JCB may cost us our home because I didn't volunteer for overtime

THE scoring system used by JCB to determine who loses their job has come under fire from a single dad.

Stephen Eames has been laid off by the digger-maker after 22 years with the firm.

The 48-year-old, from Sudbury, was first told his position on the production line at the Rocester headquarters was at risk last year.

After surviving two rounds of redundancies at the factory, his luck ran out last month.

He says the explanation his managers gave at an appeal hearing was that he had not volunteered for enough overtime during the company's more prosperous times.

Mr Eames, who is the sole carer for his six-year-old daughter Sophie, said: "My partner left when Sophie was only a nipper because of health problems.

"I've tried my best to make sure I can jig my home life and work commitments by putting in place a strict routine.

"I was always punctual and rarely off sick but what it did mean was that I didn't put myself forward for any extra hours as I would never have seen my daughter.

"It seems unfair that my personal circumstances have counted against me. It was a huge shock when I was told I no longer had a job. The whole experience has been incredibly traumatic."

Mr Eames was initially given 24 points under JCB's scoring system, although it was later dropped to 22.

He said: "By JCB's own admission I have been a very reliable employee over the years.

"I'm completely bewildered as to why I was docked two points. I really believe I've been unduly treated. When lads who only joined the company a couple of years ago keep their jobs, you can't help but think managers re-jig the scoring according to who they like.

"Point scoring is the fairest method if it's used properly but this is a complete farce."

Mr Eames now joins nearly 1,600 of his former colleagues who are desperately seeking work.

And he faces the very real possibility of losing his home.

He said: "The fact of the matter is that I still have a mortgage to pay. My redundancy package isn't going to last forever.

"JCB's nominated charity is the NSPCC but, in my mind, the decision to axe me will have a terrible impact on my young daughter."

Mr Eames, whose brother still works at JCB, first secured a job with the company in 1986. He was then laid off in 1990 only to be asked back five weeks later.

But he admits the likelihood of that happening this time round is slim.

He said: "I can't see this recession going away any time soon. For the sake of my daughter, I'm just hoping I'll be we one of the lucky ones to find a job."

JCB insisted is had always been "sympathetic" to Mr Eames' circumstances and never requested him to work overtime.

A spokesman said: "In a redundancy situation, JCB uses 'employee performance assessment forms' which assess at risk employees on a number of criteria, one of which is ability to work overtime.

"Stephen had altered his childcare arrangements in August 2008 which meant he would have been available for overtime if required. However, he failed to notify the company about this change in circumstances and consequently this affected his score during the assessment process."

The company also said scores were liable to fluctuate.

The spokesman added: "Mr Eames was put at risk on two occasions between June 2008 and April this year and consequently underwent two assessments. These can fluctuate as they did in this case."