Clarifying the Schedule of Reservations
Page 19
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By "Tantalus "
ALREADY much publicity has been given in the daily Press and over the air to the procedure in connection with the new Revised Schedule of Reserved Occupations. As different principles are
involved, it is of supreme importance that employers as well as employees should become fully acquainted with the details of the new schedule. This edition sets fort the restrictions which—as from December 1, 19,41—are placed upon enlistment in His Majesty's Forces or Civil Defence Seryices.
Although there are changes in the reservation ages of many occupations, those of drivers of commercial and public-service vehicles remain unaltered. .
Perhaps the most important innovation is the progressive raising of the ages of reservation, which operates as from and including January 1, 1942, by one year on the first day of each month. For example: If the age of reservation for an occupation shown in the Schedule is 25, it will become 26 on January 1, 1942, and 27 on February 1, 1942, and so on. The same procedure will apply to alternative reservation ages, i.e., 25-35 will become 26-36 on January 1, 1942, and so forth. In this connection. it should be observed that each man so affected will be notified and officially advised of the date upon whic,h he becomes de-reserved. At the same time, he will be requested to inform his employer accordingly. In the cases of men below' the ages of reservation for their occupations they will—where it is considered neces sary—be retained in industry by means of individual deferment of calling up. Men who becorhe de-reserved as a result of the monthly raising of ages of reservation are similarly affected.
New Procedure and Form for Deferment Applications
The new procedure for deferment applications contains an inaportant change relative to the applications for men not reserved who are engaged on protected or unprotected work. Forms N.S.100, N.S.200 and N.S.171 are abolished and have' been replaced la) one form only, viz., N.S.300. This can be obtained at any Employment Exchange. The forms, when completed, must be sent to the Exchange named on the. individual's .registration certificate—N.S.2. It should be notkl that where aiman becomes de-reserved under the progressive raising of the age of reservation, application for the deferment of his calling-up must be made at least 15 days before the date on which he ceases to be reserved. Opportunity will be afforded for the making of an application for deferment when a person is called. for medical examination in the event of such application not being made by his . empigyer. As in the last Schedule, it is most important that all changes of occupation be notified to the employment Exchange indicated on the registration Certificate N.S.2.
Another important point which should be noted is that an unreserved person who enters a reserved occupation will not become reserved by reason of the change. However, this does not prevent his employer from making application for the deferment of his calling-up on form N.S.300. An individual who changes from one reserved occupation to another will remain reserved if he be above the age for the new occupation. In nearly all cases the age is taken as it was on the date when a person's age group was called upon to register.
Provision is made in the new Schedule for men who seek deferment on the grounds of "exceptional hardship." Such cases relate to a man's family, domestic or personal circumstances, or to business responsibilities, as they would be affected by his calling up. Where such conditions exist, application may be made to the Minister of Labour and National Service for a certificate of postponement, on the grounds that exceptional hardship would ensue if the applicant were called up.
An application for postponement based upon business grounds alone can be granted only upon evidence that the business cannot be carried on in the absence of the applicant unless alternative arrangements be made, and that in the particular circumstances such arrangements cannot be made immediately. The plea merely that the absence of the applicant would entail difficulty or inconvenience is not sufficient to gain him deferment. Any application of this nature must be made by the man himself, using form N.S.300 for the purpose.
How the Alternative Reserved Ages Are Modified
In connection with the dual ages that are shown in the Schedule, the lower age applies only to men employed in an undertaking which has been admitted to the Register of Protected Establishments and who have been identified by form N.S.171. Such men will cease to be reserved as the lower ages of reservation are raised. It will be necessary, therefore, for employers to apply for new deferments on form N.S.300.
In occupations where alternative ages apply, men who —for the time being—are below the higher age of reser . vation and alt on work of national importance in establishments not admitted to the Register by December 3, 1941, will, where necessary, be retained in their employment by the deferment of their calling up.
The Ministry of Labour and National Service is empowered to withdraw from the Register at any time such establishments as he may think fit. Also, he may withdraw reservation or deferment in any individual case which he may consider necessary. Furthermore, the Schedule is subject to amendment or variation from time to time to meet -the requirements of the Services or of essential industries.
As in previous issues, the new Schedule is compiled on an occupational basis and applies to an employer, employee or person working on his own account who follows—as his primary occupation—one or other of those callings named in the Schedule.
It will be observed that the principle, as outlined, is that individual deferment will, by gradual process, replace reservation under the Schedule. It is hoped that the foregoing. details will, clarify the position as affected by the new Schedule. Readers of "The Commercial Motor" who have individual problems to be solved should communicate with the Editor, who will give such questions his personal attention and advise the inquirer accordingly.