working for nothing

dan2002

hi all, friend of ours was on the dole for about 1 year and found a job (selling round doors) done 1 weeks training no wages ,now has been out selling walking the streets and again no wages as he sold nothing (selling for a media firm) ,anyone know if he walks out can he sign back on or will he lose dole for 6 months ,been 2 weeks now without money I didnt think this was allowed also dont think they will pay him off, anyone can help me advise him what to do .This is a young chap of about 20

busy_mom_2

If he was unemployed for more than 13 weeks before he took the job as long as he waits 4 weeks before giving it up he will be treated as 'employment on trial' so no action will be taken. any earlier then 4 weeks then he will have to provide as much evidence as possible to show good cause for giving up the job.
Please say JSA the dole ended years ago!

balustrada

dan2002 wrote: »

.....has been out selling walking the streets and again no wages as he sold nothing (selling for a media firm).

If the employment is commission-only and he's not been employed as a PAYE employee there are no grounds under JSA law for penalising him for leaving the job voluntarily.

dan2002

hi all he has just been told he is self employed ,he dosent have a clue what self employed is ,he just thought it was a job !!!!!!!,so does anyone know if he can sign back on or as "busy mom" says will he have to wait the four weeks before he can sign on

olly300

Self-employment is a ruse that some employers like this use to get out of giving their employees proper rights.

Here are some questions that your mate should answer to establish if he is really self-employed:

• Do you have the final say in how the business is run?
• Do you risk your own money in the business?
• Are you responsible for meeting the losses as well as taking the profits?
• Do you provide the main items of equipment you need to do your job, not just the small tools many employees provide for themselves?
• Are you free to hire other people on your own terms to do the work you have taken on? Do you pay them out of your own pocket?
• Do you have to correct unsatisfactory work in your own time and at your own expense?

If he can't answer or say yes to most of them he isn't self-employed.

BTW the questions are copied from Business Link but they are also on HMRC website

dan2002

thanks olly but its hard getting info from the friend ,he is telling me that the girl he is out with "walking the streets" is self employed but I think he is now that much embarressed about this "job" he is feeling everyone is going to laugh at him but I have told him we all know he has gave it a great go, but I feel this company his only told him basic info (the less he knows the better)

Sharon87

olly300 wrote: »

Self-employment is a ruse that some employers like this use to get out of giving their employees proper rights.

Here are some questions that your mate should answer to establish if he is really self-employed:

• Do you have the final say in how the business is run?
• Do you risk your own money in the business?
• Are you responsible for meeting the losses as well as taking the profits?
• Do you provide the main items of equipment you need to do your job, not just the small tools many employees provide for themselves?
• Are you free to hire other people on your own terms to do the work you have taken on? Do you pay them out of your own pocket?
• Do you have to correct unsatisfactory work in your own time and at your own expense?

If he can't answer or say yes to most of them he isn't self-employed.

BTW the questions are copied from Business Link but they are also on HMRC website

Aren't freelancers classed as self-employed? If he has been employed as a freelancer, those conditions above won't apply.

dan2002

what can he do if he is a freelancer ,can he just sign back on and look for another job as he has been out with these people 11.00am until 10.00pm ,2 weeks now for nothing ,I feel so sorry for him I'm only trying to help

lynzpower

God just tell him to walk away!

think of all the proper jobs he could be applying for instead of wasting his time door knocking.

You can tell him from me ( and I hope i spoeak for much of the MSE community) that working for no income is not acceptable and there are better things to be doing. At the very least he could get some sort of JSA income to help him survive till he finds a job. Many of us have found these sorts of scam jobs and many of them are at the jobcentre on the screens- job seekers be very aware.

If he cant find a real job in the area, maybe he could think about looking further afield for work.

dan2002

thanks I keep telling him to walk but I think theres pride in it now ,thanks all again

busy_mom_2

What does his contract state? He can leave before the 4 weeks just needs to provide as much info as possible to show good cause. If he was self employed he will need to show he was registered with the tax office and then any earning can, if necessary be investigated.