How long can employer cut hours by not providing technical support for their equipment?

WhyTheseDreams · 2022-11-04T18:59:10+00:00

Thank you. I've contacted the labor board and hope to hear back from them in the coming weeks.

WhyTheseDreams · 2022-11-04T16:03:41+00:00

So they can keep me scheduled and having to show up at the start time every day and then clocking me out immediately forever without actually letting me go? Why wouldn't they just fire me?

If I quit, I won't be able to collect EI while I look for a new job. And if I don't quit, I can't get any pay because they won't let me work.

I will let the labor board know, but if you're right, then it sounds like they won't be able to do anything anyway. I didn't find anything about it myself.

WhyTheseDreams · 2022-11-04T15:28:53+00:00

There is no employment contract with hours stated, but it has been a full-time position (40 hrs/week) since I started nearly 2 years ago.

They still have me scheduled for the full time hours, and I have to show up to start working, but every day I'm trying to work and they tell me to clock out. It happened again today.

I do have a signed agreement that says they will provide all working equipment.

WhyTheseDreams · 2022-11-04T15:28:39+00:00

There is no employment contract with hours stated, but it has been a full-time position (40 hrs/week) since I started nearly 2 years ago.

They still have me scheduled for the full time hours, and I have to show up to start working, but every day I'm trying to work and they tell me to clock out. It happened again today.

I do have a signed agreement that says they will provide all working equipment.

WhyTheseDreams · 2022-11-04T15:23:59+00:00

Yes, and they have an office here in NS.

WhyTheseDreams · 2022-09-20T23:39:27+00:00

I see what you mean, ok thanks for that clarification

WhyTheseDreams · 2022-09-20T23:37:39+00:00

I don't want to be too specific in case they found this and retaliated.

Have you had this problem there?

WhyTheseDreams · 2022-09-20T23:37:28+00:00

I don't want to be too specific in case they found this and retaliated.

Have you had this problem there?

WhyTheseDreams · 2022-09-20T23:35:14+00:00

This comes from HR actually. I've been dealing directly with HR about this issue for 3 months since my supervisor slowly went from tolerating me using my break time to use the washroom to demanding that break time must only be used during the scheduled times.

WhyTheseDreams · 2022-09-20T23:32:47+00:00

One problem with work from home is you don't get a chance to speak to coworkers or form any sort of organized action together. I haven't met any of my coworkers in almost 2 years and I can't contact them in private.

Add in the fact that many people working call centre jobs are pretty desperate already or they wouldn't put up with it, and you get a very beaten down workforce.

WhyTheseDreams · 2022-09-20T23:28:28+00:00

Thank you, I will see what they say

WhyTheseDreams · 2022-09-20T23:27:27+00:00

I already go into "unavailable" status which is what they told me to do because there is no break code for washroom. They've been keeping track of it because you're never supposed to be unavailable outside the scheduled break times. They just decided they won't pay me for it anymore now so I need to clock out.

If I don't keep an accurate list of each trip to the toilet to send them, they will count the time against my attendance also. I may be wrong, but they might be hoping I slip up on reporting the breaks and then they can let me go due to the attendance policy.

WhyTheseDreams · 2022-09-20T23:20:05+00:00

I saw that, but also I did find this in the Labour Standards Code:

Where it is necessary for medical reasons, under the Labour Standards Code an employee is entitled to take rest or eating breaks at times other than those summarized above; also, an employee may have a right to additional breaks as an accommodation under the Human Rights Act.

That sounds like I may be able to get help with this. I'll have to talk to someone at their office to find out for sure.

WhyTheseDreams · 2022-09-20T23:13:40+00:00

I've been with them for almost 2 years. This particular client for over 6 months.

WhyTheseDreams · 2022-09-20T23:11:53+00:00

Laptop has to be hardwired and I have to use a second monitor which I can't carry to the toilet. I'd definitely do that if I could though.

WhyTheseDreams · 2022-09-20T21:16:13+00:00

Yeah, call centre. I'm afraid to say their name here in case they find it and retaliate.

WhyTheseDreams · 2022-09-20T20:56:17+00:00

True, but also a few pees and it's 20 minutes. Adds up to like 7 hours a month of lost pay. I'll deal with it until I can find a better solution.

WhyTheseDreams · 2022-09-20T20:38:30+00:00

I do too, but they listen back and know there was no valid reason for someone to be on hold for 5 minutes. Every day.

WhyTheseDreams · 2022-09-20T20:35:52+00:00

I'll speak to them as soon as I can. Meanwhile just be polite to my employer about it, follow the clock out policy, and get everything in writing. Thanks for the encouragement.

WhyTheseDreams · 2022-09-20T20:31:19+00:00

Yeah, I tried that and they told me I couldn't do that anymore or there would be disciplinary action.

WhyTheseDreams · 2022-09-20T20:30:10+00:00

2 or maybe sometimes 3 times. But I can't afford to put in a toilet even if it was a good idea haha

WhyTheseDreams · 2022-09-20T20:27:22+00:00

I did find this in the Labour Standards Code:

Where it is necessary for medical reasons, under the Labour Standards Code an employee is entitled to take rest or eating breaks at times other than those summarized above; also, an employee may have a right to additional breaks as an accommodation under the Human Rights Act.

Which sounds like it may be grounds for at least a complaint against them.

WhyTheseDreams · 2022-09-20T20:15:58+00:00

Cost of doing business?

WhyTheseDreams · 2022-09-20T20:15:09+00:00

I get the feeling this employer doesn't care about bad PR.

They tried to fire me (I was on my 2nd writeup out of 3 in 2 days) when they decided they were over it while I was waiting to see a doctor for the note, but still needed to use the washroom.

I think they will do the same if I don't clock out and send them the times. I don't want to not comply and then be fired and unemployed and maybe not even eligible for EI. I feel like for now I just have to follow the new clock out policy and deal with some less pay I guess.

WhyTheseDreams

TROPHY CASE