Census Jobs

BlythBoy

Rich44 wrote: »

Ok guys:

as for not seeing CVs what do you think the siftability questions were for it's basic profiling that's how they decide, also the reason that some are being put on hold is they have to keep some people in "reserve" in case people drop out and there have been a number already - not nice to be in that situation but that's the score unfortunately .

Coming from a Police and intellgence background, my point is that Capita cannot know for sure that the person named on the application actually completed the siftability test or the e-learning. Other than half a day training, Capita cannot be sure of the level of staff they are employing. It's worrying that most of the positions have been allocated within the last ten days leaving little time for CRB and references to be returned and sorted. Don't forget Capita are employing people to visit the most vulnerable members of society and proper and correct checks should be carried out.

As regards the 'reserve list' I waited four months without a word and then with two weeks to go to the start date I get placed on the reserve list. Surely, if the application process was well run why didn't we get an answer sooner. Why did Capita state on the 23rd. November I would be told within 2 weeks? Why did Capita repeat this again four further times during the last four months.

It's not the biggest post wartime mobilsation, there has been six other census since WWII and more people run in the London marathon than will be working in the census!

wosters

BlythBoy wrote: »

Coming from a Police and intellgence background, my point is that Capita cannot know for sure that the person named on the application actually completed the siftability test or the e-learning. Other than half a day training, Capita cannot be sure of the level of staff they are employing. It's worrying that most of the positions have been allocated within the last ten days leaving little time for CRB and references to be returned and sorted. Don't forget Capita are employing people to visit the most vulnerable members of society and proper and correct checks should be carried out.

As regards the 'reserve list' I waited four months without a word and then with two weeks to go to the start date I get placed on the reserve list. Surely, if the application process was well run why didn't we get an answer sooner. Why did Capita state on the 23rd. November I would be told within 2 weeks? Why did Capita repeat this again four further times during the last four months.

It's not the biggest post wartime mobilsation, there has been six other census since WWII and more people run in the London marathon than will be working in the census!

:T:T well said. I am in the same position as you and have 20 years public service experience with various government departments. This recruitment process has been a shambles and I bet it has cost much more than previous methods.

kst101

I spoke too soon - after my telephone interview on 17th December I have at last been placed on a reserve list.

Am really not sure if I will complete the training or not - I don't feel especially confident in how well any of this would work and given that I would need childcare during the census period I need to know soon what is happening.

FitOnFam

What a horrible way for people to be treated!

What I am reading echoes my experience after applying for a data inputting role with the census also. After applying and attending an interview where I was told "if successful you will start in February", I was delighted when I received an e-mail saying I was successful. I stopped applying for other jobs and put my children in childcare so I was able to start work by the last week of Feb. After waiting I rang them up and was told I was on a reserve list! I was very angry as I had thought I had the job. At the interview we had to do a test and I was the only person in my group to pass first time and I know for definite other people in the group actually stated work.

I can only think it was because I wanted part time work but I said I would be able and willing to work 3 out of the 4 available shifts. When I rang they told me the interviewer had only put me down for the 10-2 shift which obviously would be the most popular one.

As it happens I also applied for the census collector role and have been successful in gaining this. The wording in the classroom training presentation was the same as the data collection role so I am dubious about the same thing happening. So even though I have had a final contract, I will not be counting on the work until I actually meet with a manager!

lexilex

Has anyone had an offer in the last couple of days or is it just the reserve list? I really need this job but still haven't heard anything!

velissaria

BlythBoy wrote: »

As regards the 'reserve list' I waited four months without a word and then with two weeks to go to the start date I get placed on the reserve list. Surely, if the application process was well run why didn't we get an answer sooner. Why did Capita state on the 23rd. November I would be told within 2 weeks? Why did Capita repeat this again four further times during the last four months.

:T :T Very well said. And regarding Siftability, don't forget my case: they wrote to me that I "did well" in the test, but was rejected for the Enumerator roll anyway, without any further explanation! Plus, in the application forms I stated that I also speak three languages, which would have come handy when contacting minorities, but still was rejected or put in reserve!

I wonder like most others, if there is a pattern here, i.e.

1. Preference for younger people (in their 20s), who would be available on short notice; older and more skilled people would prefer better job offers in the meantime or get crossed (as it happens). So basically, young people = more easily exploitable.

2. No matter when we applied they waited to reach a number of applications for a certain area, and then, at the last moment, started shifting through them in an alphabetical order. What if, when they got the number of people they needed by a certain letter, the rest were either rejected or put in reserve??

I was put in reserve and my surname starts with "T".

Btw, I understand that the people who got a job with the census are happy and want things to run smoothly. I wish you all well! But, if CAPITA had 300,000 applications as they told me, there are thousands of us out there who are really crossed!

BlythBoy

velissaria wrote: »

:T :T Very well said. And regarding
I wonder like most others, if there is a pattern here

I totally agree with you. On the one occassion when I managed to talk to Capita they said I did very well on the test and on the interview (this was in December and I was told I would know by the end of the year, he didn't say what year!). I wonder if we can find out how Capita are selecting through the Freedom of Information Act as this is a government process. Like you, perhaps I should have changed my surname to Mr. Aardvark as I'm way now the alphabet on the surname stakes.:rotfl:

full-time-mum

BlythBoy wrote: »

I totally agree with you. On the one occassion when I managed to talk to Capita they said I did very well on the test and on the interview (this was in December and I was told I would know by the end of the year, he didn't say what year!). I wonder if we can find out how Capita are selecting through the Freedom of Information Act as this is a government process. Like you, perhaps I should have changed my surname to Mr. Aardvark as I'm way now the alphabet on the surname stakes.:rotfl:

Perhaps we should do an unofficial poll!

I'll start:
Reserve, mid 40s, H

BlythBoy

full-time-mum wrote: »

Perhaps we should do an unofficial poll!

I'll start:
Reserve, mid 40s, H

Reserve, mid 40's S

Georgey1

Well as I said before, I was given a conditional offer, did the training and have so far heard no more from them. I am 28 and surname S. I most definitely am not available at short notice as I have a baby (which the interviewer was made aware of). They didn't ask specifics of my current or previous employment, but when I mentioned I'd worked in schools as a teacher, the interviewer perked up and said he was going to note that down.