The two main unions in the Balearics, the CCOO and the UGT, are denouncing what they claim to be widespread workplace abuse in the islands' hospitality sector.
Despite there being technical full employment in the Balearics, there continue to be personnel shortages in the sector. These are resulting in work overload and what are described as flagrant violations of the hospitality labour agreement. The unions point in particular to forced overtime and the loss of days off.
Silvia Montejano of the CCOO says that there have always been abuses in hospitality but that the shortage of workers this year has led to numerous breaches of the agreement. She feels that the situation is becoming "chronic". The CCOO maintains that there are employees who are giving up what should be two days off per week and are instead working full days on reduced pay.
There are issues with rest periods during the working day. These are meant to be at least fifteen to thirty minutes, but businesses are not respecting the regulations, while a minimum of twelve hours between shifts is also being flouted.
The unions highlight the renewed prevalence of what used to be a common abuse but which had largely been stamped out - dismissing employees after their trial periods as a way of bending rules designed to prevent temporary contracts.
The heat has been having its impact. Allied to overwork, this can result in dizziness, blackouts and sick leave. And if workers are off sick, the workload for others just increases.
José García of the UGT says that complaints about workplace irregularities have shot up because of unfair dismissals and non-compliance with work schedules. The union has hired a law firm as reinforcement in dealing with all these complaints. Garcia adds that there are companies which make seemingly very attractive job offers in terms of salary. "They promise them a salary above the agreement, but what they don't tell them is that it will all be based on overtime."
The Balearic government's employment inspectorate has programmed 960 inspections in July and August, having taken on an additional 24 inspectors from other Spanish regions.
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There is more heavy traffic heading towards Palma in the winter than during the summer. How do you explain that ? And what a self service builder’s merchant has got to with a sit down serviced restaurant is beyond me, and most probably the company you most unwisely, in my opinion, mention, as well.
Donald JumpApparently you haven't been around long. 10 years ago, customer service here used to be something like what you describe. But that's changed significantly for the better, as competition from more experienced retailers and management has pushed the old out, adopting a much more customer friendly attitude. And the locals are also enjoying this fresh attitude, and increasingly patronising those that provide responsive service. It's a completely different attitude now. There are a number of exceptions. For example the age-old small family owned service businesses that rely on local customer loyalty rather than price or service.. and surprisingly, one large retailer, Bauhaus: who focus almost entirely on pushing product and exhibit truly dismal customer service. But I sense that's a management incompetence issue. Eventually, it will come back to bite them, their competition will eat them alive, and the management will eventually be thrown out. Otherwise, in restaurants and bars and hospitality, as well as most retail, customer service has improved radically. But I don't go to British resorts, so your experience is likely to be different. Regarding salaries and cost of living, yes, it's expensive, especially in the resorts. I have to suspect that most who work there would wisely avoid living in that overpriced chaos. That may help explain the heavy traffic heading towards Palma every morning.
I’ll make two guesses. The new labour law has complicated hiring and firing staff. So owners aren’t keeping them on long enough to avoid having to make them “permanent”. Cost of living and rental prices, something restaurant owners can’t solve. Tips are way down due to the increased use of cards and inflation. By the way I’m used to getting a multitude of negative votes. I now consider it a badge of honour.
Donald JumpNo guesses? Just dislikes.
Has anyone else noticed that the level of service and friendliness has just about shattered here in Mallorca? The staff in the restaurants are treating their clientele like crap. I've travelled the length and breadth of Spain and nowhere else is the level as terrible as it is here. Anyone have any guesses to why this might be?