The metaphorical unicorn that this greenkeeper never saw

The metaphorical unicorn that this greenkeeper never saw

I was talking to a head greenkeeper the other day, and he was probing me about human resources-related stuff (occupational hazard!).

One of the things he was keen to know was whether there was a legal requirement for an employer to have a handbook that they gave to their staff.

I asked him why he was so interested, and I was pretty surprised by his answer:

“Because I was given my contract, which refers to the handbook a lot. So I asked the Club Manager for a copy of this handbook. He said I should think of it like a unicorn.”

As you can imagine, I was a little bit confused by this, so he elaborated…

Apparently the Club Manager had told him that the handbook was magical, like a unicorn: everyone knows what it is, but no one has ever seen it in real life!

Now there are a couple of problems with this:

  1.  Golf clubs (just like any other business) need to issue their staff with employee handbooks on policies and procedures
  2. This golf club was proud of being incompetent

It is just not on for golf clubs to try and pull a fast one, or in this case, a magical one, over their employees, and I’ve actually been in conversations recently with BIGGA about running some seminars for greenkeepers to help them understand their employment rights a little better.

Have you got a ‘magical handbook’? Best magic one into reality if you have…

The metaphorical unicorn that this employee never saw

Have a Question? Get in touch below...

    If you are an employee and feel that you have been treated badly, then we strongly advise you to contact ACAS:

    Call the ACAS Helpline on 0300 123 1100 for free support and advice.

    Simply get in touch and they'll provide you with clear and confidential guidance about any kind of dispute or query that you have about relationship issues within the workplace.

    You may want to know about employment rights and rules, best practice or you may need advice about a dispute.

    Whatever it is, just give ACAS a call, their team are on hand to respond within the hours: Monday-Friday, 8am-8pm and Saturday, 9am-1pm.

    Who We Work With