My station (Bolton) completely closed yesterday?

[Howardh]

As there were no trains scheduled to stop there (strikes) the place was completely locked up - at least in the early evening when I called. No idea if it was open earler. I wanted to get my tickets from the machine for a trip next week in advance. Shrug shoulders....go again.

But if the station was closed all day, there's a shop on platform 2/3 which wouldn't be doing any business. I doubt they would get compensation, presumably they won't be paying rent for the whole week? Bigger stations have far more peripheral activities, do they just lose their income, and that's it?? Could someone in, say, a WH Smith be laid off and get benefits for the week? What happens??

 

[Bletchleyite]

Yes, they'll just lose their income, unless (unlikely) there's something in their contract/lease saying otherwise.

As for the staff it depends on how they're employed. If they're zero hours, they'd get nowt. If they've got contracted hours, they'd still get paid, though they may be pressured to take holidays.

 

[Howardh]

Yes, they'll just lose their income, unless (unlikely) there's something in their contract/lease saying otherwise.

As for the staff it depends on how they're employed. If they're zero hours, they'd get nowt. If they've got contracted hours, they'd still get paid, though they may be pressured to take holidays.

Yeah, good call. Wonder if they can apply for benefits in that case? No idea how zero hours works when you have a length of time without employment. I suppose if they are contracted with a chain (WH Smiths/Greggs/wherever) they can be invited to work in other stores and if they refuse then don't pay them?

 

[Annetts key]

A lot of the shops on stations are actually part of SSP. They have both their own brands plus the brands that they franchise. See this Wikipedia article for more information.

Next time, if the shop(s) you are talking about are part of SSP, see if you can see a small sign in the window or elsewhere on the front/side. Or if you buy something, look on the receipt.

 

[Trackman]

Yes, they'll just lose their income, unless (unlikely) there's something in their contract/lease saying otherwise.

As for the staff it depends on how they're employed. If they're zero hours, they'd get nowt. If they've got contracted hours, they'd still get paid, though they may be pressured to take holidays.

Something needs to be done about zero hour contracts in these instances.
I bet station cleaners (who do an excellent job) are in the mire too on strike days due to zero hours contracts.

 

[C2K]

'Zero Hours' was offset some years back & is covered off ( bundled in with for simplicities sake) the same legislation that covers the minimum wage.

I won't lie it's quite a complex system but the way it protects staff ( contracted direct employee but not a S/E contractor) is as follows: contract is 0 hours. Employee works a 'consistent' eg 25 hours. Employee can demonstrate X hours for 12 out of 20 consecutive weeks or 16 of 30(( giving allowance and/or exemption for holiday/ BH's/ compassionate leave/ births/deaths)) then at that point the employee is garnered X hours ( 25 in this example) over the remaining financial year and/or company accounting date. Whichever is the later.

If that, initial, period 'crosses' aforementioned date points it is presumed to carry over to the next. If said period continues during, having already been reached at least once prior, and completes in the new period it is presumed to apply throughout the next period. Any break less than ( top of my head so don't quote me on this but) 90 days but the prior employee again works '25' hours as prior requires the employer to consider such as 'continuous employment' IF said person is re-employed for the same role under the same employment terms ( IE: Contracted/ Direct employee).

Said employee is entitled to sickness pay( if offered above SSP within company),. annual leave ( days & rate) and any other employee benefit (s) aligned to staff doing the same role. They are also deemed to be on eg 25hr contracts, irrelevant of mention of "Zero Hours" in their initial contract, once they've satisfied the above.

HMRC pursues, fines and at discretion ( but WAY more than you might think I assure you) prosecutes companies who evade or deny the above by way of deeming non payment/ provision as a deduction to staff wage which brings them below NMW even if their hourly wage is notably above it ( so long as when that happens it actually does of course)

No union,.lawyer or advocate needed. Literally an entire section on HMRC website (.fairly idiot proof,.well for HM Gov at least lol) that anyone can report to, in confidence, and with legal protection