Are Work Trials compulsory

grastgirl

I agree with the concept of work trials being a perfectly valid part of a selection process, but only after interview to decide between a number of apparently suitable candidates.

Having the work trial before the interviews appears to have changed it to an unsavoury business practice, apparently endorsed/encouraged by the DSS. You're told repeatedly not to give any money to an agency at any point before they get you a job, but the DSS can make you give 15 days worth of full-time work for free before getting you an interview or doing any of the appropriate checks re criminal records etc?

If Tesco want this free labour they should be forced to take it when the deadline for the application is over, not at their convenience at their busiest period. Also should there be any problems, someone from the job centre should be on hand to help, but I bet they're not going to be making themselves available on boxing day.

The health and safety implications of taking on untrained workers at such a busy time (for workers and customers) are immense and as someone else mentioned as non-employees would anybody be covered by their insurance. I think this point at least should be brought up with the job centre. Personally I'd take this up with my MP, although I suspect you'll still have to do the work trial in the meantime.

Savvy_Sue

SomeBozo wrote: »

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

<snip>

Direct your anger in the right place.

I can boycott a particular supermarket, I can't boycott the DSS!

Angelica_2

I think a work trial would be fine if you had already been interviewed for the job.

Then it would be a good way for the employer and you to test out if it was the right job for you. I thought that was the point of work trial for you to try the job without putting your benefit at risk if you didn't like it and for them to see if they liked you.

moonpenny

I am absolutely incensed reading this thread.

People are desperate for jobs – it doesn’t matter to most people who have been out of work for sometime, that they actually “like” the job – they just need a job, any job, regardless!

So, to say you can have a work trial to see if you like it makes me laugh! I would then like to hear what the DHSS would have to say on turning down the job because they “didn’t like it”

In my opinion, if there is a job available, then it should be advertised and filled in the normal way. Every firm in the country has been doing this for years; there is nothing to be gained for the employee. Yes, he might get the chance of a job, but he will get the same chance if he applied in the normal way. It’s blackmail!

Also, of the “trial” aspect, what’s wrong with the system that has been in place for years – a review after 6 wks working to iron out any problems on both sides, or at worst – get the sack!

duchy

SomeBozo wrote: »

You don't think Tesco went to the DSS and said "Hey, can I 40 people to work for free over Christmas?".


Bozo

Well now you mention it

Where is you evidence otherwise ?

Reds-on-Sea

What happens to people who are already employed, and looking to change jobs for example?

If I applied to go and work in Tesco's today (I worked there through Uni for 3 years) I certainly wouldn't expect them to wait for me to jack in my current job and undertake a 3 week trial for free and MAYBE get a job at the end of it. Are they only doing this to JSAers? They'd give me an interview and give me a job based on that and my experience right? However if I lost my current job and went on JSA, I'd have to do the trial?? This really gives me the impression that they're treating people on benefits as 2nd class citizens, like they're not trustworthy enough to give a job to, just based on an interview, they have to PROVE that they can do it? And 3 weeks?!! I'd think twice about taking a job that asked for more than a day's trial.

Reggie_Rebel

Of course, the government won't be taking all those on the 'work trial' scheme off the unemployed numbers will they?

Witsend_2

I am lost for words Tesco will not stop until they rule the world. This is an outrage they should be accountable for the number of trial staff that are kept on a certain persentage at the very least. I feel for anyone being forced into this situation not least for the 'them and us' they will probably feel from employed staff but also what if there is reason for complaint by trial staff would they have a proceedure to go through? would they have a leg to stand on?

moggylover

Reggie_Rebel wrote: »

Of course, the government won't be taking all those on the 'work trial' scheme off the unemployed numbers will they?

No, because you remain on benefits whilst you carry out the trial and are not "officially" employed by the Company, just volunteering (in effect):D

moonpenny

But it's not volunteering - it's forced labour!