Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Work

Chat with other users about all things related to working life on our Work forum.

Original poster

Would you sign this contract?

38 replies

TheWorstPerson · 17/10/2023 22:43

I've recently started work at a new job, all great, love the job and my colleagues. However, today I received my contract. I noticed a clause in there that says : by signing this contract, you give the company permission to deduct from your wages any loss the company suffers as a result of cash and/or stock shortfall on shifts worked by you.
Because of the nature of the customer base, and the products we sell, the company has a relatively high level of theft by customers, so I immediately reached out to my manager to double check that this clause didn't refer to customer theft, and she replied to say that yes, it does. Further to that, I found out that it's only in newer contracts, and because my colleagues have all been employed there for 3+ years, not only would I be liable, but possibly solely liable! This is a big, well known company, and while I can't see how this can be legal, I also can't imagine that they've put something into an employment contract that isn't legal. What would you do? Sign the contract? Leave immediately? Some other course of action? Im absolutely at a loss.

OP posts:
TheFlis · 17/10/2023 22:44

I would not sign that. You could work a long shift and end up owing them money for it!

Original poster
TheWorstPerson · 17/10/2023 22:48

Well this is my point! The products vary from a few pounds up to almost a thousand pounds, and without being too outing, we're expected to demo the products to customers who want to see them from outside of behind the counter, making it very easy for them to snatch them from my hands and run off!

OP posts:
Original poster
TheWorstPerson · 17/10/2023 22:55

Bump for more opinions

OP posts:
user1846385927482658 · 17/10/2023 23:01

I would not be happy to work with that hanging over my head and I would get myself out of there as fast as I possibly could.

AdoraBell · 17/10/2023 23:02

I wouldn’t want to sign that.

Original poster
TheWorstPerson · 17/10/2023 23:03

This is what I'm thinking. As I'm still in my 12 week probationary period I can just leave with no notice if needed, but I'd be sad, it's not a good job in terms of a career, but it fits well in my life and the people within my store are a fab bunch. Ah well, never mind, onto a job search I go!

OP posts:
YireosDodeAver · 17/10/2023 23:09

Don't sign that. It's wrong for them to expect you to take financial responsibility for events that you are powerless to prevent. Go for a different job with a less evil employer.

Original poster
TheWorstPerson · 17/10/2023 23:10

Thanks for the advice, I was second guessing myself, wondering if this was maybe pretty standard within some businesses.

OP posts:
JamieFrasersBitOnTheSide · 17/10/2023 23:11

I wouldn’t sign it, was there anything mentioned at interview?

AnotherCleftMum · 17/10/2023 23:12

I wouldn't like it either. But it looks like they can take up to 10% of your wage so long as it won't take you below minimum wage.

So perhaps it is fairly standard?

Gothambutnotahamster · 17/10/2023 23:15

I wouldn't sign it either. Look for another job.

Original poster
TheWorstPerson · 17/10/2023 23:16

Nothing mentioned at interview, but it seems my manager didn't know that the contracts had changed. They have gone as far as to say that in my position they wouldnt sign either, which doesn't fill me with the greatest of confidence.

OP posts:
Gothambutnotahamster · 17/10/2023 23:17

Continue working whilst you look for another job but don't sign the contract.

Original poster
TheWorstPerson · 17/10/2023 23:20

Unfortunately they've said I need to sign the contract before I can continue with my shifts (specified in the contract, saying you need to have a signed contract by the beginning of your third working week with the company)

OP posts:
Gothambutnotahamster · 17/10/2023 23:23

If you can afford to, then I wouldnt go back.

Original poster
TheWorstPerson · 17/10/2023 23:25

I can afford to. I think I've got my answer, thank you to everyone who's taken time to reply.

OP posts:
Gothambutnotahamster · 17/10/2023 23:33

Good luck Op as that's a shit way for them to treat anyone.

user1846385927482658 · 17/10/2023 23:35

I hope you land somewhere better next.

fairymary87 · 17/10/2023 23:57

It's a standard thing in most high end retail contracts. I've had many. I've had high end stolen in my shifts etc and as long as you follow company producers they can't dock your wages for it! I've even broken cosmetics etc it's so rare it's ever carried out. Been in the game 15 years never know it happen

Original poster
TheWorstPerson · 18/10/2023 06:41

It's not high end retail. Without being outing about the company, it's very low end retail and the people who use the business are sometimes more likely to be the sort to steal. Also, I don't care if they 'won't' do it. That means nothing to me, the fact that they can means I'll never be able to plan for my wages.

OP posts:
Jantlet · 18/10/2023 06:46

That’s appalling OP. I’m glad you are in a position where you are able to walk away from this nonsense.

SpringGreensPreens · 18/10/2023 06:56

That’s ridiculous, sounds like you’d be liable for any theft by staff members too

PickledPurplePickle · 18/10/2023 06:57

Leave and tell them why

AuntieDolly · 18/10/2023 07:05

Unless they do a stock/till check at the start & end of your shift how are they going to know?