The vulnerable worker in Britain and problems at work

an article by Anna Pollert (University of the West of England) and Andy Charlwood (University of York) published in Work, Employment & Society Volume 23 Number 2 (2009)

Abstract

This article investigates the experience of low-paid workers without union representation. It reports on the findings of a recent survey of 501 low-paid, non-unionised workers who experienced problems at work. The results demonstrate that problems at work are widespread and, despite a strong propensity to take action to try to resolve them, most workers failed to achieve satisfactory resolutions. In the light of these results, we argue that the current UK government definition of vulnerability is too narrow because our results suggest that a large proportion of low-paid, unrepresented workers are at risk of being denied their employment rights. Therefore we question the ability of the UK's current system of predominantly non-unionised employment relations to deliver employment rights effectively and fairly.

Hazel’s comment:
1. Protect vulnerable workers.
2. Ensure that the small-business community is supported through provision of appropriate workers.
Unfortunately I’m not sure that these two mantras of government are compatible. My own experience of employment work is that the smaller the establishment the less likely it is that workers will have any representation and the less likely it is that workers who are denied their rights will be able to claim those rights.

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