When the company has no work for an employee....

[Meg888]

Hi Can you please advise on the following. A friend of mine has been 'Stood Down' from work as they don't have anything for him at the moment. He (among others) was given no notice, just told to go home on Monday afternoon, and told he would be contacted when they had some work for him. They have some work to start in just over a weeks' time, however, by then they will have been 'stood down' for two weeks without pay.

Is it not the companies' responsibility to give them part payment i.e. half pay or a set stand down rate? (PS this is a large company within the construciton industry)

Thanks in advance

[chelle7272]

This happens to my other half each year. Unless he is on a permanent contract they are entitiled to do this. I think you need 4 years continuous service to become automatically permanent.

[Meg888]

Hi SupaStar: No they are an employee and have been for approx 2 years now.

[chelle7272]

http://www.adviceguid...ic_rights_at_work.htm

scroll down to 'Lay offs and short-time working'

[factor-fiction]

I'm not sure I agree that this has anything to do with having less than or more than 4 years' service.
Is this issue covered by the contract?