Clarify volunteering???

Dooood

Hi all.

Can anyone clarify the crazy bureaucracy getting in the way of me trying to get a job.
I'm after a second opinion after being told of a ridiculous restriction that could hamper some of the efforts I'm making to get work.

I've been out of work for over two years now following my sixth redundancy.

The jobcentre are satisfied that I am actively pursuing anything inside and outside of my career within the printing industry.

Despite many, many applications - I've had very few replies and only 3 interviews this year - with no luck.

This morning I had a routine interview with jobcentre and I was thrilled to tell them of a possible breakthrough which could result in a job after the Christmas break.

This 'possible' job is the result of me offering to volunteer up to 16hrs per week in the hope it leads to full-time employment in the near future.

I am aware that this strategy may be open to abuse but basically, I may have nothing better to do, it gets me out the house and it shows willing.

I told the jobcentre that the company were very interested and impressed with my offer to volunteer and are willing to let me do a couple of days a week between now and then providing it's unpaid. I'm happy to take the chance - it seems unlikely that I'll get a better offer between now and then.

Now the bombshell!!!

The jobcentre have told me that I'm only allowed to volunteer 16hrs for a REGISTERED CHARITY - not a prospective employer!!!!

I've been told I risk losing my benefits if I'm found out!

Are they winding me up????
Are they that desperate to keep me???

Surely, after 2 years on benefits - they'd be forcing these measures on me not preventing them!!!!!

I am livid! I am due to call this company today to let them know when I can start my 2 days volunteering.

As I said, I'm after a second opinion before I contact this firm.

I can't find confirmation on the Jobcentre's website and the CAB are too busy for telephone enquiries at the mo.

Any comments??

fengirl_2

I can see the JC's point. By volunteering and claiming JSA, the JC is effectively subsidising the 'employer', instead of the employer paying you the going rate for the job. Sorry, but I think you are being expoited.

xxlaurissaxx

why dont you just volunteer in a shop for charity say pdsa or barnardo's it still shows you willing to work and not wasting time lazing about the house all day? Cant you get a xmas temp job in retail. Theres usually loads available and they usually lead onto full time employment or hand you cv into a recruitment agency and do temp work for them? xx

johnpaulpops

I admire your initiative and can imagine your frustration but I'm afraid I agree - it's open to exploitation. Is there any guarantee at all that the golden job will appear after Christmas? I suspect if the employer can't pay you now, it's even more unlikely in the New Year.

Explain the JC ruling to your employer, if they're worth their salt they'll take you on on a probationary period anyway - you've shown willing, enthusiasm and initiative, qualities most employers would bite someone's hand off for ! If they don't, I suspect they never would.

JP

Jo_R_2

This is correct - I used to work supporting adults with a learning disability to find work and you can only volunteer for a charity.

The way the government see it is that if you are doing the same work as an employee who is paid, then there is no reason why you shouldn't be paid for it. I personally know of a case whereby a young man 'worked' for a certain supermarket doing the same hours and work week in, week out, for seven years, and didn't get paid a penny for it...

Being in paid employment, volunteering, and doing work experience are all distinct and separate things.

Sharon87

I'm in a similar situation.

I'm volunteering to work on a TV Production company for 2 weeks. I have suggested hours, rather than fixed, and I am not obliged to work it all. But as this is my first step in my career I'm needing to make a good impression and get a reference from them.

Will the JC stop my JSA if they know its not for a registered charity? I told them I'd be working as I couldn't sign on, which I'll be doing sometime during this week.

I'm still job hunting, and after the first week if a paid job comes up I'll take it.

tsstss7

Could the work not be classed as work experience/ unpaid trial? I met someone once who had done this, got a job off the back of two weeks unpaid work trial.

I would be wary of doing any more than a month like this though (and that's pushing it) some employers can take the mick if you let them.

Dooood

Hi Folks

Thanks for all your comments.

I appreciate the obvious concerns that I could be exploited but I'm confident that this is a calculated risk in this case.
As for the job in question, I was made aware that a position would be made available as a guy was leaving this company - leaving one remaining employee within the computer studio (within a printing company) For obvious reasons, they cannot rely on one person for too long - sickness / holidays etc.
When I approached the company regarding potential employment, I was told that it was quiet at the moment and a very quiet December was anticipated so they'd looking to recruit once the work-load picks up after the new year - if they can hold off that long with just one person.

This was made clear to me when I approached them about work.

As a gamble, I suggested I could volunteer up to 16hrs per week until then to refresh my skills and ease back into the environment at no expense to them.
With my track record over the last couple of years, it's likely that I'll have nothing better to do - though I will obviously continue to look for other 'paid' work.

The company were taken aback by my proposal and providing I was happy to do that and everything was above board - they were happy for me to do those two days a week.

Being realistic, I'm not relying on a job offer in January but the chance to refresh my skills and use the latest software is of huge interest to me.

I regard the opportunity as a training exercise that may lead to a job offer in January. If no job comes of it, then I've regained some valuable experience - it would also be great to get out the house for a couple of days a week and do something that I previously very good at.

I'm no fool. I've been extremely frustrated at many failed applications for many different types of work - I've effectively created an opportunity to jump the queue so I'm not competing with 60 other applicants as with my previous failed attempt at a job a couple of weeks before - and 60, or so, failed applications over the last couple of years.

It's my gamble and I think the job centre should appreciate my efforts and the reasons behind my actions - not just hamper my efforts with bureaucracy.

Jo_R_2

I think in a way it's a semantic argument - it can't be volunteering simply because in the eyes of the law it ISN'T volunteering.

However, if you were approaching it as as work experience placement then this would be different. When I arranged work experience for clients I would be obliged to write a letter to the appropriate benefits agency outlining the details, such as the name and address of employer, the hours and the dates involved. In fact, organising a work experience was often the way we planned and hoped to get clients the offer of paid employment.

Have you thought about doing this instead?

moggylover

Would this not just come under the banner of "Work Trials" which is something my local Job Centre advisor was telling me about last time I visited?

http://www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk/JCP/Employers/advisoryservices/recruitment/Dev_015800.xml.html