Today my employer asked me to sign a 'flood' policy, where it states that I'm required to assist in the removal of stock/goods etc in the event of a flood. I'm also required to clean up afterwards.

It states that I can be contacted at any time, 24/7, public holiday etc, and that I don't get paid for any additional hours worked.  

It also states that I will be forced to take annual leave if I'm unable to work due to flooding.

Now I wouldn't mind helping in the event of a natural disaster, however I'm concerned that with Christmas coming, and rising rivers nearby, that I may be asked to leave my family on Christmas, or on the surrounding holidays to come and evacuate my employers stock. Not only that, but I won't get paid extra for it?  

Does anyone know what the standard laws/procedures are in instances of natural disasters?

My employer is fully insured against flood – so can only assume that most costs related to flood (ie. hiring of removalists, cleaners etc) would be covered in their policy.

So is it fair for an employer to expect their staff to come in, unpaid, particularly on weekends/public holidays etc, to evacuate stock/contents, and then clean up after a natural disaster?     

I wouldn't mind helping clean up if it was in my normal work hours and I got paid my normal rates of pay, otherwise noooooo waaaaay!

codswal wrote on Jan 13^th, 2011 at 11:19am:



Well cods, we won't hear about the good bosses on ozpolitic, just like we won't hear about the good Muslims, that's the nature of the forum.

These "Contracts" that Employers are 'bullying' workers into signing are spilling over from New Zealand where they are pretty rife.
As far as I know, these documents are not 'legal', but can be if you sign them.

I've had a few in my working years and I just scribble something other than my signature like "asswipe" and incorrectly mispell my 'printed' name ...they never catch on.
Also, if you refuse and they sack you - your chances for "unfair dismissal" compensation are pretty high.

I was also dissapointed I saw the title and thought at last a story about a good employer.

Even I have heard the rumor that there are a few out there. Next time maybe.

true or not and it is almost certainly NOT true, any employee that refused to help out in a flood is a pretty stupid one. Insurance doesnt cover everything. and when business gets tight and some employees have to go, geuess who will be kept the longest? the ones who support intimes of trouble.

IMFULLOFIT understands absolutely nothing about the mutual responsibility relationships that exist in many workforces. If my office was about to be flooded Id expect my employees to help shift things out of the way. Id probably pay them for the time but anyone who refused to work unless that was guaranteed woudl probably not last long.