Wee row breaks out over loo clocking off

Published on Thursday 26 June 2008 22:34

A MEAT firm supplying the UK's biggest supermarket retailer has been accused of "Dickensian employment practices" by insisting employees clock off when they want to use the toilet.

The Unite union is calling on Tesco to intervene to stamp out the practice at Brown Brothers' factories at Kirkconnell in Dumfries-shire and Fenton Barns, East Lothian.

One worker said in one week employers had deducted 5.28 – an hour's pay – from his wage packet for toilet breaks.

He said: "The motto among the staff here is: "Have a break – have a quick ****."

Another worker reported that around ten minutes was lost on each trip to the toilet through having to remove protective clothing, including boots, overalls, and hair nets.

The union says the practice has been in operation for the past eight years since workers agreed to give up lunch and tea breaks for increased pay – but that the "clocking off" toilet breaks was imposed by management without agreement.

Tony Woodley, Unite joint general-secretary, said: "It's outrageous that in 2008 workers should have to endure the indignity of clocking out for toilet breaks, which we believe invade their privacy."

Unite called on Tesco to ensure decent employment standards within its supply chain.

Mr Woodley added: "Tesco must do everything in its power to investigate these practices and put an end to them."

Unite was due to make two "golden toilet" awards today at ceremonies near the Kirkconnell plant and at Tesco's supermarket in Haddington, which is close to its East Lothian plant.

Rozanne Foyer, senior regional officer for Unite Scotland, said the company was guilty of indirect discrimination against women. She said: "The company has told women to get a doctor's line if they are having a period to be excused from this system but this is completely degrading and no women has done this.

"Research has also shown that women go more frequently and take longer than men."

Brown Brothers' managing director, Martin Godfrey, agreed that staff were not paid for toilet breaks, but said it was part of special pay deal agreed with the workers and union to ensure the smooth running of the production line.

Unscheduled toilet breaks could cause significant disruption, especially as staff wore protective clothes, he said.

"Is it not better to come up with a deal to discourage that from happening?".

A spokesman for Tesco, said: "We take the issue of labour standards extremely seriously and require all of our suppliers to make strict independently audited criteria."