Organizing Workers
I’m work as an unloader for a big warehouse company. This month supervisors started a new break policy where each employee would be assigned individual break times instead of taking group breaks. Supervisors are supposed to verbally tell us when to take a break but my supervisors has been forgetting to tell me when to take a break. Twice this week I had to hunt him down to tell him that I haven’t had a break. Yesterday another supervisor yelled at me for leaving my area and told me the next time he catches me walking the floor I’m going to get written up. I told my supervisors what happened and he just laughs. I’m so sick of this…. I’m not the only one having this problem either. Some of us talked about going to upper management as a group to complain but we can’t get the whole team to commit because the others fear losing their jobs. Has anyone ever tried organizing a group to express a concern to management before? Is this a good idea or should we approach management individually?
Very bizzare. Sounds like middle management is in need of training. That being said :
Always go to your manager first, his manager second, and so on. Give each a few days to rectify situation. Document each time
If they fire anyone for complaints, that sounds like a legal case, I'm not a lawyer, but consult one if it happens
By law (again not a lawyer), you are entitled to a break every four hours I believe
Every one affected should go to HR separately, gang complaints are lost in the noise, UNLESS you choose ONE PERSON to speak for everyone. In that case, The others must sit quietly.
Lastly, and I know it's a pain, document each time this and other infractions happen to all of you. Date, time, person, manager, incident. If you're going to hr, go with documented info! Choose one person as "Document keeper"
You've got a computer in your hand (Cell phone). Document
One more thing. No ad-hominem attacks. "He's an idiot, she's so mean, they are lazy" etc. . Just the facts!
Document, document, document!
Nathaniel...I've been thinking about your post. Since all this is new in terms of the Supervisors having a new procedure to cover breaks, maybe they just need to have a little time to get better at this. Maybe they are finding snags in trying to do this new way of breaks. I'm sure you are frustrated and it is not fair to be denied breaks or to have to wait an undue amount of time. Instead of creating a fuss, what about starting with a more friendly approach? Ask you sup if it is possible to get your breaks assigned earlier in the shift? Just ask. See how others are getting their breaks...is there a system as to who gets a certain time? Find out more about it and then make a polite suggestion as if you sympathize with them having a hard time with the new system. As opposed to a complaint, you don't alienate yourself and you are presenting yourself in a positive light. Maybe you can come up with a system that would be fair and work better than what they are currently doing? If you show initiative in solving a problem you will be noticed in a positive way. One place I worked had us sign up for breaks in slots that are pre-timed on a sign up sheet. Maybe they can have half the workers take their breaks at one time, and the other half at another time...staggering the break times. Just some thoughts...
Yeah Nate, I agree with Patricia. Tread Very Carefully down that road. Some places could fire you for even talking about organizing. Going the individual route first is probably safest bet but then again I don't have any previous experience.
Wow! My first thought was that as a group, you would have more leverage. However, it concerns me that they may get paranoid that you are trying to Unionize! I hope someone gives you good advice. I sympathize with you. Sounds frustrating. Have other workers experienced the same thing?
Frank is Right, Document everything! Also, if you complain, upper Management cannot give out your name to the supervisor as the complaintant. That's work laws. If they do consult a lawyer immediately. That will set you up for Reprisal.