Asda has been accused of sending a manager to the home of a sick worker in a bid to have them sign a controversial new contract.
The Sunday Mail revealed last week how staff had been threatened with the sack if they refused to agree to the new terms that cut paid breaks and reduced holiday entitlement.
Hundreds of employees who will be worse-off want to retain their existing conditions. Asda has denied asking managers to visit the homes of employees without permission.
But the husband of one worker, who didn’t want to be named, said: “My wife had been off work sick and had been going through a rough time.
“I couldn’t believe it when the door went one evening and it was an Asda manager with some paperwork on the new contract that he wanted her to sign. “She shouldn’t have been bothered like that.
“It seems the company is going to insist that people move over to the new terms one way or another.
This is not the way to treat people who have worked for you for decades.
“Luckily, I was at home on this occasion and so I could help deal with the guy. But in other circumstances, it could’ve been intimidating.”
Asda has insisted the contract change represents an £80million investment that will lead to more than 100,000 workers getting a real-terms pay rise.
But the company admitted five per cent of employees will be worse-off.
One Scottish staff member told the Sunday Mail how she will lose eight days’ annual leave and be down £500 a year.
Asda is owned by US retail conglomerate Walmart, one of the world’s largest companies.
A spokesman said the firm had a duty to consult over the plans and where workers were out of the business, face-to-face meetings had been sought by letter but were not mandatory.
He added: “We have a responsibility to engage with all of our colleagues about our new contract to make sure they understand the changes and have the opportunity to ask any questions.
“Managers are not asked to visit colleagues’ homes without their permission and should a colleague not wish to meet to discuss their personal situation, they do not have to.”
The spokesman said the new contract will mean Asda can deliver better service to
customers.
He added: “We are continuing to talk to our colleagues about this change and to understand what it might mean for their individual circumstances.”
GMB National Officer Gary Carter said: “Our members tell us that they are forced to sign these new contracts for fear of not being able to pay the bills.
Instead of strong arm tactics, Asda needs to listen to the workers.
Asda workers ‘forced to sign’ new contracts or ‘face the sack’
