Are Work Trials compulsory

moggylover

SomeBozo wrote: »

What?

Expecting people on benefits to do a trial that could lead to a perm job and not have to rely on benefits?

Try out a job for 15 days (yes only 15 days) to see if its for you with no loss of benefits?

Expecting people to at least try an introduction to the world of work and get paid travel to and from the employer?

Thinking its great that the government are cutting through red tape and getting employers on board to get people into work?

Thinking that in the current economic climate job seekers would jump at the chance to prove themselves to a employer?

Perhaps I am being naive.

Bozo

There is absolutely NOTHING wrong with the "work trial" principle, and no-one here is suggesting that there is. However, the thing that is wrong here is that it would appear that the Supermarket are taking advantage of this to get lots of "free" help over the Christmas period, and that they probably have ABSOLUTELY no intention of employing any of these staff AFTER the work trial:D - just getting the tax payer to pay a very poor wage for their extra staff over the Christmas period.

I agree that they should be named and shamed, and I would be tempted to go to the local press if this were to happen to me.

Companies of that low an ethical standard should not be allowed to profit at all in our Society, and certainly not by exploiting those that are vulnerable, i.e. will loose even their JSA if they refuse to do a work trial that is actually only aimed at getting free labour for the 15 day period.

top_drawer_2

hi,

When I was at college doing A'levels, part-time employment was in short supply so my friend took a job in McD's "on trial" which just happened to be the seasonal period. She needed the money as she wasnt eligiable for grants etc and her parents were experts in making life difficult :rolleyes: She worked fulltime for 6 weeks (at the expense of her AS levels) as they implied hard work would be rewarded (by a part-time job).

When her Review came up, they said she wasnt proficient enough in the kitchen area - she had been "in charge" of the fries area! This had never been mentioned previously...

She can laugh now because she has a excellent job which she loves but at the time she was gutted especially, more so when she got her AS results.

Jen

spannerintheworks

Well |I work fore a supper market were every little helps and they are not suppose to take on any part time or full time workers over the Christmas period but they are having job seekers work trials going on for three weeks over Christmas ?

spannerintheworks

Well |I work fore a supper market were every little helps and they are not suppose to take on any part time or full time workers over the Christmas period but they are having job seekers work trials going on for three weeks over Christmas ?

Savvy_Sue

I would like the supermarket named and shamed so that I can avoid them completely over the Christmas season! The idea of shoving new staff onto the shop floor at the busiest time of year is daft enough - but not to pay them either is beyond belief!

kitschkitty

Personally I think work trials aren't a bad idea, but the terms of this one seem very exploitative!

OP are you aware that on JSA you have the right to claim that you are going away on holiday (away from your city of residence where you sign on). I can't remember if the maximum period is one week or 2.

All you need to is speak with your advisor and tell them that you have been invited to stay with family for a week over the Christmas period, and so won't be able to undertake the work trial, however point out that you really want the job centre to help you in addressing the employer so that you can still apply for the position.

If as has been mentioned you are willing to do a work trial before(or after) then you are showing you are willing to apply and take part.

hippychik

Thanks Kitschkitty, I wasn't aware of that. The supermarket is Tesco. I have friends who work there, and they were all told that this store would not be hiring temp staff, and were cutting down on overtime, in a bid to reduce staff costs over christmas.

