The contract is a bit of a c*ck-up and very confusing. However, I have been assured by a man I trust very highly within Bristow that we do in fact get 28 days leave. Contracts may need to be reissued to reflect this.
So it would seem there has been a mistake made with the issue of these contracts. Not a good start for some of you in your civilian careers.
My advice:
Given it’s a “mistake” don’t sign the botched contract, request and await a new one.
When it arrives:
Take your time to understand every single word and their implications for you. Even when you think you understand every single word take it to a professional employment lawyer and have them look it over for you. It might cost a little in the short term but help you in the long term. A contract shouldn’t be confusing and therefore not signed until any confusion is cleared up with your prospective employer.
These links may be of some use to you in obtaining more advice.
https://www.gov.uk/pay-and-work-rights-helpline
http://www.acas.org.uk
Finally you are under no obligation to join but it should be worth your consideration to join a union. One is currently negotiating indirectly on your behalf right now.
Welcome to Civie SAR!! Your career long battle to maintain/improve Ts & Cs has already begun (before your foot is through the door….. what a shame). No doubt a concept that will go against the grain initially but you must overcome that discomfort very quickly or risk a shafting in this capital “shareholders rule” world.
Isn’t it amazing how inferior contracts can accidently by mistake with no one knowing slip into envelopes and find themselves in the hands of new recruits. Someone really must stop leaving banana skins about!
