Employee Handbook

Introduction

Fryz Fish & Chips has been owned and operated by Caroline and Robert Brownlee since November 2008. Our policy is to give our customers excellent service and quality together with value for money.

We are sure you will find us a fair company to work for. We require high standards and hard work but give a fair reward. We pride ourselves on our reputation as a business which cares about our customers and our staff.

Fryz Fish & Chips is an equal opportunity employer.

We reserve the right to amend or add to this handbook without notice. If you are unsure of anything in this booklet, please talk to us.

Absence, attendance & time keeping

If you are unable to attend work, it is important that you inform the shop as soon as possible on the first day of absence, at least four hours before the start of your shift. This can be done either by phone call or WhatsApp (01733 269134). If you feel unwell at work you should inform your supervisor so that the appropriate action may be taken. 

As we serve food we have a very strict policy on contagious symptoms. You may not come to work if you have had any sickness or diarrhoea. you will need to be clear of  these symptoms for 48 hours before returning to work. Similarly you need to be clear 24 hours of any temperature before returning to work.

We enforce a zero-tolerance absence policy. You will have to attend a ‘Return to Work’ interview for all absences. See also your Contract of Employment.

We attach great importance to punctuality and attendance. You should be at your position of work by the time on the rota. Therefore, we suggest you arrive at the shop 10 minutes before this time.

Company Property

It is the duty of all employees to maintain and protect company property. Removal of company property from the branch will be treated as theft. Damaged or missing property must be reported immediately to your supervisor.

Correspondence

The branch address should not be used for personal correspondence. Any personal correspondence will be returned to the sender.

Disciplinary & Capability Procedure

The purpose of the Disciplinary and Capability Procedures (stated in your Contract of Employment) are to ensure that staff performance meets our required standards. Please familiarise yourself with these procedures which can be located on the Staff Portal.

Employee’s Property

You will be provided with your own locker and padlock on your first of employment. It is your responsibility to keep it clean and locked to protect you valuables. Phones must either be kept in your locker or on the basket on the desk. Phones may not be kept in your pocket.

Fire

It is essential that all staff are fully aware of fire regulations. Your manager will inform you of the procedure for evacuating the premises and how to call the Fire Brigade. You will also be made familiar with the fire fighting equipment.

First Aid & Accidents

If you have an accident, or you use the First Aid box for any other reason, you must inform your supervisor at the earliest opportunity. It is your responsibility to make yourself aware of the location of the First Aid box.

Grievance & appeals procedure

It is important to resolve problems as soon as they arise. Talk to your manager at the earliest opportunity. See the Grievance Procedure on the Staff Portal.

Health and safety

Fryz Fish & Chips’ policy statement on Health and Safety at work is displayed in the shop. It is important that you read and understand this notice. Furthermore, Fryz Fish & Chips Health and Safety manual is available on the Staff Portal. 

Holidays

All Holidays are at the discretion of the manager and we ask you to provide as much notice as possible. You are entitled to 5.6 weeks paid holiday per year. Bank holidays will be paid on top of this (if these fall on your usual days of work). Any outstanding holiday will be paid if you leave. If you leave and you have been paid more holiday than you are due this will be deducted from your final pay. The Fryz Fish & Chips holiday year starts on 1st November and ends on 31st October. 

Holidays can be booked by filling in a holiday request form (copies of the form can be found next to the desk where we store paperwork) and posting it in the staff postbox. This is checked weekly and Caz will check if the dates requested are available and inform you whether it has been authorised. We ask that you book a full or half weeks holiday wherever possible. If you are needing a single day off work we ask that you try to swap or find cover for this yourself; a member of senior management can advise you of who you can ask to swap with if you're not sure. 

Hours of Work & Flexibility

You will be informed of the number of hours and days in your normal working week. Staff are expected to demonstrate flexibility with respect to shift patterns and within their role. We operate a termly rosta where you hours will be fixed. These may change after each term but you will be given the opportunity at the start of your employment to agree the hours you are able to work. It is your responsibility to inform the Senior Management team if your circumstances change. This needs to be done with at least 2 weeks notice.

