A HONDA worker has claimed they were bullied and threatened by management in an attempt to make them stay on when their official shift ended.

Around 60 workers at the South Marston Factory downed tools at noon on Friday after management told them they were expected to stay until 1.15pm. As a result the production line was stopped.

The shop floor worker, who has asked not to be identified, said a communique from one of the managers was the trigger for a decision for many to leave their posts at noon - the finish time the firm had confirmed just two days before.

“I had junior managers trying to intimidate me into staying, then their managers threatening me with disciplinary action," he said.

"For what? Finishing at my scheduled time? They don’t even know their own policies and they think we on the shop floor are stupid.”

They explained that according to the company’s working hours policy staff were usually told a couple of months in advance what their work patterns would be so they could organise child care, appointments and their family lives.

In recent weeks Fridays had sometimes been designated stand down days when workers had time off. Sometimes stand down days were chosen to be recovery days to allow the plant to get back on track if there had been any delays due to breakdowns.

Last Wednesday staff were told they were only required to work until noon, but when they turned up to work at 5.30am on Friday they were told in a message from one of the directors that they had to stay longer.

“The way it was worded was like a general telling his squaddies that regardless of loss of life you must follow orders.

“We all know the importance of the new American market that we have secured, but the way this was written was awful,” they said.

“What it did do was inflame and agitate workers who felt that this was a step too far and that they would only work the hours agreed as per their contract and working hours policy – midday finish.

“So when the management got wind of the workers’ intentions to finish at midday you would not believe the bullying and threats that we received.

“What makes me laugh is the fact that this was the week when Sports Direct was condemned for its Victorian workhouse practices,” they said.

“This attitude of treating workers like rubbish is everywhere, particularly at Honda.”

They added: “I have spent all weekend worrying myself about what reprisals there will be at work. If I am honest this situation has been brewing for some time as the managers have been on everyone’s back for even the smallest misdemeanour.”

When the story broke it sparked a furious debate on our website and Facebook among employees.

Antony Mark Gregory-Sargent suggested the union, Unite, had encouraged staff to walk out rather than talking to management.

He said: “The only thing this has done is wind people up. We were told if our reason for leaving at 12 was legit it wasn't a problem. At no point was anyone threatened with any sort of action.”

But Trevor Nelson said people on his zone were threatened with disciplinary action and that the reason a lot of them went was because they felt that Honda would continue to do it.

“It was felt that this cavalier attitude had to be nipped in the bud,” he said.

Another logged in as lss11051981 on our website said: “Perhaps somebody should have mentioned that particular shift on Friday was unplanned anyway and was only called on Wednesday. The shift was an extra shift on top of all the added hours, overtime and 1am finishes we've had this month.

"It's not unreasonable for employees to vent their frustration when asked to change their working hours at very late notice on what has already been a very long month.”

Unite branch secretary Donald McDougall added: “All efforts were made to find a solution, however, management refused to pull back from their stance. The agreements are clear, trigger points as agreed by both parties.

“In this instance, as always, UNITE followed the agreement in good faith, to the letter. Nobody forced anybody, all were appraised of the facts, to make their choice, each to their own. It is very easy to say it’s just one hour, but then it would be every Friday, extra Saturdays, once breached agreements become the norm, agreements are worthless and you rights will be eroded.”

Jason Smith, Director of Honda of the UK Manufacturing said in a statement: “On rare occasions and at busy times, we do ask for additional flexibility from our workforce. This has been the case over the last few weeks, as we prepare for production of the new Civic model. There are over 3,600 associates working here at our Swindon factory and they have shown great understanding, dedication and support during this busy time.

“Honda takes accusations of intimidation and bullying very seriously. We set clear expectations of how all associates, including managers, conduct themselves to ensure that we create a positive working environment."