2 Week Work Trial

Googlewhacker

fat-pudding wrote: »

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!

lol unless you are sacked for discriminatory reasons (sex, race etc) reasons your 'probationary period' as you put it is actually 12 months!

Linda32

SueC wrote: »

- 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!

Hi, Thats a very good point, I hadn't thought of it like that :T Its quite near to where I used to work actually, so I know it will be at least £15.00 per week petrol money for a start. I am in a position to be able to afford that, although I don't really want to pay it. At the moment £10.00 last me a fortnight or there about because I hardly go anywhere, for obvious reasons.

Linda32

fat-pudding wrote: »

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!

I agree, I had this in my last job, it was a three months trial where by either parties could give notice, but as you say, you get paid for the proper work you do.

Linda32

Jowo wrote: »

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.

Hi,

Not complying with the JC rules was my first worry as well, I'm well aware that my payment from the Job Centre is for "seeking work" which I can do evenings and weekends, but then can't be available for interviews etc. I'd hate to refuse an interview whilst doing a job trial :mad: That said, I doubt I would refuse one if the situation arose.

I really can't see the JC allowing it, unless its one of their schemes, which I learnt about from this thread posted by someone else. (Let alone my Mortgage Insurance people) I did ring the JC but whoever I spoke to hadn't a clue and told me to ask next time I sign :rotfl: so got no further there.

Thanks to everyone for there input.

hermum

Jowo wrote: »

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.

In the first link I gave to JC it says that you can arrange your own work trial. It even suggests that you can mention it at interview if you think that the employer is unsure as to your suitability.
It also looks as though you still get your benefits & travel expenses while doing it & no comeback if it's not right for you.
So surely much better than signing off & then discovering that it's something you can't do.

dugdale_2

Please speak to your JCP adviser as if you undertake a two week trial without their permission you could have your claim sanctioned as your might be deemed not to be available for work for that two week period.

JCP encourage work trials however they need to contact the employer to ensure that
there is a job available at the end of the trial
the job will meet or exceed national minimum wage
the employer meets certain health and safety criteria.

If the above are met (some paperwork for the employer to complete) JCP will
excuse signing for the duration of the works trial
pay your travel expenses
pay you a meal allowance.

Linda32

dugdale wrote: »

Please speak to your JCP adviser as if you undertake a two week trial without their permission you could have your claim sanctioned as your might be deemed not to be available for work for that two week period.

Wouldn't dream of not checking first, trust me, being sanctioned is the very last thing I want to happen. As far as I'm concerned these no "might be" about being available for work, I "Won't be" available.

dugdale wrote: »

JCP encourage work trials however they need to contact the employer to ensure that there is a job available at the end of the trial. the job will meet or exceed national minimum wage the employer meets certain health and safety criteria.

Thats the thing, they are more then welcome to contact the employer as far as I'm concerned. But theres only a job available if I'm still the best candidate, after they've trialled everyone else as well. I'm sure it exceeds NMW and health and safety.

dugdale wrote: »

If the above are met (some paperwork for the employer to complete) JCP will excuse signing for the duration of the works trial
pay your travel expenses
pay you a meal allowance.

Do they pay allowances even if its a private company doing this of their own back with no backing from the job centre? This job wasn't even advertised with the Job Centre, it was in the local paper.

dugdale_2

The Job Centre don't do work trials it's the employers that offer them (maybe after a suggestion by a Jobcentre staff member).
As long as the trial is agreed by Jobcentre Plus and all the relevant paperwork has been completed Jobcentre Plus will pay the travelling expenses and meal allowance and no, it doesn't matter who the employer is Jobcentre Plus will pay the allowances.
I'll let you in to a secret here, Jobcentre plus advisers used to have a target of a certain number of work trials a year, most Jobcentres have dropped these targets but it is still seen as a "pat on the back" for the adviser if a customer gets accepted onto a works trial and subsequently is offered the job. Your adviser might well be over the moon if you tell him / her that you've been accepted onto a works trial specially if they've not had much to do (if anything) in organising the trial.

cassieB57

two points ; the post about the Work Trial being for jobseekers claiming over 26 weeks is out of date, it changed to open it to anyone on JSA and is up to a month. I agree with dugdale (mainly because that is his job so he/she knows what they are talking about!). The other point is the employer could well be in breach of national minimum wage legislation by doing this (ie the unpaid trial) and that could mean a fine of £1000 (I think) could be worth pointing this out to them.

Linda32

dugdale wrote: »

The Job Centre don't do work trials it's the employers that offer them (maybe after a suggestion by a Jobcentre staff member).
As long as the trial is agreed by Jobcentre Plus and all the relevant paperwork has been completed Jobcentre Plus will pay the travelling expenses and meal allowance and no, it doesn't matter who the employer is Jobcentre Plus will pay the allowances.
I'll let you in to a secret here, Jobcentre plus advisers used to have a target of a certain number of work trials a year, most Jobcentres have dropped these targets but it is still seen as a "pat on the back" for the adviser if a customer gets accepted onto a works trial and subsequently is offered the job. Your adviser might well be over the moon if you tell him / her that you've been accepted onto a works trial specially if they've not had much to do (if anything) in organising the trial.

Oh I see! So just because I didn't get this application from the Jobcentre, that dosn't mean that the Jobcentre don't know anything about it? Well thats good to know anyway. I certainly want the advisers to be fully aware of what I'm upto!!!