On the day that B&Q employees are being asked to put their names to new terms of employment or face the sack, a petition urging a management rethink is gaining thousands of signatures.
The retailer is increasing its staff's basic pay to a minimum of £7.66 per hour from April 1, 46p above the National Living Wage that comes in on that date. However, at the same time it is introducing other changes that will reportedly see many lose out financially overall.

These include removal of time and a half pay for working Sundays, reduction of double time for working bank holidays and removal of a bonus equating to 6% of annual salary.

Employees have to agree to their new work and pay terms today, March 24, or be dismissed. But an online petition started by a B&Q employee under the pseudonym Kevin Smith, addressed to CEO Michael Loeve, had gained 59,000 signatures by mid-afternoon - on course to reach the targeted 75,000.

In the petition Mr Smith says he has worked for B&Q for over five years, but that "the past month has been one of the most difficult for me personally and as a manager.

"The full-time customer advisors are being hit the hardest...As a manager it has been incredibly difficult conducting consultations with people that are set to lose thousands of pounds and telling them that if they don't sign by March 24th they will lose their job.

"Big businesses like B&Q are using the national living wage as an excuse to cut overall pay and rewards for the people that need it the most. I feel ashamed to work for a business that treats their employees with so little respect. I feel ashamed to work for a business that proposes to pay neighbouring stores two separate rates of pay. I hope that there are others out there that feel the same and support this petition.

"I hope that with the support of others, through signing this petition, we can influence B&Q and other businesses to reverse these changes. I also hope they acknowledge that treating people in this way will have a negative impact on their business in the future."

B&Q employees have been posting comments on diyweek.net's original story, expressing anger at their treatment. Another comment offers advice on B&Q staff's legal rights in this situation [not verified by diyweek.net].

'Paul F' says: "You have a choice about accepting or refusing a change in contracts. If you have been employed for 2 years or more, and you decide to refuse the change in contracts (which is your right) then "Managing out" will undoubtedly be considered unfair dismissal and will make them liable to an industrial tribunal...

"...before deciding whether to accept the contract change or fight it, you should first evaluate what you are going to lose without a change of contract, and then compare that with what you will get on the new contract...

"...the legal position is complicated and is likely to be different for different people. B&Q staff should club together and get legal advice."