A chain of care homes are refusing to pay staff overtime for working at Christmas because it would “discriminate” against other religions.
Guinness Care and Support, which runs more than 20 care homes in Devon, is claiming that it had an “ethical belief in equality” which means that it cannot favour Christmas over other religious festivals. Staff were told that it would only pay bonuses for bank holidays, ruling out Christmas Day and Boxing Day this year because they fall at the weekend.
“We have a strong ethical belief in equality and diversity and are unable to recognise one religious festival over others,” said Mick Green, group’s senior human resources manager.
One member of staff, who asked not to be named, said she was “stunned” by the decision.
“We have learnt that senior head office management have decided that all staff who work on Christmas Day and Boxing Day will be paid standard flat rate wages with no bonuses whatsoever. The management themselves are on two weeks' annual leave. It has come as a shock and left us all stunned.”
“Due to the nature of the work we expect to work festive times and give up our own time with our families knowing we are giving time, care and support to those who are unfortunate enough to need to live in care homes. But for the management to deem that we do not deserve some sort of bonus – like the majority of other employees at this time of year – is not a reflection of their mantra of care and support in the community. It obviously excludes their own staff.”
Hugo Swire, Conservative MP for East Devon, said: “I can give you my reaction in one word – bonkers.”
Ben Bradshaw, Labour MP for Exeter, also expressed his concern saying that he would be contacting Guinness Care and Support for a more comprehensive explanation of the company’s standpoint.
“I am surprised at their stance. We are still an overwhelmingly Christian society and Christmas is a religious festival and a public holiday. Other religious festivals are not public holidays and I do not think Guinness is comparing like with like,” he said.
The Rt Rev Michael Langrish accused the company of “Scrooge-like” meanness, “cynical use of the equality agenda” and exploiting low-paid staff.
“This is a cynical use of the equality agenda to exploit care workers who are already often among the lowest-paid in our society,” he said.
“Care workers carry out a hugely important role in the life and health of our communities and are already poorly rewarded for what they do. To deny them the opportunity to be with their families on Christmas Day, and to fail to properly reward them for that sacrifice, is to further exploit them.”
“The company, Guinness Care and Support, speaks of ethics and equality, but I don't think it is at all serious about either.”
“Its policy prioritises the non-religious over the religious. A policy of true equality would recognise the importance of Christmas Day and Easter Day for Christians and allow other workers to nominate two different days to reflect their own faith, or other commitments.” he added.
Guinness Care and Support said that its staff working on the statutory bank holidays, Monday, December 27 and Tuesday, December 28, would receive extra pay in accordance with their contracts.
Sources
Daily Telegraph
Daily Mail
This is Exeter
People Management
Related sources
Christian Concern: Growing secular lobby wants to silence Christmas message, says Bishop.
Christian Concern: Conservatives remove Christmas from their Christmas cards.
Christian Concern: Dundee removes any reference to Christianity in upcoming Christmas celebrations.
Christian Concern: Christians must not be sidelined, says Communities Secretary.
Christian Concern: Lord Mayor of Leicester prevents councillors praying before meetings.
Christian Concern: Police banned from asking ‘Christian’ names to avoid offending other faiths.