B&Q faces backlash over changes to staff breaks
B&Q is facing backlash from staff following changes made to paid breaks, according to reports.
The DIY giant has told staff it will cut employee hours from January but would increase wages to £11.31 per hour to compensate.
Internal documents, first seen by Retail Week, showed that the changes would mean workers working 39 hours per week would move to 36 hours and 45 minutes, as the company takes out unpaid breaks.
B&Q, said: “A full-time colleague will receive an additional £116.61p per annum and will be in store for 2hours 15 minutes less each week, which is the equivalent of 105 hours across a year – nearly 3 weeks less time at work.”
But staff have raised concerns that the change may limit their earning potential when the new living wage rate of £11.44 per hour comes into effect.
B&Q told the outlet that it would increase pay again in April when the rate will officially come into play.
A spokesperson for the retailer said: “To bring our approach in line with other large retailers, during the summer we undertook a pilot in two stores to reduce the length of breaks with a higher hourly rate of pay at £11.31.
“Following positive feedback from the pilot, we announced the changes to colleagues nationwide in November, followed by one-to-one briefings to go through the new framework.”
They added: “Our investment of £4m in our new policy, which has been welcomed by the vast majority of colleagues, ensures there is a fair break policy for all and means that no colleague is worse off, allowing colleagues to spend less time at work for the same pay or be at work for the same hours for more pay.”