UK Power Networks subsite

• About Randstad
• Contract Overview
• Booking Process
• Pay and Charge Rate Structure
• Attraction, Selection and Testing
• Escalation Procedure
• Flex-Associate Management
• Frequently asked questions
• Flex-Associate of the Month Nomination
• Appendices and Forms

 

Flex-Associate Management

Management of Flex Associates

Once we have placed a Flex Associate with you, we continually manage the workers until the end of their assignment or until they become permanent members of UK Power Networks staff. We obtain first week feedback from Team Managers and the Flex Associate and continue with monthly feedback sessions with both parties until completion of the assignment. This allows us to monitor the performance and progress of each Flex Associate and work with the Managers effectively. By having this regular contact with both parties we are seeking to resolve issues before they become problems and long term, it allows us to monitor the quality of the Flex Associates being placed and drive forward service improvements.

Flex Care

Once a Flex Associate is working for RIS, we endeavour to give them the best possible service to encourage performance and aid retention. We have a variety of measures in place to ensure that Flex Associates feel valued in the work place.

• Flex Associate of The Month - Where a Manager nominates an outstanding Flex member of staff and we recognise their achievements with a certificate and £25.00 of vouchers and or champagne
• Monthly Newsletter - to assist with communication and sharing good news
• Regular Competitions
• Onsite - Member of RIS Team available for assigned periods each week
• Candidate Introduction scheme. Good people know good people, and we encourage recommendations within the business.

What constitutes employment?

Entitlement to full employment rights depends on whether a Flex Associate can satisfy a tribunal that they work for UK Power Networks on a basis that amounts to employment.

Whether a Flex Associate has potential "worker" or "employment" rights will, generally, depend on the work they do, the extent to which they are "controlled" by UK Power Networks and the contractual arrangements under which their services are supplied.

All Flex Associates supplied to UK Power Networks work under a contract of employment and hold employee status with randstad. Although randstad does not guarantee work as their contract states 0 hours, they are 'employees' of randstad. In order to further minimise the risk of an implied employment relationship between the Flex Associate and UK Power Networks, UK Power Networks  should co-operate with Randstad by following any advice given with regards to the management of the Flex work force.

Supervising your Flex Associates

The day to day supervision of Flex Associates, eg dress code, timekeeping, adherence to general policies and procedures are all outlined by RIS in the Flex Associates induction to their assignment. A copy of the standard Randstad flex-associate handbook and the UK Power Networks flex work with handbooks are included in the appendices section. If you witness, as their Manager, a Flex Associate not adhering to these guidelines it is acceptable to address this verbally with your Flex Associate. You should not however formalise any action, in line with UK Power Networks' procedures, directly with them. Any formal discussions must be directed through your RIS Account Specialist, who will outline the concerns to the Flex Associate and follow any agreed processes.

Minimising Risk

Choose terminology carefully: do not call Flex Associates "employees" or "staff".

Do not respond to requests for information such as references, mortgage references, and landlord applications but refer them to RIS.

You should not release any Flex Associates without consulting with your RIS Account Specialist.

Training: RIS recommend that the training provided by UK Power Networks is purely related to the assignment needs i.e. for the Flex Associate to carry out their duties within their assignment. It is also our recommendation that Flex Associates are not sent on further training for future development within EDF Energy or that they take part in internal Development Programmes.

Appraisals: RIS recommend that UK Power Networks do not conduct formal appraisals with Flex Associates at any time. One to one meetings can be conducted for feedback as this is necessary in some temporary assignments to monitor service standards. This must not be documented on UK Power Networks paper work. If a record is needed this must be completed on blank paperwork and a record of it held with RIS on the Flex Associates candidate file.

Promotion: This cannot happen without prior consultation with RIS and a mutual agreement from all parties, as Flex Associates accept specific assignments when they are engaged. Therefore if a worker is to be assigned greater responsibilities whilst on assignment, UK Power Networks should discuss this in the first instance with the Account Specialist at RIS who will renegotiate the pay and charge rates and redefine the role and contractual agreements with the Flex Associate.

Discipline: UK Power Networks should not engage in any disciplinary matters directly with the Flex Associate.. Any concerns or issues with the standards of service provided by Flex Associate must be brought to the attention of the Randstad Account Specialist, who will then take appropriate action.

If UK Power Networks take it upon themselves to follow statutory procedures in relation to the temporary workforce this may increase the risk of an employment relationship being implied (possibly through an Employment Tribunal) as between the temporary worker and UK Power Networks .

NOTE: Health and Safety is an important exception to the above, it is UK Power Networks' responsibility to provide for the health and safety of the temporary workforce to the same extent as they would in relation to their own employees.

Flex-Associate release process

If a Flex Associate is not working out as well as you had expected you need to contact your RIS Account Specialist in the first instance. Under the Contract of Employment Randstad operates a strike process, whereby if 3 strikes are obtained then the Flex Associate's assignment is ended. However, each case will be reviewed on an individual basis and treated fairly and equally, to ensure the best outcome for all involved. As soon you have any concerns regarding your Flex Associate, you should inform your RIS Account Specialist immediately.

Please note that the "strike process" is separate from and does not constitute a statutory disciplinary procedure.

Holiday booking process

Each UK Power Networks site differs slightly on how they prefer the Flex Associates to request holiday. In summary, RIS will not automatically authorise any holidays for flex-associates; this will be done via liaison with UK Power Networks, as it must fall in line with your business requirements. Your RIS Account Specialist will advise the Flex Associates at their induction of how to request holiday for their specific site. If you wish to understand the holiday process for your site, please refer to your RIS Account Specialist.