Workplace complaint (advice wanted, please)

[king_hellfire]

Do I have a case for putting in a complaint or, as I suspect, do I just have to grin and bear it?


A bit (a lot, as it turns out! ) of background info:


I’ve been working in a warehouse for the past 15 years and during that time we’ve been transferred to new warehouses as-and-when we’ve gained additional contracts. Each new contract we’ve had has kept us very busy, which is how I prefer it to be, however, 3 years ago we lost our contract so a few of us were transferred to the warehouse where I originally started out. There’s not much work on there and I’m one of the few people that can drive a specific truck because they don’t tend to train many people up. I prefer to be kept busy so I’ve been asking to be refreshed/trained on various other jobs in the warehouse, even just to serve as cover for when people are on holiday etc., but to no avail (There’s no one to cover my job whilst training)

Also, I’m wanting to do a job now that requires using the old grey-matter, driving trucks becomes very mind-numbing, so over the past 3 years I’ve been applying for office jobs within the warehouse (stock control, admin, data analyst etc.) without even a sniff of an interview.

To try and cut this story short I’ll just say that, with my interactions amongst the office staff over the past 3 years, I’d say I was more than capable of doing each-and-every one of their jobs as good as, if not better, than them. They’re really not the brightest.


Anyhoo, my main grumble...

We’re always having new agency staff starting virtually every week due to people not sticking around. There’s a young couple (both in their late teens) who are working here as pickers and have only been here for 3 months. Yesterday the office manager went up to the lad and said “We need someone for admin, either you or your girlfriend can have the job, just decide amongst yourselves.”

And just like that the lad’s got an admin job without any inquiries into his previous experience or whether he’s suitable for the position.

I can only assume that they specifically needed an agency worker in there, regardless of whether they were up to the job or not.

It’s wound a lot of people up here who have been trying to get office jobs, as well.

So, complain, or grin and bear it?

 

[HarryVegas]

I don't know about complaining, but I would definitely ask to see the manager, sit down and spell out your desire and ability to diversify. Present yourself and your case in a serious manner and don't let yourself appear to be just moaning.

Do you have an appraisal system?

 

[rkangel]

I don't know about complaining, but I would definitely ask to see the manager, sit down and spell out your desire and ability to diversify. Present yourself and your case in a serious manner and don't let yourself appear to be just moaning.

Do you have an appraisal system?

Just what I was about to reply. Envious of the speed of Harry.

 

[Boroproud]

Is the agency Lad covering the admin job short term ?
Are you in a union?
If so and you feel aggrieved put in a grievance through them. That's what you pay your fees for.

 

[1finny]

I don't know about complaining, but I would definitely ask to see the manager, sit down and spell out your desire and ability to diversify. Present yourself and your case in a serious manner and don't let yourself appear to be just moaning.

Do you have an appraisal system?

It’s a rather strange recruitment process to say the least.
Do they know you want to go into admin?

As above, organise to see someone who makes these kinds of decisions
Not sure what basis, if any, you have for a grievance. Depends on your contract. Also, in some organisations, once you start that route your card is marked. Given what you said I’d be worried about winding people up.
You will prob know best tho

 

[king_hellfire]

Is the agency Lad covering the admin job short term ?
Are you in a union?
If so and you feel aggrieved put in a grievance through them. That's what you pay your fees for.

It’s a long term job. I’m in a union but the rep isn’t the greatest and just shrugs things off if he doesn’t know what’s what. I suppose I could contact their head office

 

[king_hellfire]

I don't know about complaining, but I would definitely ask to see the manager, sit down and spell out your desire and ability to diversify. Present yourself and your case in a serious manner and don't let yourself appear to be just moaning.

Do you have an appraisal system?

Good advice, mate. I’d better wait until I’ve calmed down a bit first

We’re supposed to have appraisals once a year but it’s been at least 4 years since our last one.

 

[Randy]

UNION!

 

[king_hellfire]

It’s a rather strange recruitment process to say the least.
Do they know you want to go into admin?

As above, organise to see someone who makes these kinds of decisions
Not sure what basis, if any, you have for a grievance. Depends on your contract. Also, in some organisations, once you start that route your card is marked. Given what you said I’d be worried about winding people up.
You will prob know best tho

Thanks for the advice, 1finny,

The managers here really are amateurs, which is a worry because I work for a massive globally well-known Company.

I’ll look at my contract and see what’s what.

I’m not too worried about them marking my cards cos they are genuinely clueless and will have forgotten about it in a month-or-so. Plus, warehouse jobs are ten a penny round here. I’m also gonna apply to do a maths GCSE for starters, followed by a GCSE English course to try and make my CV look a bit more appealing to any future employers.

 

[1finny]

Thanks for the advice, 1finny,

The managers here really are amateurs, which is a worry because I work for a massive globally well-known Company.

I’ll look at my contract and see what’s what.

I’m not too worried about them marking my cards cos they are genuinely clueless and will have forgotten about it in a month-or-so. Plus, warehouse jobs are ten a penny round here. I’m also gonna apply to do a maths GCSE for starters, followed by a GCSE English course to try and make my CV look a bit more appealing to any future employers.

