TEMPORARY WORKER’S

HANDBOOK & CONTRACT FOR SERVICES

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CONTENTS: Pages

An Easy Guide to Working to For Meridian Business Support Ltd / 2 - 3
Conduct whilst working for Meridian Business Support Ltd
Equal Opportunities Statement
Permission to work in the U.K. / 3
Health & Safety Information / 4
Complaints process / 5
Forced Labour/Stronger Together Information / 5
Pension Auto Enrolment Information / 6-7
Privacy Policy / 8-11
Contract for Services Agreement / 12-16
Working Time Regulations – opt out agreement / 18

AN EASY GUIDE TO WORKING FOR MERIDIAN BUSINESS SUPPORT

WHO ARE MERIDIAN BUSINESS SUPPORT?

Meridian is an Employment Business, supplying contract, temporary and permanent staff to various companies throughout the UK.

WHAT CAN I EXPECT FROM MERIDIAN?

At Meridian we will endeavour to find you regular work in your chosen field. You will be paid for the actual hours worked at a pay rate agreed at the beginning of every contract. The rate may fluctuate depending on the hours worked and the skill level involved in the work, however it will no be less than the minimum pay rate quoted on your Terms of Engagement.

HOW MUCH NOTICE WILL I RECEIVE BEFORE GOING TO WORK?

Often you will receive very little notice however we will try to give you as much notice as possible. Companies often use temporary staff in an emergency situation therefore you must be able to go to work at short notice.

HOW LONG WILL EACH ASSIGNMENT LAST?

When we advise you about a contract we will give you an idea of how long it is expected to last. This is an estimation only; companies use temporary staff to give them flexibility to alter their staffing levels on a weekly basis. Rest assured, however, that should a contract end we will endeavour to find you further work as soon as possible - keep in touch!

WHAT WILL HAPPEN AFTER I HAVE REGISTERED WITH MERIDIAN?

After registration, assuming your work references are of a good standard, and we consider you to be suitable to work for Meridian you will be considered for any temporary assignments from that time. If a suitable assignment should arise we will contact you by telephone and give details of the job, hours of work, company location and approximate length of contract. If you agree to do the work, we expect a commitment from you at that point. If you are unable to carry out the work for any reason please tell us immediately; we will call you again next time.

HOW LONG WILL I HAVE TO WAIT FOR WORK?

We have to react to the needs of our Clients and we would hope to give you work very quickly, but it is always advisable to contact the office daily and if a contract does arise you will be on the priority list.

WHAT WILL MERIDIAN EXPECT OF ME?

On registering with Meridian, we will explain in detail how we operate and what will be expected of you following registration, if you have any queries, or decide that temporary work is not for you, please contact us as soon as possible. If you don't advise us otherwise, we will expect you to be flexible in the type of work you will do, as this will assist us in giving you work more regularly; if you are not enjoying an assignment you must contact our office in plenty of time in order that we can find a replacement for you.

If you have interviews, doctor/dentist appointment, etc., try to arrange them on a day when you will not be working, or alternatively before or after work, if this isn't possible, you must give the client as much notice as possible if you are unable to attend work.

WILL I BE PAID THE SAME AS PERMANENT STAFF AT THE CLIENT COMPANY, INCLUDING OVERTIME?

What you must always remember is that you are working through Meridian, and you are contracted out to the Client Company on our behalf. You may, therefore, be paid more or less per hour than permanent members of staff for the first 12 weeks of a long term assignment after which you will be entitled to the same basic pay and conditions as that of a directly hired comparable member of staff under Agency Workers Regulations.

WILL I PAY TAX AND NATIONAL INSURANCE?

Yes we will make the necessary statutory deductions from your weekly pay. If you do not provide us with a P45, we will ask you to sign a P46 (or P38 if you are a student). This will give you a temporary Week 1 tax code, which will prevent you from paying emergency tax. If you receive a P45 from a previous employer later on in the contract please forward this to us immediately and we will adjust your tax code accordingly.

HOW AND WHEN WILL I BE PAID?

You will be paid weekly in arrears on a Friday by close of business directly into your bank account via our BACS system. You are paid only for the hours actually worked and it is your responsibility to ensure that any timesheet we give you is completed and signed by the Client, and returned to your Meridian office by no later than Monday 10.00am.

If your timesheet is later your payment may be delayed. Please note that instead of using a timesheet you may be required to sign in and out, or utilise a clock card system. You will be advised of the appropriate system prior to commencing work with a Client Company. You can access, download and print your payslip on our Candidate Portal (see below) and in the interests of the environment paper copies are no longer issued. If you do require paper or e-mail copies instead we can of course arrange this for you and you should speak to your local branch to arrange this.

