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06 Jun 2011
STAFF AT HM Revenue & Customs will be going on a strike this week in protest at the taxman's attendance management policy.
The PCS union, the biggest in the civil service, has called on its 50,000 members in HMRC to take action on 7 and 8 June. This will constitute a walkout from 16:00 to 17:00 on 7 June, and members coming in at 10:00 on 8 June and taking a two-hour lunch break.
Further reading
Changes to HMRC policy have meant that staff taking more than five days sick pay or taking sick leave on more than three occasions could face disciplinary action. Union officials have said this is "draconian" and has criticised policy on staff taking time to attend medical and dental appointments.
The union has also asked members to refuse to work overtime; "work properly" and not cut corners; and cease using their own vehicles and use pool cars or take public transport when undertaking work visits.
PCS West Wales HMRC network branch secretary Steve Donoghue told Wales Online: "This action is being taken in protest against HMRC policies which will see administrative action - which can lead to dismissal - being taken against staff if they take more than five days' sick leave.
"It is vital that wherever possible members support this action, as it will send a clear message to HMRC that we will not allow them to continue to erode our terms and conditions."
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Visitor comments Add your comment
We may have a better service on those days!
Another example of public sector workings striking due to pay and terms.
I have not seen the union applying to strike due to the extremely poor service delivery by HMRC! I have not seen its members consider striking due to poor service delivery.
Maybe HMRC staff should consider delivering better service to its so called customers first.
Posted by: David, 06 Jun 2011 | 11:27
surprised?
Typical. Public sector employer looks to bring in a perfectly reasonable policy, in line with the private sector norm, and unions kick off. If staff are not at work as off sick, this puts extra pressure on those with good attendance. As usual, Union barons start huffing an puffing without reading the policies properly and identifying that this 'action' is often to assist the employee (in terms of getting a better understanding of the reasons behind the time off), which can nowadays only be done as part of a formal process due to changes in employment legislation. Where this identifies that an employee is unable to meet obligations under their contract (i.e. to be at work), the process enables the employer to look into accomodations to assist the employee where possible. This may not be practical, and the employee may well end up being dismissed, but this would be in extreme circumstances.
I imagine those with good attendance records who have to pick up the workload of others have a different view on the policy than that expressed by the usual tub-thumpers....
Posted by: bristoldave, 06 Jun 2011 | 12:08
This is a strike?
I am puzzled by your report. This seems to imply that HMRC not being available before 10.00 am or after 4.00 pm or for two hours at lunchtime represents a withdrawal of service. Surely that is the norm!
Posted by: Robert Maas, 06 Jun 2011 | 13:26
WONDERFUL News!!
Pity it's as short as two days!!
Judging by the calibre of staff left at HMRC the longer they're out the better!!
Let's recruit people who at least have SOME idea of the pressures and modus operandi of the Private Sector!!
Posted by: Chris Clark, 06 Jun 2011 | 18:57
Bring it on
Does this mean that HMRC wont be answering calls or progressing matters for those two days? Sounds like business as usual then.
Posted by: Ben, 07 Jun 2011 | 10:11
Notice ?
Will we even notice or care. I wish I could take a day off when I am actually ill. Instead I am made to pay for these overweight layabouts.
Posted by: Spike, 07 Jun 2011 | 12:44
Notice ?
Will we even notice or care. I wish I could take a day off when I am actually ill. Instead I am made to pay for these overweight layabouts.
Posted by: Spike, 07 Jun 2011 | 12:44
Welcome to the real world
What fantasy world do these Unions live in!. The days of using up your leave and looking forward to taking your "2 weeks sick leave" hopefully are over for good.
If public sector workers only knew what it was like working in the private sector they would not insult us with actions like this
Posted by: Jon, 07 Jun 2011 | 21:17
Oh dear - not well planned for max support
I guess HMRC would be very hard pushed to find a way to strike that would provide maximum disruption to anyone.
Many would see it as a good thing wouldn’t they? No tax being collected – wow that really hurts the average person in the street!
HMRC – keep up the strike action.
Posted by: Elaine Clark, 09 Jun 2011 | 10:40
HMRC v Private sector
I can fully understand all the earlier comments but as an employee of over 40 years in H.M. Customs & Excise, now part of HMRC, with a total of 30 days sick leave - they are mislead.
Without somebody collecting tax, there would be no hospitals, etc. HMRC also deals with serious fraud, smuggling, anti-terrorism and all the things that allows the U.K. population to be a bit safer in their lives.
If your contributors want us all to 'go away' do they sesiously think that people would pay tax, stop evading multi millions in revenue due, stop smuggling and all become honest citizens? I seriously doubt it. The staff in HMRC are trying their best to comply with this Goverment's dictat and despite radical job cuts and a top-heavy management have reduced evasion and increased tax yield expotentially.
Posted by: Expatantigua, 10 Jun 2011 | 11:37
Divide and Conquer
Come on people, let's all stick together, eh? 5 days sick leave a year could be used up by one bout of flu alone. So people can be sacked simply for being human beings and occasionally becoming sick. Rather than attack the myth of lazy workers with cushy terms and conditions why not support your fellow man and woman? Those in authority prefer if we all fight amongst ourselves - it keeps us busy and distracted from the atrocities they are inflicting on us (CS cuts, NHS "reform", "liberating" other countries etc). We want fair terms and working conditions for all workers, private, public, foreign or domestic. That is the only thing to fight for. Don't fall for the divide and conquer trick again. Ask why protests for fair treatment in Egypt are applauded from afar yet at home Cable warns people they have the right to strike as long as they don't use it.
Posted by: Steve, 10 Jun 2011 | 14:27
SYCHOPHANTIC BRITAIN
Do all the British sychophants who post anti-worker rubbish on here have any idea of the obscene pressure the people in tax offices are put under by appalling management and bullying know-nothing managers ? Sick-leave is the first step... Real mental problems are the next..... a very slippery slope, and very little protection. Soon there will be none at all..
Posted by: THE ARGUIST, 27 Jun 2011 | 21:41