Good luck fella
Great to crack on and do some more learning too.

 

[king_hellfire]

Good luck fella
Great to crack on and do some more learning too.

Thanks, mate

 

[DCI_Gene_Hunt]

If you approach Union Head Office before following established protocols like approaching a Line Manager first to discuss the problem, then engaging with HR and local union rep then you might as well put a target on your back.

Do the above first, present your skills/capabilities and ask for feedback on why you're not being considered.

Honest conversations its called these days so be prepared to hear something you don't like as well though. They might say not having basic qualifications like a Maths GCSE renders you unsuitable for certain types of work.

 

[BoroinBuxton]

Thanks for the advice, 1finny,

The managers here really are amateurs, which is a worry because I work for a massive globally well-known Company.

I’ll look at my contract and see what’s what.

I’m not too worried about them marking my cards cos they are genuinely clueless and will have forgotten about it in a month-or-so. Plus, warehouse jobs are ten a penny round here. I’m also gonna apply to do a maths GCSE for starters, followed by a GCSE English course to try and make my CV look a bit more appealing to any future employers.

Do it! I'm a Chem and maths lecturer at a local (to me) Uni and also teach adult GCSE Maths- have done for the last 4 years. It's been llife changing for some of my students. I can't recommend it strongly enough

 

[Norfolkred1]

It sounds like the Admin job can be done by anyone, If the Boss feels a fly by night Agency bod can do it. Who is to say that he Agency bod will be there tomorrow, the beauty of Agency work. I feel a sit down with the Boss to discuss the matter. He may feel you are more valuable on the shop floor than in the office, but has failed to tell you that. Hopefully they have an open door policy and are approachable. Good luck...

 

[king_hellfire]

Thanks for the replies everyone, they’re much appreciated.

I’ll speak with the manager first before seeing if I need to speak to the union. The managers here are quite forgetful though so I’ll give it a few attempts first.

Notfolkred1, you’ve hit upon one of the problems, I always get the highest pick rates amongst everyone on the 3 shifts here, and, to be fair, the managers do give credit where it’s due. I might have to start ‘accidentally’ knocking pallets out of the racking.

Gene, ‘Honest conversations its called these days so be prepared to hear something you don't like as well though.’

I totally agree with having honest conversations, mate. I’d much rather hear the truth than have someone falsely praising me.


BoroinBuxton,would you be able to advise me in regards to the GCSE please? When I apply to do it is there a certain organisation that is the best to go with? i.e., Edexcel, AQA, OCR etc., or does it not matter? Also, should I ring the local school to arrange it, if that’s even an option, or should I just do it through an online company? Thanks for any advice you may be able to give me, and thanks for the encouragement, it’s much appreciated.

 

[JM14]

Thanks for the replies everyone, they’re much appreciated.

BoroinBuxton,would you be able to advise me in regards to the GCSE please? When I apply to do it is there a certain organisation that is the best to go with? i.e., Edexcel, AQA, OCR etc., or does it not matter? Also, should I ring the local school to arrange it, if that’s even an option, or should I just do it through an online company? Thanks for any advice you may be able to give me, and thanks for the encouragement, it’s much appreciated.

Shouldn't matter which exam board you go through they should all be recognised qualifications in the UK. Speak with your local collage, they will all do GCSEs as night courses for working adults, usually a bit easier to grasp than online learning if you have the time.

 

[boromike85]

Sounds like they probably know they can't replace you cheaply in your current role so aren't willing to move you out of it into something else. Either you should be getting paid more for being good and not easily replaceable or you should look elsewhere to someone else that will pay you what you're worth.

 

[king_hellfire]

Shouldn't matter which exam board you go through they should all be recognised qualifications in the UK. Speak with your local collage, they will all do GCSEs as night courses for working adults, usually a bit easier to grasp than online learning if you have the time.

Thanks, JM14, got some reason it didn’t occur to me to get in touch with the college, I’ll look into that. I’d rather do something like that, rather than doing it solely online.

 

[king_hellfire]

Sounds like they probably know they can't replace you cheaply in your current role so aren't willing to move you out of it into something else. Either you should be getting paid more for being good and not easily replaceable or you should look elsewhere to someone else that will pay you what you're worth.

There’s absolutely no chance of a pay rise, and to be honest, I reckon it’s time to move on anyway, regardless of the situation I’m in at the minute. Over the past year-or-so my thoughts had been veering from wanting an office job and cracking on with it, to wanting an office job purely to gain a few years experience so I can look for a similar job elsewhere.

 

[BoroinBuxton]

Shouldn't matter which exam board you go through they should all be recognised qualifications in the UK. Speak with your local collage, they will all do GCSEs as night courses for working adults, usually a bit easier to grasp than online learning if you have the time.

JM14 is spot on with this. The exam board won't matter. I taught the nightshift classes. Most colleges have an online enrolment/enquiry system, and before CV 19, hosted open evenings. As I said, go for it.