employing staff

bellsmum

Hi
my little buisness is going good and I need to employ a driver to do local drop offs for a small charge.
Ive interview a number of people to do the job and now I'm on the short list.

On one of the application forms for one chap he hasnt put his present employment but says he is working. how can i find out where he works now for a reference

And the second guy was a bit funny when I asked about any driving convictions. is there a way of finding out these things out
Oh says not to bother with these guys

but in the future if i need more staff is there a way of find out the work back ground of a person

thanks in advance

hopefulfooluk

If I were you I would ask for the first guy's employment details - he may have just made an error on the form and forgot to put them on there. If he can't give them to you, then I'd steer clear.

Likewise with the second guy - your OH is right - ask to see his driving licence and if he doesn't show it to you, then smell a rat.

Well done on the growth!!

Cheers

Chris

bellsmum

Thanks

Ill look over the other applicants Ive not given the rejection letter yet

And thanks for answering

wuckfit

you might want to get proper legal advice about this. if it were me I'd make it a condition of employment that failure to disclose any driving convictions is gross misconduct. make sure you cover yourself fully with regard to public liability and other insurances.

fengirl_2

Its always best to set the conditions out in the job advert, eg 'clean driving licence essential' and ask for the licence to be brought to interview.
In the case of references, you could add a note to the application form, eg 'please list all your employers starting from your present or most recent' 'please give the names, etc of two refereees, one of which must be your present or most recent employer if you are unemployed.'.

paulwf

If you do a google for "driving license check" you'll see links to companies that will check the licenses of employees for you. The services look expensive and I've no idea how reliable they are...might be worth a call though.

Savvy_Sue

Also if they are driving their own vehicle, you need to see their insurance certificate and MOT (if required) and ensure that they are covered for your business use.

I would ask to see paper driving licence, insurance and MOT at interview, and then check again on start date to make sure insurance specifically covered your deliveries (it may take a few days to arrange and get new certificate out). Also note renewal date for insurance, make a note and ask to see it each year.

You also have to check that new employees have the right to work in the UK.

property.advert

Also, you should state that any offer of employment is subject to receipt of satisfactory references, police, and DLVA checks etc.

Just out of interest, if this is a daytime job, have you investigated the costs of contract rates from your local taxi office ? Remember that their costs are fully deductible, you can check their insurances and request that they have insurance for damage to goods in transit.

You would have no down time and no employment hassles.

It might not be an option but I thought I'd suggest it. I use one abroad for such things as the daytime is slow on trade and I could negotiate a good discounted rate.

Good luck with the growing business.

ben500

You would be ill advised to contact the applicant's current employer without first obtaining permission, I'm fairly sure it would be illegal.

property.advert

Yes, but it can be a condition that an offer of employment is made subject to a satisfactory reference from their current employer. They would have to agree to that to be considered for the role and sign their consent.

ben500

property.advert wrote: »

Yes, but it can be a condition that an offer of employment is made subject to a satisfactory reference from their current employer. They would have to agree to that to be considered for the role and sign their consent.

But if you read the op you will see it is suggesting doing so subversively, ie without the knowledge or permission of the applicant, that is quite a different kettle of fish.