The current two weeks rostas will be shared with you online. Please use the tabs on the bottom left of the rosta screen to select the correct week.

Your manager will ensure you are given sufficient training to enable you to be as flexible as possible.

Intoxication / banned substances

Anyone who is found to be under the influence of any intoxicant or banned substance, or found to be in possession of any banned substance whilst on duty will be dismissed for gross misconduct (see your Contract of Employment).

Lost property

If you find or lose any property please report it to your supervisor.

Maternity and Paternity provisions

If you, or your partner, become pregnant you may be entitled to maternity or paternity pay (in accordance with the statutory regulations).

Meal breaks

Working Time Regulations ensure you are entitled to a 20 min rest break if your shift is more than 6 hours. For workers between 16 and 18 you are entitled to a 30 min break if your shift is more than 4.5 hours. Any other breaks are at the discretion of your supervisor and are not official or your entitlement. You may also be called back immediately.

Payment of wages

You will be paid four weekly. You will be sent a wage slip every four weeks which shows your gross wages and any deductions that have been made. Wages are paid directly into your bank or building society account.

Personal details

We will need to keep personal details such as your address, phone number(s) and email address. Please ensure that you notify your manager of any changes. These will not be shared with other team members.

References

We will apply for references for all staff that are offered employment and that offer is subject to the references being satisfactory.

Retirement

The retirement age for staff is 65 years. All staff are required to retire at this age.

Risk assessment

In keeping with current legislation Fryz Fish & Chips regularly carries out and reviews risk assessments on all aspects of the Business. If you feel that there is an aspect of your duties that has unwarranted risk involved, please inform your manager so the risk can be assessed. The risk may be to you, other staff or the public. Copies of the Risk Assessments are available on the Staff Portal.

Searches

It is a condition of your employment that whilst on shop premises you must be willing to be searched. If you wish, you may be accompanied by an independent witness being present during the search. Women may only be searched by women and similarly men by men.

Sick pay

Fryz Fish & Chips will pay Statutory Sick Pay in strict accordance with the statutory regulations.

Smoking and Vaping

Smoking and vaping are not allowed in any areas of work or at any time during your shifts. Further, we request that you do not smoke or vape while wearing your uniform, e.g., leaving work.

Tax details

The PAYE reference number for Fryz Limited is 120/ VA62702. The relevant Tax Office for individual tax enquiries is:

Cambridgeshire Tax Office
Customer Operations Employer Office BP4009
Chillingham House
NE98 1ZZ

Tel: 0845 302 1453 

Telephone calls

Private telephone calls, either incoming or outgoing, are not permitted on the shop telephone. If you have to make or receive an urgent call, please talk to your supervisor, who is likely to take an understanding view.

Till shortages

Fryz Fish & Chips reserves the right to hold staff fully responsible for shortages in the till and deduct them from your wages should we see fit.

Uniform standards & personal hygiene

It is essential that you maintain high personal standards of appearance at all times. The following is a guide to the required standard:

• Keep yourself and your uniform clean and ironed at all times;

• Hair should be clean, tidy and off the face. Hair should be tied back (preferably in a bun);

• Use an effective deodorant daily;

• Avoid touching nose, lips, ears and hair whilst handling food;

• Wash your hands appropriately using the correct method;

• Wear the correct uniform and protective clothing, e.g., aprons & hats. You may not wear outdoor clothing in food areas. You must get changed into uniform at work (including shoes);

• Finger nails must be kept short and clean, no nail varnish or false nails are allowed;

• No personal jewellery is allowed;

• Shoes should have non-slip soles and will be provided;

• Animals are not allowed anywhere in the shop.

You are responsible for your uniform. If it is lost or damaged you will be expected to pay for it. Uniforms remain the property of Fryz Fish & Chips and should be returned when you leave.

Visitors

Please ask your friends and relations not to contact or visit you whilst you are at work. You should always avoid serving them yourself.