Manor Farm has ended its policy to charge new employees for work wear, with immediate effect.
The move comes after the Shercock-based poultry producer carried out a review of PPE regulations from the Health and Safety Authority.
On Thursday it was revealed that staff joining Carton Brothers and Manor Farm applied a one-off refundable deduction to new employees for traditional work wear or PPE such as helmets, steel-toe boots, body warmers and wellington boots.
The €50 was returned after 12 weeks employment or when students or seasonal workers completed their contract.
The policy has been in place since 2014; with it said SIPTU was made aware of it before its introduction.
Northern Sound News understands the policy was introduced after cases were staff would join the company, be kitted with PPE and workwear and leave shortly afterwards.
SIPTU reacted to the news by calling for the practice to end immediately.
Prior to today’s development, the Health and Safety Authority told Northern Sound News it doesn’t comment on individual companies but that under the Safety, Health and Welfare Act 2005, an employer can’t pass the cost of PPE onto staff – even if it’s refundable.
A spokesperson for Carton Brothers today said that following a review of the HSA’s PPE regulations, it has discontinued the policy “with immediate effect”.
The company reiterated that the policy “did not relate in any way” to Covid-19 specific PPE such as masks, shields or sanitiser, and that the health and welfare of its 1,000 staff is its priority during the pandemic.
Statement from Carton Bros. re its policy on PPE
The health and safety of our employees and the community in which we operate is the top priority for our business. Any suggestion that Carton Bros. forces employees to pay for PPE as it relates to COVID-19 is without foundation.
PPE such as face masks, face shields, sanitiser, disinfectant wipes, etc. are provided by the business, at no cost to employees. Since the crisis began in March, we have put in place a comprehensive suite of internal protective measures and procedures to ensure the maximum safety of our teams from COVID -19, while maintaining critical supply chain continuity with our customers. In March, we also widened our sick pay scheme so that it applies to all employees for the duration of the pandemic. In that time, our employees have demonstrated a high level of commitment to and compliance with these additional measures.
We employ over 1,000 people, all of whom are directly employed by the business. The business is strongly supported by the local community, whose farmers work to ensure a continuous supply of product in a safe environment.
Since 2014, we have had a policy in relation to workwear and traditional Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) and where a one-off deduction of €50 applied to all new employees for specific kit that included steel toe boots, helmet, bodywarmer, padded trousers, wellingtons, etc. As per the policy, this one-off deduction was refunded to employees after 12 weeks through payroll. Following a review of PPE regulations from the Health and Safety Authority, we have, with immediate effect, discontinued this policy.
For the avoidance of doubt, this policy from 2014 did not relate in any way to the PPE provided by the business to protect our employees during the current pandemic.
Carton Bros. will continue to take all necessary and appropriate measures to ensure the safest possible working conditions for our employees in the fight against COVID-19. Our focus remains on the health and safety of our employees and the community, on animal welfare and business continuity.
ENDS
