Version 4.1 | October 2023
<aside> <img src="/icons/home_gray.svg" alt="/icons/home_gray.svg" width="40px" /> For all generic Acorn by Synergie information, please refer to your Agency Worker Handbook.
It contains further information about working for Acorn by Synergie.
<aside> <img src="/icons/chat-user_gray.svg" alt="/icons/chat-user_gray.svg" width="40px" /> Your Account Managers are:
Xavier Ayling-Brasnell (Branch Manager)
T 01752 265 500 (Plymouth)
M 07786 854 726
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Rittal CSM address: Broadley Park Rd, Plymouth PL6 7EZ
Branch address: 58 New George Street, Plymouth, Devon PL1 1AR
<aside> <img src="/icons/arrow-right-basic_gray.svg" alt="/icons/arrow-right-basic_gray.svg" width="40px" /> Welcome to Acorn and Rittal-CSM, this handbook is designed to introduce you to the company and help advise you on the important details you will need as an Agency Worker.
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Now part of the global Friedhelm Loh Group, Rittal was founded in 1961, and has continuously evolved into the world’s leading systems provider for enclosures, power distribution, climate control, IT infrastructure and software & services.
Located in Plymouth since 1986, Rittal-CSM specialises in the design and manufacture of metal enclosures and racking systems for the electronics industry and global IT infrastructure companies.
One of our top priorities is ensuring that our workers are paid correctly and on-time every week.
Wages are paid on a weekly basis, one week in arrears.
Method of payment will be direct debit into a bank/building society of your choice each Friday. If there are any changes to your circumstances, please inform Acorn immediately.
You will be given a clock card by Rittal-CSM please ensure you clock in at the start of your shift and out when you finish. It is important you do this so we have the correct hours to process for you.
It is important that you remember your clock card as this can affect your payment, if you do forget your clock card please inform your GL immediately so they can log your hours worked.
Another important reason for clocking correctly is that this ensures you are on the fire roll call register. If you forget your clock card you must use the fire roll call book.
This is located behind the door of the HR office this is important that you fill this in as in the event of a fire/drill Rittal-CSM know to look for you.
Only people who forget their cards need to use the fire roll call book.
If you are absent from work due to illness or injury, you must ensure that you adhere to the following procedure: Sickness and absence must be reported a minimum of 2 hours before your shift is due to start please call the Acorn mobile number on 07966 499 971.
If there is no one in the office people can leave a message on 01752 207 961.
For out-of-hours absence contact Xavier Ayling-Brasnell on 07786 854 726.
Please make contact personally unless you are physically unable to do so.
If you need to leave your shift due to illness you must inform your GL before you leave and contact Acorn.
You need to do this every day for your period of absence unless stated at the commencement of the absence and you have a Fit Note from your GP stating that you are not fit for work for a specific period of time.
Complete a Self-Certification Form for any absence of seven days or less. Provide a doctor’s note (‘Fit Note’) for absences of seven days or more. Failure to provide these documents may affect your eligibility for statutory sick pay (SSP) which is payable for absences in excess of three days and is paid at the current SSP rate.
Keep in regular contact with your Acorn Account Manager regarding your return to work date.
A return to work interview will be carried out after each period of absence (to check that you are well enough to return to work and to discuss any on-going or persistent absence problems). A Sickness Absence Report Form containing a self-certification and return to work record will be completed for each period of absence.
It is important that absence is kept to a minimum as when you are absent from work, it can have the following consequences:
Your level of absence will be monitored and if you are absent on three separate occasions in a rolling 12-month period, you will be required to attend an absence review meeting. During this meeting, we will discuss your absence record and the reasons for your absences. At this point, a decision will be made as to whether you can continue in your assignment or whether your assignment will be terminated.
For the purpose of clarification, any unauthorised lateness is considered as a period of absence, as you are away from your expected work for an amount of time.
Smoking and vaping are only allowed in designated areas provided. Smoking and vaping are not permitted anywhere else on site and are restricted to official break times only.
On-site parking is available you will be issued with full details when you start.
All holidays must be authorised by your Group Leader.
The holiday procedure is:
The holiday year runs from January to December. If you are on assignment for 12 months or more please ensure you take accrued leave within this period. No holiday can be carried over.
All workers placed at Rittal-CSM must wear safety shoes and high-vis jacket whilst on the shop floor. Always wear long trousers and long long-sleeved top. Safety glasses are required in some areas.
It is strictly forbidden to bring alcohol/illegal substances onto the premises. It is also forbidden for anyone to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol whilst on assignment. Failure to adhere to these instructions will likely result in your assignment being terminated.
On-site subsidised canteen offering hot meals on days and evening shifts. Counter Service is card payment only but there are vending machines available 24 hours a day which take cash. These are fully stocked with meals, drinks and snacks along with the use of Microwaves.