Have You Ever Heard

[lucretia]

of competition riders asking their staff to sign confidentiallity documents? i could see it if you were working for Zara but not anyone else though i did just hear one professional is doing that. Who would be that intereseted? is it likely to affect national security? i suppose you could be wanting to try and stop your shady management practises gettingout but everyone knows there are no real secrets in the horse world!

 

[Halfstep]

Yes, I know one very well known dressage yard that does this.

 

[SunshineTallulah]

I think that its prob not that unusual - it can help prevent rumours and stuff, ie: potential horses going for sale or issues etc.

Its no different to running a business really. A business needs to protect itself and its ventures.

 

[Law]

I had to sign one when working in a very rubbish video shop so it wouldn't surprise me !

 

[hmk101]

I have signed one when working for some owners. Doesnt worry me at all. I think people are entitled to some privacy.

 

[S_N]

Almost everyone I've EVER worked for has insisted on this being part of a contract.

 

[TarrSteps]

I thinks it's getting more common. In some cases it's probably mostly about "yard news" but in others it is likely about clients who demand their own privacy agreements. I know most people used to just assume their staff was loyal but I guess in this day and age more people want to hedge their bets.

 

[Aliwalig]

I've had it in every job I've ever done (all non horsey!) it's a pretty standard contract term AFAIK

 

[Darkly_Dreaming_Dex]

Yes , i had to sign one when i worked on a very posh estate with a titled boss and they were always filming there so lots of famous names around

fantastic job

cr*p pay

 

[MissDeMeena]

I nearly did when working for a certain event rider.. In a very sturn way i was told that whatever happened on the yard stayed on the yard, and i wasn't to talk to anyone about anything!!

I was also told that if anything were to break under my care, then i would have to pay for it, ie if i tack a horse up and it chews its reins, then i would have to buy a new pair.. this person had a £4000 pulsing magnetic rug, i was therefore scared sh!tless to even touch it.. when i was then shown how to lead a horse through a gateway correctly i decided it wasn't the job for me!! haha I lasted 2 days!!

 

[lucretia]

i had to sign one when they ran a business from the same place as the yard, but i only signed the clause pertaining to that business because you have to discuss horses with trainers, owners, vets, farriers etc so though most of them are discreet stuff gets about and i just didnt think it was enforceable. Also technically i suppose i could have been fired for being on here and saying (in answer to a question) on my yard we do this that or the other.
and i must admit the above was the first time i was ever asked for that specifically. obviously when i worked at the royal mews for example, it was part of the normal work contract that you were discreet to say the least. but many stables dont even have work contracts for their staff and the one in question breaks a couple of employments rules (like 95% of equestrian establishments i expect) because some employment law is very hard to enforce with horse staff so i would think if you were asking someone to sign such a thing, you wouldnt be able to enforce it unless you were squeaky clean yourself.
and now halfstep has mentioned it, i did go for a dressage yard interview where they mentioned it but i wasnt sure they were serious! On the whole who would be interested if everything is above board?

 

[lucretia]

thats what i mean about breaking employment rules because i am fairly sure you cant be held responsible for all breakages, particularly items like magnetic rugs which you could need special training to use.
most people dont talk about what specifically goes on in specific places at specific times, even i dont though i usually quite sure of my facts because i do not want to be misquoted or misunderstood at the very least but i would be pissed off if i got fired because some asked me, as an example, how much fittening work X considered appropriite for a certain level or which feed brand Y used because thats one of the ways you learn about horses, with them all being different, its really good to get other people's feedback.
if on the other hand a yard had lamed 50% of their runners in one season, i should think they would have their staff well gagged!!

 

[MissDeMeena]

I guess because the horsey world is so bitchy and full of gossip, it's a way yards are trying to stop that maybe!!

It obviously doesn't work, as i'm on here telling you lot what happened on my 2 days in that yard (not that i've said who it was) but if someone were to say, i'm thinking of going to work for X, what are they like, i'd tell them..
All yards no matter how squeaky clean have dodgy stories to tell..

 

[lucretia]

PMSL likewise if it worked i wouldnt have been raising the issue would i!