Employers still exploit naive staff

UNSCRUPULOUS employers are still flouting the law and exploiting naive workers despite a raft of legislation protecting employees, consumer complaints have revealed.

Some employers are still not issuing wage slips or contracts to staff and are reneging on their duty to provide benefits and entitlements, including sick and holiday pay. When workers in such situations query their terms of employment, many are being sacked on the spot, according to voluntary information bureau, the Citizens Information Centre (CIC).

Queries about employment and work terms at CIC have doubled in the past four to five years, as the numbers working on a contract basis or part-time continues to rise. Staff at the centres said they were stunned by the numbers of employees who don't have access to a wage slip and have not been informed of their holiday entitlements. Many disgruntled employees don't inquire about their rights until after they have left the workplace or have been let go, according to Comhairle, the umbrella group for the CIC .