Are Work Trials compulsory

sammyjammy

Someone should bring this to the attnetion of James Purnell the Minister for the Dept in question that way if noone gets taken on the papers can have a field day!

ohreally

Trade union activists employed by Tesco should be picking up on this and monitoring closely as this practice displays the pungent stench of the exploitation of those most in need and at their most vulnerable.

jembie

Blimey Although I agree with most of the posts on this thread, I am jealous! I applied to the new Tesco that has just opened here and I heard nothing. Not even the offer of a work trial

hippychik

Just a quick update. I went to the jobcentre today, and was issued with a postal coupon to prove I will still be actively seeking work during the period, which I must send along with the evidence. Usually you are excused signing, but the advisor said in this case, as I ahd not been interviewed yet, that no job offer could be presumed.
She also said that Tesco won't know until January what jobs they will have available, and I won't be interviewed for the job I will be doing on the trial.
I asked about the subsitence and travel allowances and she said she didn't think they would be doing it, and the work trial manager should have told me about it. I tried to see the work trial manager, but he won't be available for two weeks, and no one else can help.
She also said, and I quote "we are paying yoiu to work for Tesco". From what I can find online about work trials (jobcentre refused to give me a leaflet) this is NOT how they are supposed to be run. And to actively seek work whilst working 42 1/2 hrs p/w is a tall order. I didn't realise the Government was paying for staff for commercial organisations!

~jules~_3

this is what it says on the job centre web page... but I thought they had to interview you first.

"The person will continue to receive their benefit, plus travel expenses and a meal allowance which we will pay."
http://www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk/JCP/Customers/outofworkhelplookingforwork/Getting_job_ready/Programmes_to_get_you_ready/Dev_014890.xml.html

robpw2

i dont agree with people having to work 42 hr weeks for nothing , i do however think worktrials are a good idea , what should happen is you should continue to get jsa and then you should be topped up to whatever is minimum wage for the time you worked

hippychik

Thanks for the link Jules. As I said though, the advisor said that the work trials manager has to sanction it. he is unavailable for the next two weeks. I also note on that link it says that trials "are entirely voluntary", but i was told to do it. robw2; I agree with the concept of work trials too; but not when the posiotion was advertised at the beginning of October, and was for one position, then to say they are having ALL candidates to do a trial before they will consider interviewing, then also to say the interview will not be for the position advertised, or the one trialled.

moonpenny

Advertise for 1 new employee - get 2 free!!!

sammyjammy

hippychik wrote: »

Thanks for the link Jules. As I said though, the advisor said that the work trials manager has to sanction it. he is unavailable for the next two weeks. I also note on that link it says that trials "are entirely voluntary", but i was told to do it. robw2; I agree with the concept of work trials too; but not when the posiotion was advertised at the beginning of October, and was for one position, then to say they are having ALL candidates to do a trial before they will consider interviewing, then also to say the interview will not be for the position advertised, or the one trialled.

This is unacceptable, as has been said this is not how Work Trials work, it is also unacceptable that the Work Trials manager is unavailable for two weeks, if this person is on holiday someone else should be covering his work, if he is not on holiday/sick etc he cannot be "unavailable " to deal with this.

If it was me I would ask to see the manager of the Jobcentre, I would, if necessary also refuse to take part in a Work trial where no actual vacancy exists, they cannot sanction you or do anything about this.

I used to work part-time in Tesco as well as my full-time job, it was awful I stuck it out for 8 months but in the end decided the extra money wasn't worth it and you'll be doing it for free over the most awful time of the year to work in a Supermarket.

Sam

Witsend_2

moonpenny wrote: »

Advertise for 1 new employee - get 2 free!!!

:rotfl: :rotfl: Every little helps :rotfl: :rotfl:


(Sorry I'm not making light of this situation I just couldn't resist)