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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Argos/Sainsburys - Scrooging bastards!

160 replies

Ruffian · 13/12/2017 17:05

Ds is working at Argos who apparently are now owned by Sainsburys. He gets less than minimum wage due to being 18 despite being expected to everything that an older person would be doing.

He has been put on the rota to work Boxing Day 7 hours. For this he will get time-and-a-half pay so it works out as an extra £20 for coming in on one of the most important public holidays of the year.

AIBU to think this is taking unacceptable advantage? Surely it should be double pay at least??

OP posts:
nancy75 · 13/12/2017 17:06

I’m surprised he is even getting time & a half, most tight bastard retailers now only pay single time for any & all bank holidays

outofmydepth45 · 13/12/2017 17:06

Sounds standard, sucks but standard

Sirzy · 13/12/2017 17:07

Sounds pretty normal and I assume that is what is in his contract?

It’s shit but it life in the retail industry.

Whinesalot · 13/12/2017 17:08

Yep I've know retailers that only pay normal pay.

It does suck.

ALemonyPea · 13/12/2017 17:09

Sounds about right for retailers.

singingdetective · 13/12/2017 17:13

Lucky him, I've worked retail most of my life and have never been paid extra for working holidays, including Boxing Day and New Year's Day.

Awwlookatmybabyspider · 13/12/2017 17:13

It sucks period that those under 21 or is it 25 are expected to exist on less than the minimum wage which in itself is a joke.
I wouldn't mind if theyou didn't have to do as much work.
It should be out lawed

BearSoFair · 13/12/2017 17:17

Pretty standard. Welcome to retail!

I work for a major high st chain as well, also paying minimum wage for every age bracket, except we don't get time and a half for bank holidays. So it could be worse! It is a pain though, especially for the younger staff who have the exact same responsibilities but get paid a lot less.

dontquotem3 · 13/12/2017 17:20

I have just resigned this past week.

RaspberryRipple63 · 13/12/2017 17:26

When I used to work in an off licence about 16 years ago,I was the only one willing to work New Year's Day as it meant I'd get Boxing Day off. I got paid the standard rate,despite it being a bank holiday,not double time or even time and a half tight bastards

Original poster
Ruffian · 13/12/2017 17:27

Why are they allowed to get away with this shit? The whole point of bank holidays was that they are exceptions and therefore should be paid as such.

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 13/12/2017 17:29

A lot of places just lump bank holidays in with holiday entitlement and they are treated like any other holiday. Dh doesn't get paid extra and if he wants a bank holiday off he has to book it off.

dementedpixie · 13/12/2017 17:30

There is no legal entitlement to get paid extra for them

stickytoffeevodka · 13/12/2017 17:31

They're not an exception in retail. People expect shops to be open everyday therefore they need to be staffed everyday.

He's lucky to get time and a half - most retailers don't pay any extra for bank holidays.

Ecureuil · 13/12/2017 17:33

I worked in retail when I was a student. Once worked Christmas Eve, Boxing Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day for not a single penny extra.

crazycatgal · 13/12/2017 17:33

I used to get normal pay on boxing day, new years day etc when I worked in retail.

Blackteadrinker77 · 13/12/2017 17:37

Are you sure he is getting time and a half?

That is unheard of in retail these days.

Hassled · 13/12/2017 17:37

Years and years ago (the 80s) I worked in a shop during University holidays and things like New Year's Day were triple pay. Times have certainly changed - I can't believe some places just pay standard wages for bank holidays etc.

PyongyangKipperbang · 13/12/2017 17:38

Is he on a 0 hours contract? If so remind him that it goes both ways......

www.acas.org.uk/index.aspx?articleid=4469

DubaiismyBlackpool · 13/12/2017 17:38

Its pretty good to get time and a half, most don't get any extra.

My XH used to work as a security guard, the only 'extra' he ever received was a turkey at Christmas. Not a particularly nice or big one. And he worked 12 hour shifts for minimum wage.

Original poster
Ruffian · 13/12/2017 17:39

Presumably it's the lack of a union. I worked numerous bank holidays when I was with Royal Mail, we got double-time as standard.

OP posts:
BearSoFair · 13/12/2017 17:40

They're normal trading days in retail, particularly larger companies. It's probably in his contract that he has to work a set amount and book ones he wants off out of his holiday allowance. Where I am we all have to do at least half of them over the course of a year.

Original poster
Ruffian · 13/12/2017 17:40

He's not on a 0 hour - they've tinkered with their contracts so they can't be accused of giving 0 hours, instead they give 6 hours. Excellent. Hmm

OP posts:
OliviaStabler · 13/12/2017 17:41

The whole point of bank holidays was that they are exceptions and therefore should be paid as such

Not anymore. Now the Minimum Wage has and will be hiked so high, retailers must balance those pay costs versus profits. In the future, I bet no prime days are paid for with any premium.

RunningOutOfCharge · 13/12/2017 17:43

Did he sign his contract agreeing to 6 hours? Bank holidays? His rate of pay?