NationStates Jolt Archive

Recently some workplace issues have come up at a particular branch of my employer (Employer X). Here's a letter I'm working up to send head office. I'm being advised by the serious heavy lifting labor law types at the union, but just for shits and grins, I thought I'd submit it for the persusal and comment of NSG....

(The names and locations have been changed, as should be obvious on reading the letter. And a note regarding the "X type lessons" - I have no objection to teaching them, but generally I find the shifts consisting of only those are unpleasant. That should help clarify the comments regarding the two shifts.)

Hello

On two days a week, I have been assigned to work at (Unhappy branch). Over the last year certain concerns regarding workplace safety and health have come up. Recently these concerns have been compounded by certain policy changes, as well as an added an element of a hostile workplace environment.

Health risks include:
The recurring storage of garbage in the teacher's area in such a manner as to constitute a health hazard.
Orders from the management that teachers are not to use bathroom facilities that are reasonably available, and are instead to use bathroom facilities that are not accessible within the allotted time for such usage.

Safety risks include:
The recurring use of the teachers space as a storage area in such a manner as to constitute a fire hazard.
Orders from the management that teachers are to enter and exit the building via an employee's entrance that is insecure and unsafe.

Hostile workplace include:
Harassment and intimidation from the owners of the building, which (Employer X) has not protected employees from.
A hostile working environment resulting from the management's bad faith collective bargaining agreement (namely harassment over dress code issues).
Hostility from the staff of the branch as a result of requests that the above health and safety issues be addressed.

Additionally, I am concerned that the time allotted for me to move from (Unhappy branch) to (Happy branch) on Monday evening is insufficient to allow me to properly complete my duties there in time to arrive at (Unhappy Branch). Furthermore, I have previously requested on two occasions that I not bee assigned to a shift of only (X type lessons).

As a result, and in the interest of all concerned, I would like to make the following two requests.

First, I would like to request that the latter portion of my Monday shift to be assigned as (X type lessons) at (Happy branch) instead of at (Unhappy branch).

Secondly, as soon as it is feasible, I would like to request a reassignment for my Friday shift to a regular shift at another branch, preferably one that does not consist of only (X type lessons).

I sincerely hope we can work together to address these concerns. Thank you.

(Daistallia 2104)

So have at it and rip it up. (Or question it or ridicule it or whatever.)

Looks well-written, though I might ask, why have the conditions become unfavourable? What in the policy has fostered that change?

Apart from a 'bee' instead of 'be' it's pretty good and concise. Just what I think you need.

I say you buy a pitchfork, and gather a mob of angry employees, and burn something!

provide pics of the garbage and other items stored in the teacher's area.

Looks well-written, though I might ask, why have the conditions become unfavourable? What in the policy has fostered that change?

It's always been an rather unhappy branch. The recent changes were mentioned in the letter:
Orders from the management that teachers are not to use bathroom facilities that are reasonably available, and are instead to use bathroom facilities that are not accessible within the allotted time for such usage.

Orders from the management that teachers are to enter and exit the building via an employee's entrance that is insecure and unsafe.

Harassment and intimidation from the owners of the building, which (Employer X) has not protected employees from.

A hostile working environment resulting from the management's bad faith collective bargaining agreement (namely harassment over dress code issues).

The dress code issue was supposedly settled in a collectivcebargaining session earlier this year. But on the day the changes were to come into effect (two weeks ago), I was harrassed for not dressing according to a set of rules the union was told twice were voluntary.

About a week and a half ago, the building owners ordered the branch to use the "staff" elevators instead of the regular elevators we've been using since the branch moved into the building. When I went to use the "staff" elevator, I found it in an isolated area with no security at all. And the main entry point, which is supposed to be secure, had no gaurd at the post. (And that's not to mention the entry points on each floor which are unsecured.) The building is part of a major junction train station, but the area is run down and frequented by some rather questionable types. And the main entry point comes out in a poorly lit area full of clutter. I know several teachers who are quite afraid to be using it.

Last Friday the toilets policy was announced. The branch is on the 7th floor, the "staff toilets" are on the 5th, and we're supposed to take the very slow staff elevator (clocked at 7 minutes from 1st to 7th floor one day) down and back up during the 10 minutes we have between classes and still be able to use the toilets. Again, this is through the isolated area of the building with questionable security.

This week, the building owners have posted security goons at the regular entrances to ensure we were following orders. At one point they were stopping everyone entering the building asking if they were employees of my company...

Thanks, Newer Burmecia. Where would I bee without the like of you? ;)

I say you buy a pitchfork, and gather a mob of angry employees, and burn something!

I've been tempted, let me tell you...

provide pics of the garbage and other items stored in the teacher's area.

Such documentation has already been forwarded to the union, as well as documentaion of the empty security post and the goons.

I want to work at (Happy Branch) too! It sounds (fun)!

EDIT: Something weird about this sentence: Recently these concerns have been compounded by certain policy changes, as well as an added an element of a hostile workplace environment

That bolded part is a bit confusing.

Bzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz


Additionally, I am concerned that the time allotted for me to move from (Unhappy branch) to (Happy branch) on Monday evening is insufficient to allow me to properly complete my duties there in time to arrive at (Unhappy Branch). Furthermore, I have previously requested on two occasions that I not bee assigned to a shift of only (X type lessons).

The itilicized sentence should end in happy branch, no?

I want to work at (Happy Branch) too! It sounds (fun)!

It is fun. I like my job a lot. If I never had to go to (Unhappy branch) again, I'd be... well, very happy. :)

Out of the four branches I go to in the week, I'm very happy to go to the other three. (That's including the one that's over an hour commute. That I'd rather commute to said branch rather than Unnhappy branch - about a 20 minute commute should speak volumes.)


EDIT: Something weird about this sentence: Recently these concerns have been compounded by certain policy changes, as well as an added an element of a hostile workplace environment

That bolded part is a bit confusing.

OK thanks. Let me think about a rewording.

The itilicized sentence should end in happy branch, no?

Actually no - in changing the names, I reversed Happy and Unhappy in the first part.

If we're being nitpicky then...

garbage in the teachers' area
use of the teachers' space
via an employees' entrance

Such documentation has already been forwarded to the union, as well as documentaion of the empty security post and the goons.
but updated pics (say with a newspaper in side to date it) would show that nothing's been done as of yet. ;)

Thanks for the help guys. Actually, almost every bit of advice has gone into versions 2.2, 2.3, and the possibly soon to come 2.4. (2.3 came mostly from your suggestions, 2.3 was union suggestions, and 2.4 may include certain changes that happened today after my union meeting. Suffice it to say that 2.4 may include a further charge of unfair labor practices. Sorry, but even J labor law does not allow you to single out and target an individual for being a union member!)

Sounds like the management has a problem with anal retention.