A MANUFACTURING company has faced criticism after employees at its Bodelwyddan site were not promised a day off on the date of Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral.

Reflexallen, an automotive Tier 1 supplier, offered workers at its Bodelwyddan base on Royal Welch Avenue the option to take a day’s holiday (paid or unpaid), or work their planned shift (paid, with additional benefits).

The Queen’s state funeral will be held at 11am on Monday, September 19, a day which was declared a bank holiday by King Charles III following her death on September 8.

Though, on Tuesday (September 13), one worker at Reflexallen’s Bodelwyddan site told the Journal accused the company of showing its employees a “complete lack of respect”.

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An email, shown to the Journal, was circulated to employees on Tuesday detailing the company’s arrangements, which have since been amended.

The arrangements for Monday at Reflexallen in Bodelwyddan are now as follows:

• All employees were given the option to watch the funeral both on- and off-site. In both cases, employees should clock out at 10am and clock back in at 1pm.

• All plant employees who work their shift on Monday will be rewarded with an additional 2.5 hours’ pay.

• For those on shift between 10am-1pm, this time would be paid even though not working.

• For those on any other shift, the full shift would be worked, but an additional 2.5 hours would be paid.

• The company will provide free refreshments for all who wish to watch the funeral from the canteen (this was not written in the statement, but was planned by the company).

• Anyone who wanted the day off could request so from their line manager (this was a verbal communication, following the initial written communication).

Following internal consultation with team members from all departments, the company has since amended such written communication to reflect the verbal communication provided after the statement was issued.

All of the above arrangements have been shared with the employees’ trade union, GMB.

The employee, who asked not to be named, told the Journal on Tuesday: “The general feeling on the shop floor is disgust.

“There are 400 employees here - I would say 50 per cent are not coming in due to the strength of feeling, regardless of the consequences, and want to watch the funeral at home.

“I’ve spoken to about 30 or 40 people, and I haven’t heard one person say they’re happily going to attend work.

“We believe that other companies in the area are closing. It’s a mark of respect.

“I’m not a strong monarchist in any way, but I do have a sense of right and wrong. It’s the respectful thing to do; I just can’t believe that we’re not doing it.

“It’s not a case of just wanting a day off; the people who aren’t coming in were perfectly prepared to lose a day’s pay, rather than have a public holiday.”

Reflexallen had added in its initial communication to workers that its decision to keep production running was due to “significant backlogs in deliveries” amid the threat of “huge financial penalties”.

Though, the employee attributed this to “two or three years of mismanagement”.

Asked if Reflexallen had offered fair compromises, including allowing workers to watch the funeral the site, the employee said: “I don’t think people care about that.

“The majority of people want to watch the funeral in peace and quiet. People want to pay their respects at home.

“I don’t think watching it in a staff canteen, with the likelihood that you might get somebody saying something out of place (is good enough).

“I don’t think they’ll budge. The thing about meeting customer orders is due to two or three years of mismanagement.

“The majority of my colleagues are unhappy and realise the company we work for is showing a complete lack of respect.”

In response, Reflexallen said that the short time frame with which notice about this bank holiday was given made stopping production altogether on Monday infeasible.

A Reflexallen spokesperson said: “Based on the various options provided to employees, the current confirmed attendance on Monday is above 50 per cent.

“We had and continue to communicate with other local business and all decisions have been based on their own circumstances.

“Manufacturing companies in our area who are required to operate have also made the decision to remain open on Monday, in line with their business and manning needs.

“Unfortunately, as a 24/7 operation, we do not have the safety stock in place to stop production for one full day and our line stop penalties would further impact such ability to recover.

“The Queen’s Jubilee bank holiday earlier this year was observed and the production stopped for one day, as this was a planned event.

“With the difficulties and challenges in the supply chain today, we cannot react to an unplanned stop with nine days’ notice.”

Having been accused of showing a “complete lack of respect” to its staff, Reflexallen added that its decision to amend its plans for Monday was based on listening to the views of employees.

“We have offered employees the time off, both paid and unpaid options. We made it very clear in the first communication that people are free to go home and watch the funeral with their families.

“To watch the funeral in the canteen is just one of many options that have been provided to our employees.

“However, those that do decide to watch from the canteen will be provided with free refreshments on behalf of the company.

“We have worked tirelessly to recover the situation of the last few years. A new management team is now in place and a steady recovery has been made.

“This team effort towards recovery is a long journey, but requires the dedication and efforts of everybody.

“We respect all views from all of our employees. For this reason, we listened to varying opinions and decided to adjust our preparations for September 19 accordingly.

“The company must operate, albeit at a reduced rate, but due to our situation, we cannot afford to close completely on such short notice and should not be seen in a negative light.”

Elsewhere, Airbus will be observing the national day of mourning in honour of the Queen and to provide an opportunity for employees to pay their respects.

Kronospan is also observing the statutory holiday to allow those employees wishing to pay their respects to be able to do so.

All of JCB’s UK factories will be closed on the day of the funeral, including the two JCB Transmissions’ plants in Wrexham.