What is a bad employer?
What is a bad employer? We have found the perfect example!
Breaking nearly all of the HR working directives, failing to observe health and safety, and forcing long and inhumane working conditions on his staff, could this person be the worst employer in the world?
Despite being very much loved by everyone around the world, those who work for him could well have a very different opinion. This may be due to his working practices and also constant demands for nothing less than the best.
In addition, We are sure you are asking yourself, ‘who is this terrible employer who flouts all the employment laws?. It’s someone you’ll all be very familiar with: Santa Claus.
Here’s a look at why you should be very happy that this festive season you don’t work at the North Pole.
Hazardous working conditions
There’s absolutely no indications that Santa pays any regard whatsoever to ‘elf and safety’. With all his attention focused on the objectives, he completely ignores any mishaps that could occur.
Furthermore, Santa’s sleigh is clearly overloaded with presents, and that bag of gifts doesn’t seem to be secure in any way. Have you ever seen Santa wearing a seatbelt?. Let’s not even start to discuss how fast he needs to travel in order to cover the globe in just one night.
It’s not just about Santa’s safety. The working conditions in the factory seem to be dubious at best. The main cause of this may be toys stacked up everywhere causing a number of possible work accidents. This also restricts workers from essential fire exits. We think it is the reindeer who have the worst treatment. They are forced to land on slippery roofs with no steady footing. Reindeer also have to wait while Santa delivers to each house. It’s just a matter of time before those poor creatures suffer an injury during their working hours.
Failure to plan and delegate
With so many households to deliver to, there’s a huge pressure on Santa’s employees to get everything ready on time. However, with children in bed when Santa arrives, there’s no reason why the big man couldn’t enlist some temporary help. This would reduce pressure on the elves.
Complying with the working time directive
In the countdown to the big event, the elves are put under a lot of pressure. However, Santa’s workers have the right to refuse to work for longer than 48 hours in any given week. It is very doubtful that given the time constraints, the elves are given the opportunity to assert their rights.
For Santa himself, he’s an accident waiting to happen. With roughly 200 million square miles to cover, the 24-hour delivery period, there’s no sign that Santa takes a break. While his commitment to the cause is admirable, there is no indication that he rests for at least 11 hours. Unless you count drinking milk and eating cookies at each stop.
Failure to Innovate
Think about it: Santa is such a magical entity that he manages to visit around 200 million children in a single 24-hour period. He has a factory with elves and has reindeer that can fly. Yet he still refuses to update his methods of delivery.
As an employer, Santa’s method s of production is still entirely manual. This forces the elves in to hard labour to produce the goods.
Surely with all his powers and magical prowess, Santa could have come up with a more effective way to deliver presents. He could think of ways to reduce the strain on his workers.
This year when you’re unwrapping your presents under the tree, just remember all the work and effort which has gone in to the production and delivering the goodies. Thank your lucky stars that you don’t work at the north pole!
What is a bad employer? That would be Santa Clause.
For more information, contact us at The HR Booth on 01383 668178 or email us through our website.