HOLIDAY PAY

All workers have the right under Working Time Regulations to accrue 5.6 weeks annual leave in a leave year. The Meridian Business Support leave year runs from January to December each year. You will start to accrue holiday from your first day of assignment and will accrue holiday based on 0.1207 of an hour for each hour worked. You can track how many holiday hours you have accrued at any time by accessing your details on the Candidate Portal. What you are paid when you take holiday will be dependent on your average earnings over the previous 12 weeks of work and therefore will fluctuate based on the assignments that you have carried out during that time. When you would like to request holiday you should speak to your local branch who will ask you to complete a holiday request form and check that our client can accommodate this. You should give at least one week’s notice before anticipated holiday to ensure the necessary arrangements can be made. Please note that holidays must be taken before the end of the leave year and payment will not be made in lieu of holiday.

CANDIDATE PORTAL

Your payslip and holiday pay information can be accessed via our candidate portal. Once you have completed our registration process your local branch should issue you with your unique log in. If you have not received this and have started work, please contact your branch immediately.

WHILST WORKING ON A CONTRACT, HOW FLEXIBLE MUST I BE?

Before you go to any company, we will give you as much information as possible about what you will be expected to do. However, it may be that you are asked to carry out duties which have not previously been mentioned and assuming it is in your range of skill and ability and is not dangerous or a physical impossibility we would ask you to be flexible. The more flexible and adaptable you are, the more work we will be able to find you.

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I AM ILL?

Obviously, we don’t expect you to work if you are ill, however if the client is expecting you at work, it is essential that you advise us at least an hour before your start time that you are unable to attend work.

WILL I BE OFFERED A PERMANENT JOB?

We cannot guarantee that your temporary work will lead to a permanent job, though it is possible. If you work hard, have a good attendance record and if a permanent position should arise with the company when you are working, you may be considered.

CONDUCT WHILST WORKING FOR Meridian Business Support Ltd

APPEARANCE- If you are provided with a uniform, it must be worn at all times and be kept clean and tidy. If you are wearing your own clothing it must be suitable and acceptable for the position carried out. Identity badges if provided must be worn at all times in a clearly visible position.

DRUGS AND ALCOHOL - Alcoholic drinks must not be brought onto or consumed on company premises. Drug taking, apart from prescribed medicines, the consumption of alcohol, or the use of other substances that effect performance of behaviour at work could result in termination of assignment and your contract for services.

SMOKING - It is illegal to smoke in all enclosed and substantially enclosed premises in the workplace, this includes company vehicles. All candidates are required to adhere to the no smoking law.

RELATIONS WITH COMPETITORS - All Meridian contract workers must be constantly aware when in contact with employees of competitors and suppliers, of the need to avoid (whether deliberately or inadvertently) revealing information which could be used by a competitor.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES STATEMENT

Meridian Business Support Ltd is committed to a policy of equal opportunities for all work seekers and shall adhere to such a policy at all times and will review on an on-going basis on all aspects of recruitment to avoid unlawful or undesirable discrimination. We will treat everyone equally irrespective of sex, sexual orientation, marital status, age, disability, race, colour, ethnic or national origin, religion, political beliefs or membership or non-membership of a Trade Union and we place an obligation upon all staff to respect and act in accordance with the policy.

Meridian Business Support Ltd shall not discriminate unlawfully when deciding which candidate / temporary worker is submitted for a vacancy or assignment, or in any terms of employment or terms of engagement for temporary workers. Meridian Business Support Ltd will ensure that each candidate is assessed only in accordance with the candidate’s merits, qualification and ability to perform the relevant duties required by the particular vacancy.

PERMISSION TO WORK IN THE U.K

As an Employment Business we have a responsibility to ensure that any person provided with temporary work is eligible to work in the U.K. In line with the Home Office guidance on the prevention of illegal working you will be required to provide documents in respect of your identity and right to work. We are required to take a copy of your original ID documentation and any appropriate VISA for our records.

Documents acceptable to establish your identity and right to work are:

  • A Valid Passport, for Identity
  • VISA / Work Permit / Residence Permit, for the right to work in the UK.

If you are unable to provide a passport then the following should be provided:

  • A full U.K. Birth Certificate, showing details of parent/s
  • PLUS proof of your National Insurance number (i.e. a NI card, P45 or P60 or a Job Centre letter)

GENERAL INFORMATION COVERING HEALTH & SAFETY

(Inc., The Health & Safety At Work Act 1974 – Section 7 & 8 imposes duties on EVERYONE)

General

  1. To take reasonable care for the Health & Safety of themselves and other persons who may be affected by their acts or omissions.
  2. To co-operate in ensuring the Client’s policy on Health & Safety is observed and that all statutory requirements are fully complied with.
  3. You must undertake all duties as instructed and never deviate.
  4. Watch notice boards for company statements on general policy, Health & Safety information, Health & Safety Statutory Regulations and Procedures.

Working Practices

  1. You must not operate any item of equipment unless trained, and authorised to do so.
  2. You must not remove any guarding from equipment used or deviate from your authorised usage of the equipment.
  3. You must report immediately any equipment defects, hazards or faults to your supervisor or safety representative and never attempt repair.
  4. You must undertake all duties as instructed and never deviate.

