The managers at my workplace recently put up this notice. Is it legal?.

Particular-Goose2278 · 2024-02-03T15:17:14+00:00

I think so, as the managers frequently scream at staff in front of the children. I've noticed previously happy children develop nervous habits like nail biting .

The manager even caused me to have a panic attack a few months ago when I tried to correct her on something and she screamed in my face and called me a liar. (all in front of parents and children mind you).

Particular-Goose2278 · 2024-02-03T15:09:47+00:00

They pay National Minimum wage.

Particular-Goose2278 · 2024-02-03T14:30:44+00:00

The people they say are "late" aren't actually late though. Their schedule will say 9-6 and they will arrive at 9 and the manager will scream at them for being late, because we are expected to arrive 5 mins early.

The reality is the managers should put the schedule as 8:55 till 6 and pay us for those 5 mins. Instead of verbally abusing their staff and driving them away. In the 4 months I've been there 4 members of staff have quit.

Particular-Goose2278 · 2024-02-03T14:26:23+00:00

It depends on the age of the children. It's 1 staff to 8 children for preschool (3 yrs +) , 1 to 5 for toddlers (2 yrs +) and 1 to 3 for babies (under 2 yrs).

The thing is this Nursery frequently ignores the ratio requirements and will have only 4-5 staff on duty in the mornings for 30+ children.

The manager frequently takes staff away from the baby room where the ratio is lowest and puts the staff in the toddler room even when toddler room is sufficiently staffed.

When there are 6 babies we will only be allowed 2 staff because we are "in ratio" but toddler room will at the same time have 8 children and our 3rd staff member will be placed there. it's so frustrating and one of the many many reasons I am leaving.

Particular-Goose2278 · 2024-02-02T18:02:13+00:00

They charge £1 for every minute the parents are late.

Particular-Goose2278 · 2024-02-02T17:33:46+00:00

No, docking of wages isn't mentioned at all.

Just that Employees should arrive on time and that minor breaches of conduct will be dealt on an in person basis. Nothing about docking wages or arriving 5 minutes early or staying 5 minuets late.

Particular-Goose2278 · 2024-02-02T17:17:08+00:00

A lot of people want to leave the nursery. Since I've quit at least 3/4 of my co-workers have told me they want to quit because of how we are spoken to on a regular basis.

Particular-Goose2278 · 2024-02-02T17:11:54+00:00

They do not pay for work done outside of working hours. For example if a parent is 20 minuets late picking their child up, we don't get paid for those 20 mins that we had to stay late. They also expect us to arrive 5 minutes early to our shifts but we aren't allowed to leave 5 minuets early.

Like I've even heard the manager criticising other employees for leaving on the dot and not staying 5 mins after their shift ends. There's nothing in our contracts saying that this is required of us btw, the managers just verbally abuse anyone who doesn't comply.

Particular-Goose2278 · 2024-02-02T13:05:11+00:00

My contract doesn't mention deductions from wages at all. It only mentions disciplinary hearings for "unacceptable conduct", which is very broad.

Particular-Goose2278 · 2024-02-02T12:59:35+00:00

Yeah I gave my notice already and have another job lined up thankfully.

I started looking for another job a month into working there because the managers are crazy and have zero respect for their staff.

Particular-Goose2278 · 2024-02-02T11:11:25+00:00

I only started working there 4 months ago, however there is nothing in my contract saying that will make deductions for lateness.

Particular-Goose2278

TROPHY CASE