14th March 2009, 02:39 PM
I was a bit worried by that as well, but working in London for the past decade I don't know what the norm is for these longer term away jobs. I know there was wrangling at a major London unit over an away site they had, and differential expenses for their permanent staff versus staff hired locally, and indeed for permanent staff who happened to live locally...in that case I think the away staff were getting London weighting though! I know it was resolved somehow in the end and believe that part of the resolution involved discussions with a major west country unit amongst others as to what a fair scheme for stay away jobs should be.
It does get difficult though as if a site is long term, say six months, you can be penalising those already with rented accommodation who are local (and therefore don't get any expenses), against those who can move in to the area, get all their accommodation costs paid by the unit,plus expenses and therefore be better off. The way around it is increasing pay for all and saying its up to the diggers to pay their rent but maybe arranging places to stay. But then you penalise those moving around looking for work who want a semblance of settled life with a flat of their own somewhere as they pay for two homes.....
Is the Nottinghamshire situation different from accepted practice by those units in the recent past, i.e. staff hired specifically to work on a three months+ single excavation, away from head office, normally getting their stay away sub, plus some form of accommodation or expenses for this? It used to be the case years ago when I was on the circuit, but that was a long time ago. What is the norm these days, and has it changed for the worst? if it has I'd be very angry as well, if it hasn't I'd just be disgruntled. As usual.
I look forward to being told to start a new thread!
It does get difficult though as if a site is long term, say six months, you can be penalising those already with rented accommodation who are local (and therefore don't get any expenses), against those who can move in to the area, get all their accommodation costs paid by the unit,plus expenses and therefore be better off. The way around it is increasing pay for all and saying its up to the diggers to pay their rent but maybe arranging places to stay. But then you penalise those moving around looking for work who want a semblance of settled life with a flat of their own somewhere as they pay for two homes.....
Is the Nottinghamshire situation different from accepted practice by those units in the recent past, i.e. staff hired specifically to work on a three months+ single excavation, away from head office, normally getting their stay away sub, plus some form of accommodation or expenses for this? It used to be the case years ago when I was on the circuit, but that was a long time ago. What is the norm these days, and has it changed for the worst? if it has I'd be very angry as well, if it hasn't I'd just be disgruntled. As usual.
I look forward to being told to start a new thread!