Day 173 - 16 Oct 95 - Page 19

     
     1
     2   Q.   136.
     3        A.  Yes.
     4
     5   Q.   You said: "It is clear from the employee handbook in
     6        publication at the time at appendix 4 that after a 90 day
     7        probationary period each employee is evaluated and,
     8        depending on their level of performance, they can expect a
     9        wage rise ranging from 0 pence to 12 pence per hour
    10        depending on their standard of performance."  The 90 day
    11        probationary period, presumably -- well, is that date wise
    12        or is that number of working days?  Is it after 90 days of
    13        work or is it just 90 calendar days?
    14        A.  No, it is 90 calendar days.
    15
    16   Q.   Does it always happen at that time, or do some employees
    17        get it before then or some after?
    18        A.  Again, you are reflecting to 1979, I take it?
    19
    20   Q.   Yes.
         A.  Right.  It is due after 90 days.  I think your question
    22        is -----
    23
    24   Q.   Well, whether it would always happen after 90 days or
    25        whether it might be delayed, or whether it might be done
    26        early?
    27        A.  I cannot say.  It is a long time ago.  I cannot
    28        remember specifically, that question.
    29
    30   Q.   But, basically, it was set for 90 days, was it?
    31        A.  Yes, it was set for 90 days, and the Company policy
    32        would be that it should be administered at 90 days or
    33        shortly thereafter.
    34
    35   Q.   Right.  You would expect that, by and large, to be adhered
    36        to?
    37        A.  Well, that is the policy.  That was the policy of the
    38        Company, and that is what the managers were instructed to
    39        do.
    40
    Q.   Has that remained the policy ever since then?
    42        A.  Has which policy remained?
    43
    44   Q.   In terms of the 90 day probationary period and getting the
    45        wage rate, getting the performance review and possibly wage
    46        rise after 90 days; or has that changed?
    47        A.  That has changed.
    48
    49   Q.   That has changed?
    50        A.  Yes. 
    51 
    52   Q.   When did that change? 
    53        A.  It has changed in various degrees over the years,
    54        because of the policy we have of looking at rates of pay on
    55        an annual basis, in addition to giving performance raises.
    56        So, to be specific, when it was changed I could not tell
    57        you.  We have a performance review system that takes place
    58        four times a year.
    59
    60   Q.   But is the probationary period still 90 days?