Ladbrokes to reintroduce mandatory single staffing
Ladbrokes – the high street betting chain – has reneged on a long standing health and safety commitment that will put frontline staff at risk says Community Union. Ladbrokes had reached an understanding with Community Union after staff consultation to reduce levels of lone working in line with risk assessments. Ladbrokes today have torn up this agreement and will institute a policy of mandatory single staffing up to 12:30 each day. Lone person working has been identified as a key issue for staff.
This announcement pre-empts discussions at the Ministerial roundtable between betting shop, trade union and government representatives. Community Union representative Christine Hardacre will be raising this issue at the next roundtable meeting Thursday 5th November.
Community Union Regional Director Christine Hardacre said:
“This is a disgraceful move by Ladbrokes which places staff at risk of verbal and physical abuse. Levels of anti-social behaviour in betting shops are at an all time high. A recent survey of our members found that 4 out of 5 have faced verbal abuse in the past month while levels of physical assault have also been rising.
Mandatory single staffing in a working environment full of aggressive and abusive customers places staff at risk and leaves no doubt that Ladbrokes are putting profit before people.
By making this announcement during roundtable discussions, Ladbrokes are walking away from an industry wide effort to increase staff safety in betting shops and proving that the only real voice calling for greater protections for Betting Shop workers is the Community Union”
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