A topic not talked about enough, especially among the industry professionals.
Depending on who you talk to, you are not supposed to work more than 48 hours a week.
Most contracts hover around the 40 hour mark (if they even mention hours!) yet in reality you are easily pulling 50 without thinking twice, yet I have met some who see it as a badge of honour to be doing up to 100 hour weeks with no extra financial compensation during the peak seasons. Working through the weekends also happen without question during the peak season, 'mandatory volounteering' so to speak!
The worst case is usually a single handed position where the keeper/stalker has snares to check, tasks to do (like bird feeding) before guests arrive, take them out stalking for the whole day, larder work, then lamp that night, rinse and repeat for 6 or even 7 days a week!
No one can keep that pace up forever and pulling such hours is an accident waiting to happen.
Sure an energy drink or two will perk you up for an hour or so, but when the eventual 'crash' happens, your brain is literally shutting down. It might seem harmless for someone to doze off on the side of a hill whilst waiting for something to happen but if they are at the wheel of a vehicle with guests onboard or operating machinery.
I'm pretty certain that many avoidable accidents have happened over the years could be traced back to the person' loss of judgement or ability being a direct result of lacking sufficent rest.
There is also the mental aspect that needs to be addressed, as everyone needs their own time for their family/personal life.
The truth is quite often glossed over with factors/managers being aware of whats going on, but never addressing it directly, as if they do bring it up it could be used against them in an employment tribunal.
Organisations like the Gamkeeper's Welfare Trust are doing good work, but you can't fix a leaking dam with a bathplug.
These problems are not limited to the private sector either, as people working in the industry under government/NGO's still face these issues, however these organisations often have employee trade unions where members can seek legal advice, and work-related concerns/grievances can be raised and addresed. I don't see this being a feature in the private estate world anytime soon.
Depending on who you talk to, you are not supposed to work more than 48 hours a week.
Most contracts hover around the 40 hour mark (if they even mention hours!) yet in reality you are easily pulling 50 without thinking twice, yet I have met some who see it as a badge of honour to be doing up to 100 hour weeks with no extra financial compensation during the peak seasons. Working through the weekends also happen without question during the peak season, 'mandatory volounteering' so to speak!
The worst case is usually a single handed position where the keeper/stalker has snares to check, tasks to do (like bird feeding) before guests arrive, take them out stalking for the whole day, larder work, then lamp that night, rinse and repeat for 6 or even 7 days a week!
No one can keep that pace up forever and pulling such hours is an accident waiting to happen.
Sure an energy drink or two will perk you up for an hour or so, but when the eventual 'crash' happens, your brain is literally shutting down. It might seem harmless for someone to doze off on the side of a hill whilst waiting for something to happen but if they are at the wheel of a vehicle with guests onboard or operating machinery.
I'm pretty certain that many avoidable accidents have happened over the years could be traced back to the person' loss of judgement or ability being a direct result of lacking sufficent rest.
There is also the mental aspect that needs to be addressed, as everyone needs their own time for their family/personal life.
The truth is quite often glossed over with factors/managers being aware of whats going on, but never addressing it directly, as if they do bring it up it could be used against them in an employment tribunal.
Organisations like the Gamkeeper's Welfare Trust are doing good work, but you can't fix a leaking dam with a bathplug.
These problems are not limited to the private sector either, as people working in the industry under government/NGO's still face these issues, however these organisations often have employee trade unions where members can seek legal advice, and work-related concerns/grievances can be raised and addresed. I don't see this being a feature in the private estate world anytime soon.