2 Week Work Trial

Linda32

Hello all,

I've just come across, what I think is known as a two week work trial. Its new to me so I was wondering your opinion on it.

Assuming the Job Centre allow such a thing (will miss a signing date and won't be available for paid work or interviews etc) I have rang them this morning, but the person didn't know and asked me to ask at my next signing date :doh: And not to mention the same for my Mortgage Insurance.

This is at a Doctors Surgery and if you get through the interview process you are asked in to do this trial, full time work for two weeks. So thats a full two weeks petrol which is expensive when on £65.40 a week, plus food etc.

What do you think, would you try? would the outlay prevent you doing this.

Just after opinions etc, as I've never come across it.

I've done a small training session before but that was for two hours, I didn't get that job

SueC_2

For clarity, are they suggesting you do a two week work trial, for no pay, and without contributing towards your expenses?

hermum

Info on JC website, http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employment/Jobseekers/programmesandservices/DG_173561
HTH
If I've read it correctly you will be able to claim your benefits & travel expenses. This works both ways, you'll also know if it's the right job for you without being penalised if it isn't.
Think the above only applies if you trial for 4 weeks & 1 day or more up to 13 weeks.
just found another bit on another site,


A work trial is a trial of up to 15 working days in an actual job vacancy with an employer and
is entirely voluntary.
Work trials are for those who have been:
• unemployed for 26 weeks or more (although there are some exceptions to this), and
• receiving a qualifying benefit (for example, Jobseeker’s Allowance, Incapacity Benefit
or Income Support

GotToChange

Although it is meant to offer some kind of safety net (which is indeed mutually "beneficial" for employer/ee), I always think that this is a rather shabby way to treat a potential employee; a half or full-day trial should be enough. It indicates a rather ugly lack of faith.

They should also offer to refund your travel expenses and a lunch allowance, most especially (but not only) if they know that you are receiving JSA. It sucks in all kinds of ways and I know that such treatment - along with expecting an applicant to pay for their own CRB check - indicates a rather poor employer in my book.

I don't think that the JCP can force you to undertake it - it really is a judgement call on your part I'm afraid.

Linda32

SueC wrote: »

For clarity, are they suggesting you do a two week work trial, for no pay, and without contributing towards your expenses?

Yes thats correct. In this context, to be clear, "they" means a GP Surgery not the Job Centre

This work trial isn't through the Job Centre, nothing what so ever to do with them, in this instance. I wasn't even aware that the Job Centre offered this.

This is copied from the email I received this morning from the GP Surgery:-

Hi
Thank you for replying to the advert. Interviews will commence week beginning 28.02.11. To help us, please can you send a hand written cover letter stating why you would be the best person for this job and a copy of your CV. To help find the right candidate we would ask you to do a 2 week unpaid work placement if chosen after the interview process.
Thank you for your interest,
Thank you

Linda32

Although it is meant to offer some kind of safety net (which is indeed mutually "beneficial" for employer/ee), I always think that this is a rather shabby way to treat a potential employee; a half or full-day trial should be enough. It indicates a rather ugly lack of faith.

This was my thoughts to be honest, and rather a long way of going about things from there point of view as well, I mean, if I was the first and didn't work out, how many times are they going to trial different people before they chose. At two a month this could go on for months and months. Seems hard work for the company to me

They should also offer to refund your travel expenses and a lunch allowance, most especially (but not only) if they know that you are receiving JSA. It sucks in all kinds of ways and I know that such treatment - along with expecting an applicant to pay for their own CRB check - indicates a rather poor employer in my book.

From the email, its up to me to pay petrol, lunches etc.

I don't think that the JCP can force you to undertake it - it really is a judgement call on your part I'm afraid.

hermum

I would be more than happy to undertake a 2 week work trial, after 2 weeks you are more likely to know whether the job is right for you & you for the job. After a day you still won't know everyone's name, let alone what the job entails.
If you are eligible for travel expenses & still get your benefits while doing it, then I can't see you would have anything to lose, except maybe a good job if you turn it down.

olias

I wonder if this 2 weeks just happen to coincide with the same two weeks that one of their other staff is on holiday and they are short staffed?

Seriously, I have no objection in principal to the idea of a work trial, but as stated, a day or two is surely sufficient? And in my opinion, the employer would be out of order if they did not at least offer to pay out of pocket expenses.

To the OP, do a search on work trials, there have been several threads where it is apparent that supermarkets have started to do this where the trial happens to coincide with busy periods - christmas/new year/easter etc, and unfortunately the promised job never materialises after the trial. I find it worrying that other smaller employers seem to be starting to apparently do the same.

edit.. Just had another thought. What would happen if one of the people this employer interviewed and liked was already in employment? Would the 'work trial' still be expected and the person have to take holiday off work to do it, and if not why not?

Olias

SueC_2

Blimey, not much renders me speechless, but this has almost managed it. Setting aside the moral wrongs and rights, the benefits and disadvantages for each sides, they are also limiting their recruitment process to people who:

- Don't currently have a job
- Aren't claiming JSA
- Are financially able to support themselves with work expenses but zero income
- Are available for the next two weeks at the drop of a hat
- Are able to sit waiting x amount of time while all of the other successful interviewees carry out their two week placement (shortlist of 4 means a two month wait between interview and appointment).

To be honest, I'd say that's a fairly small pool of people, so if you're in the position to be able to do it there probably won't be that much competition!

fat-pudding

That's utterly outrageous! I've had similar in every job I've ever done it's called your "probationary period" and if you don't pass your probation you get dismissed as not suitable/capable for the job. With one major difference, you get paid!

Jowo_2

I know in the age of the volunteer and the intern, that work trials are probably more prevalent.

I support the Job Centre offering this as an option because it allows the job seeker and company to see if they are suited and perhaps prevents a revolving door situation with the job seeker.

I can also see why it offers the company a greater chance to identify the potential and suitability of the candidate than a 30 minute interview, greater scope for the candidate to impress the company.

But I can't help but think that a 2 week unpaid trial offered outside the guidance/control of the Job Centre is a bit cheeky if they aren't going to even contribute towards your basic expenses AND you jeopardise your benefits because you miss your signing on date and aren't available/actively seeking work (because you are essentially being assessed for 2 weeks solid on your suitability).

Does anyone think that the Job Centre will agree to the OP going on an unpaid work trial not organised by themselves? Is it quite easy for the OP and this company to channel it through the DWP?

If it can't be an authorised JC trial, do you think the company should at least allow the work trialler time to sign on during that period? After all, she can still actively look for work in the eves/weekends and still, in theory, be available to take up any other offers of employment.