Post by Teddy Bear on Aug 1, 2010 21:35:32 GMT
BBC Staff have become embroiled in an internal dispute about getting canteen servers stools reinstated. I couldn't care one way or the other about it, but the point is that those like Jeremy Bowen, the Middle East editor, is so ready to criticize Israel for concerns about the security of their country, yet in his own life this is the sort of shit he gets involved with.
Wonder how he would feel about having rockets flying in while he was dining?
Eat it up!
Wonder how he would feel about having rockets flying in while he was dining?
Eat it up!
BBC sparks seven-month HSE inquiry into why canteen staff needed a seat
By Stephanie Condron
Last updated at 2:03 AM on 1st August 2010
With regular patrons including newsreaders George Alagiah and Emily Maitlis, the issues discussed in the BBC canteen are normally serious and well-informed.
But for two years, tea-breaks have been dominated by a more mundane subject – whether canteen staff should be forced to stand while serving.
Newsnight presenter Gavin Esler, Middle East editor Jeremy Bowen and security correspondent Frank Gardner have pitched in to the fight, demanding the return of servers’ chairs.
Emily Maitlis
George Alagiah
The dispute began when Aramark, the catering firm that operates the Filling Station canteen in Television Centre, removed the stools beside cash registers.
Staff were told that in future they would have to stand, but soon began complaining to the newsreaders about aching limbs.
A star-studded petition was raised and sent to the BBC’s health-and-safety managers.
But they were unable to act because the canteen workers are employed by Aramark, not the BBC.
Finally, Corporation staff called in the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), claiming that Aramark was breaching employment law.
Under the 1974 Health And Safety At Work Act, the HSE is duty-bound to investigate alleged breaches of safety in the workplace, no matter who complains.
Now, after a seven-month inquiry, the HSE has ordered the stools to be reinstalled.
An ergonomics expert hired by Aramark had recommended that the staff stand on cushioned mats instead.
A senior BBC source said: ‘This is the main tea bar close to the newsroom and the world affairs unit.
'A lot of big-name correspondents and newsreaders use it. Many of them supported the staff, who are very popular.’
HSE inspector Andrew Verrall-Withers said: ‘You either provide chairs or show why it’s sensible not to do so. Normally, you talk and reason with people and get a quick result.
‘The majority of my work is investigating incidents in which people have been killed or badly hurt.
'The last thing I wanted to do was spend taxpayers’ money ending up in court on a relatively low-risk issue.’
He said that the investigation had cost about £2,600.
An HSE statement said: ‘Workers whose jobs can mainly be done sitting down should be given a seat. This saves fatigue and discomfort and helps reduce sickness absence.’
A BBC spokesman said last night: ‘The BBC asked Aramark to resolve the issue but contractually we were not able to compel them to replace the stools. The HSE was happy with our approach.’
An Aramark statement said: ‘We take our employee health and well-being very seriously.
'We always look at ways to improve procedures and took the internal decision to reintroduce stools. We believe that this action has been received positively.’
Alex Armitage, agent for Gavin Esler, BBC Breakfast presenter Sian Williams and Panorama and BBC Radio 2 presenter Jeremy Vine, said: ‘The BBC is very good at making itself look daft.’
By Stephanie Condron
Last updated at 2:03 AM on 1st August 2010
With regular patrons including newsreaders George Alagiah and Emily Maitlis, the issues discussed in the BBC canteen are normally serious and well-informed.
But for two years, tea-breaks have been dominated by a more mundane subject – whether canteen staff should be forced to stand while serving.
Newsnight presenter Gavin Esler, Middle East editor Jeremy Bowen and security correspondent Frank Gardner have pitched in to the fight, demanding the return of servers’ chairs.
Emily Maitlis
George Alagiah
The dispute began when Aramark, the catering firm that operates the Filling Station canteen in Television Centre, removed the stools beside cash registers.
Staff were told that in future they would have to stand, but soon began complaining to the newsreaders about aching limbs.
A star-studded petition was raised and sent to the BBC’s health-and-safety managers.
But they were unable to act because the canteen workers are employed by Aramark, not the BBC.
Finally, Corporation staff called in the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), claiming that Aramark was breaching employment law.
Under the 1974 Health And Safety At Work Act, the HSE is duty-bound to investigate alleged breaches of safety in the workplace, no matter who complains.
Now, after a seven-month inquiry, the HSE has ordered the stools to be reinstalled.
An ergonomics expert hired by Aramark had recommended that the staff stand on cushioned mats instead.
A senior BBC source said: ‘This is the main tea bar close to the newsroom and the world affairs unit.
'A lot of big-name correspondents and newsreaders use it. Many of them supported the staff, who are very popular.’
HSE inspector Andrew Verrall-Withers said: ‘You either provide chairs or show why it’s sensible not to do so. Normally, you talk and reason with people and get a quick result.
‘The majority of my work is investigating incidents in which people have been killed or badly hurt.
'The last thing I wanted to do was spend taxpayers’ money ending up in court on a relatively low-risk issue.’
He said that the investigation had cost about £2,600.
An HSE statement said: ‘Workers whose jobs can mainly be done sitting down should be given a seat. This saves fatigue and discomfort and helps reduce sickness absence.’
A BBC spokesman said last night: ‘The BBC asked Aramark to resolve the issue but contractually we were not able to compel them to replace the stools. The HSE was happy with our approach.’
An Aramark statement said: ‘We take our employee health and well-being very seriously.
'We always look at ways to improve procedures and took the internal decision to reintroduce stools. We believe that this action has been received positively.’
Alex Armitage, agent for Gavin Esler, BBC Breakfast presenter Sian Williams and Panorama and BBC Radio 2 presenter Jeremy Vine, said: ‘The BBC is very good at making itself look daft.’