To Bozo; I agree with a lot of your points, but I would like to just clarify the reason for my scepticism. I have run my own business so I know the difficulties in recruiting the right candidate, those who impress at interview are not always the best for the job. My last firm went under in May, I was an I.T. Support Manager, we occasionally used work trials if we liked someone but was unsure of them, but ONLY after interview, and we certainly didn't have every candidate who applied take one. I assumed (naively) it would be easy to secure a new postion. I am divorced with a son to support, therefore having no income is imperative. Despite several second interviews, and being well qualified competition is so great right now.
I applied to Tesco for a dot.com part-time position, it was only ever going to be a filler to get some money, while searching for a better job. While it may seem to you that I should be happy to 'prove' myself to an employer, and be happy if it leads to a permanent postion.... I disagree on these grounds; Firstly when Tesco contacted me a few weeks ago I asked to do the work trial earlier, they had my application in October, to wait two (three before confirmation) months, if they really do have jobs available seems ludicrous. They have between thirty to forty candidates working full-time (42hrs p/w) during a four week period, if you know the wage by hour and add all those hours up, it is easy to see how they are exploiting the system! The period is to include Boxing Day, unpaid workers will be working alongside paid employees, who will be paid extra due to it being a bank holiday. Tesco informed me that they will not review my application form, health questionaire, or personality test until interview; even if I impress them I and the others, could still face hurdles. I have a child, and Kitschkitty very perceptively hit the nail on the head here! My son and I always go away to family at christmas. Sure I have worked christmas eve before, but not until late in the evening. We return on Boxing Day night. This year I face the prospect of having christmas alone, I do not drive so rely on lifts. Of course if I was successful I would have to work... but I don't want to miss seeing my family at christmas without even financial compensation. I may be jobless, but I am still a person, with family! As for the 'so-called' permanent job; Tesco also told me if successful it would be a casual contract, and as mentioned friends I know say there are no jobs, every shop is busy at christmas, do you honestly believe that there will be forty jobs in Jan? It is also unfair to their competitors, who'll lose profit by not getting free labour. I also feel insulted that I have to 'prove my worth' for an interview by working to three weeks. If it was to learn a complicated computer system, and the company would not gain whist training it is understandable, but seriously how difficult is pushing a trolley around? I do it anyway, surely they would know before the end. FYI I do voluntary work at the moment, for a charity that can't afford paid employees. I have no qualms about work trials, but the fact that we are only allowed to do it over christmas seems obviously exploitative.

Mcc28_x, It didn't state that work trials were part of the recruitment. It did say that the employer might consider them, but I naively assumed it meant a mutual decision at interview.

I feel that 'every little' free help Tesco gets will 'help' boost their profits. Though I add they are not doing anything illegal

duchy

Illegal no Unethical Yes
I was just about to book a Tesco delivery slot- but now I'm using ASDA instead.
Voting with my feet-I'm disgusted
This is not what the work trial was designed for and the job centre should be ashamed of themselves

SomeBozo

hippychik

always go away to family at christmas

I know how special christmas is with family. But to me, doing something that could lead to a job and off benefits would be more important. Your family would understand this.

As the recession bites, jobs are going to get harder and harder to come by. You think its hard now? Give it 3 months and see!

To all and this "naming and shaming" claptrap......

Its not the supermarkets fault, the DSS is actively soliciting firms to "come on board" this work trial project.

Your aiming your anger at the wrong people, its the DSS not the supermarkets who are pushing for these work trials! You don't think Tesco went to the DSS and said "Hey, can I 40 people to work for free over Christmas?".

Direct your anger in the right place.

I own a run a company with 40 FT staff and 250 "consultants" (that i bring in just when I need them) and I have had 2 flyer about the letters already. I put it down to being a big employer in a area with high unemployment, but speaking to a competitor they had it too.

As the recession hits and companies try to cut costs this will become more common and if you are changing habits because of this, you might find no-where to shop soon!

Bozo

hippychik

I do agree with you Bozo, but I honestly don't think that the company are being scrupulously honest here, if I thought it would lead to a permanent job and be off benefits I would be happy. It's also worth noting that the TUC have already warned that companies should not use work trials during periods of seasonal demand, for the very reason I fear is happening.

You are right in the fact that the companies are not to blame; in a dog eat dog world I don't suppose you can blame them for wanting 'free' labour, I'm certain it isn't as optimistic a picture as you think, but will keep my fingers crossed, and let you know the outcome.

I also believe you are bang on about the it happening more and more in the future; as jobs become more scarce and companies try to cut costs, it will become more frequent. In that case I do feel that the DSS's attitued will only further exacerbate an already dire situation. If companies are actively sought to try the scheme you could have the scenario of constantly 'trying' people, and saying they are not right, and 'trying' more people. This will ultimately not help the jobseeker or the economy.

Work trials are wonderful models; but Bozo surely even you must agree that they can be open to abuse in some cases? I'm not just thinking of myself here, this must be going on elsewhere, and to others.

I wish I shared your optimism that this could lead to a job, but unfortunately due to the fact that they haven't looked at my application form yet and the fact that they stipulated to the jobcentre that all trials were to be held in December I can't.