[Satay chicken]

Just wondering if anyone has had experience with this or might have some knowledge as to what we are dealing with here!

So, my husband has been employed by a small / medium company (110) people for just on 5 years. The company recently lost a large client and so a considerable amount of takings - this is more the owners management of the company, of course, rather than the people who work for them.

Since this happened - DH has had two pay cuts, so we are down $200 per week, his hours and conditions have not changed. Anyway, this morning, DH accidently left a bag on top of the roof of his truck, after realising drove back only to find the bag gone and the $1100 he had in it. Company now wants us to pay the money back. Thing is, doesn't a company have insurance for this kind of thing when money is in transit? They are requiring us to pay them back in cash rather than take it out of his pay which sounds strange to me.

Also, one of his colleagues was told he had to work an extra hour in the afternoons which means he now cannot get to his children on time. The company said he will just have to pay for after school care and that it his problem. A co-owner actually called up the school where his children go to ask how much he would be out of pocket for after school care and even went back to him to say it wasn't that much and should just deal with it...

It seems this one particular co-owner is causing issues - everyone hates her and has had problems with unreasonable requests. I've said to DH that he should get a few of the guys he works with together to try and sort this out but they are worried about losing their jobs - that in itself is a sign they are being bullied..

Thoughts?

[Saecularis Angel...]

I don't know about the bullying thing, others here will be able to say more than me.

What stuck out to me was that your DH was handling money on his own. Everywhere I've ever worked, that's been an enormous no-no...always, always, always two people with money, for the protection of the workers as well as the employer. I wonder if the employer thinks your DH stole the money and used the "lost bag" as an excuse?

[MakeLoveNotBacon]

How can they cut his pay without less hours? Did he agree to the pay cut? $200/week is quite significant.

[qak]

I don't think it is bullying as such, but think the actions are illegal (ie requireing repayment by DH, the pay cuts). The extra hour I am not sure about as it may be "reasonable".

I would be calling Fair Work Australia for a chat about the issues.

[adl]

Not under the bullying head as such from what you have posted but the change in pay and hours may be an issue under FWA and the minimum requirements , I dont belive they can arbitarily cut pay for the same hours and conditions without consultation could be considered as an unfair dismissal claim in that they are forcing people to leave.

Also money in transit is covered by insurance and is not replaced by cash - thats sounds dodgy, and I use to handle loads in my handbag and in different currencies. yes best practice is two employees but in small businesses that is not always feasible and practical.

Also the same with flexible family working conditions - under FWA, cannot just change
( also would be havign an issue with a school discussing my personal business with others - employer has no right to do that)

I suggest if no HR, ring FWA hotline and ask for assistance , is there a Union covering this work? Get them in to speak to management or basically instigate a formal process

This post has been edited by adl: 31/01/2013, 10:10 AM

[mpjp]

Not bullying but definitely are issues there.

Companies CAN cut pay (usually by agreement unless there are provisions in industrial agreements etc).

But money handling on his own is a practise virtually unheard of. And yes insurances should cover the loss - if they have the corerct insurance.

Just a question as teh repayment thing is interesting....there is no accusation of theft is there?

[erindiv]

I don't think it is bullying as such, but think the actions are illegal (ie requireing repayment by DH, the pay cuts). The extra hour I am not sure about as it may be "reasonable".

I would be calling Fair Work Australia for a chat about the issues.

This.

I'm also very surprised at the idea of your DH handling money, especially such a large amount, alone. At one of my jobs that required handling money it was a two-person job.

The company might be snarky because they may suspect your DH stole the money as a comebac for the pay cuts. Not suggesting for a second that this is what he did, but if they've had people complaining about the pay cuts it's a conclusion they could jump too.

$200 a week is a big cut. How was he convinced to do that? The whole company sounds a bit unethical to me. I wouldn't call it bullying but it doesn't sound right at all.

[Bacongirl]

Does your DH normally do the banking? In our company loss of money can be a sackable offence. The onus will be on your DH to prove he lost it. We employ mostly male staff and they do the banking on their own however, the females have the option of taking someone with them if they feel the need. There is insurance, but it is usually for robbery, not 'Loss" by an employee.

If your company can not deduct the $1100 loss over a few pays and are demanding cash - it raises alarm bells that they have a major cash flow issue Especially combined with pay cuts

Did your DH agree to the pay cuts? Were they across all the staff or just a few?

As to the manager ringing the other employee's school, that is just stepping over the line!


Personally I'd be having my DH look for a new job. This company sounds like they are in trouble.

[Satay chicken]

Thank you! I agree it sounds very dodgy..

Re the cash, DH handles sometimes up to $10,000 cash at once, its collected at different locations throughout the day, he then takes it back to work the following morning. We were just "lucky" on this occasion is was a smaller amount. He's lodged the loss with the Police, not something you would do if you had stolen the money - the company is aware of this.

His pay cuts came with a phone call (from this woman) - she left us waiting around for 2 months wondering what was going to happen to him. She then told him his pay would be cut, they did write a new contract but gave no warning the cut was coming. I think they might have had to give a minimum of two weeks...??

Anyway, I will get him to call FWA to check.... I feel so bad for him, he's just so upset today..

[Bacongirl]

Thank you! I agree it sounds very dodgy..

Re the cash, DH handles sometimes up to $10,000 cash at once, its collected at different locations throughout the day, he then takes it back to work the following morning. We were just "lucky" on this occasion is was a smaller amount. He's lodged the loss with the Police, not something you would do if you had stolen the money - the company is aware of this.

WOW that is a lot of money for your DH to be responsible overnight. Could he not express bank it during the day?