August 2012, 17:59
ill have to check to see how it worded
Title: Re: bit of advise
Post by: Ant1981 on 17 August 2012, 12:09
They don't have to pay you anything on top of salary for you to attend a course, apart from any expenses you have genuinely incurred that you otherwise wouldn't incur.

However, it isn't reasonable for the company to ask you to pay back any course fees if you leave, because it is a fait accompli - they have requested you do the courses, it isn't an option.

If you'd have asked for the company to pay for a course, then it would be reasonable for you to pay a return fee upon leaving after a short space of time.