Hazard/Warning Signs & Notices

  1. You must comply with all hazard/warning signs and notices displayed on the premises.

Working Conditions/Environment

  1. You must make proper use of all equipment and facilities provided to control working conditions/environment.
  2. You must ensure you keep your work areas clear/tidy.
  3. You must dispose of waste/scrap in the appropriate receptacles.

Protective Clothing & Equipment (PPE)

  1. You must wear protective equipment where required and ensure it is correctly maintained. If any item of PPE issued to you is defective you should report it immediately

Accidents

  1. You must see the first-aider for any injury you may receive, irrespective of how minor, and ensure details are entered into the accident book.
  2. You must report any incident in which damage is caused to property.

Health

  1. You must report any medical condition that could affect the safety of yourself or others.
  2. You must not become involved with horseplay, or practical jokes.

Fire Safety

  1. Familiarise yourself with FIRE EXITS, ensure that you never obstruct any fire escape route, fire equipment or doors
  2. In the event of a fire, sound the fire alarm and follow the fire procedure instructions, which will normally be clearly displayed on the client’s notice boards.
  3. You must follow all rules pertaining to no smoking areas.

REMEMBER – SAFETY IS EVERYONE’S BUSINESS

CANDIDATE COMPLAINT PROCESS

It is important to us that we are able to provide you with a service that you will be happy with.However, in the event that we have not met your expectations,in the first instance you should contact the Meridian Branch that you have been dealing with. Please write to the Branch Manager by either email or letter.

If you would like to see a copy of our Complaints Policy, please see our website at

However you choose to contact us you should expect;

  • Your complaint to be acknowledged within 5 working days
  • ​Your complaint to be dealt with confidentially and fairly
  • Your complaintto be resolved within a maximum of 28 days

FORCED LABOUR AND MODERN SLAVERY

  • Are you being forced to work when you don’t want to?
  • Do you have to pay someone money to give you work?
  • Are you being forced to live in accommodation against your will?
  • Is someone controlling your identity documents or bank account?
  • Is someone threatening or intimidating you or your family?

YES? GET HELP

  • Talk to us at Meridian in Confidence by speaking to your Branch Manager or calling 0161 929 3850
  • For personal help and support if you are a victim - Call Migrant Help on 07766 668781 or the Salvation Army on 0300 303 8151.

More information in over 7 other languages is available by visiting:

PENSION AUTO ENROLMENT INFORMATION

Meridian Business Support - Pensions Auto Enrolment Information

Here at Meridian we’ve chosen to offer NEST as our workplace pension scheme to meet our employer duties and help you put money aside for your retirement.

NEST is a straightforward pension scheme that gives you one retirement fund for life.

You can contribute to your retirement fund, and in many cases we’ll contribute too. You’ll also usually get extra money from the government through tax relief, as long as you’re making personal contributions.

If we don’t have your National Insurance number though, NEST won’t be able to claim tax relief on your behalf, so please make sure you’ve given it to us so you don’t miss out on any extra money.

When will I join NEST?

When you begin working for us and meet the following criteria we write to you with the date we plan to assess whether you are eligible to be automatically enrolled into our NEST pension scheme. This is usually three months later.

We will automatically enrol you to become a member of NEST if, on your assessment date you are:

  • aged at least 22 but under State Pension age
  • working, or if you ordinarily work, in the UK
  • earning more than £10,000
  • not already a member of a qualifying workplace pension scheme we provide.

Extra money will be added to your own pension contributions from the government through basic rate tax relief and we’ll also contribute.

We will write to you again at that point with what happens next if you are to be enrolled.

Information on The Pensions Reform can be found in the Temp Zone on our website( from NEST(

Can I join NEST before my assessment date?

You can choose to opt in to and become a member of NEST if you’re:

  • not already a member of an existing qualifying workplace pension scheme
  • aged at least 16 but under 75
  • earning morethan £6032
  • working, or if you ordinarily work, in the UK.

If you want to become a member of NEST before your assessment date, you’ll need to let us know by completing a joining form which is available from your local branch or via the Temp Zone on our website and returning this completed form back to your local branch.

If you become a member of NEST prior to being auto enrolled you will make member contributions into your retirement fund direct from your pay. We will contribute too and you’ll normally get money from the government through tax relief, as long as you’re making contributions.

Can I still join NEST if I don’t meet the above criteria?

You can ask to become a member of NEST if you’re:

  • inside the age range mentioned above (16 – 75)
  • earning less than £6032
  • working, or if you ordinarily work, in the UK
  • not already a member of a qualifying workplace pension scheme.

If you meet these criteria and become a member of NEST you can make contributions directly to your retirement pot whenever you like by direct debit or debit card from your own bank account. These contributions must be at least £10 and we do not have to contribute.