Employers no longer offering interview expenses, Travel to Interview scheme ended

wantsajob

I seem to be experiencing many employers saying they no longer offer interview travel expenses, with the reason given as the Country's current economic situation (while often their public accounts will have a different story on the organisation's economic situation).

Also, the Jobcentre's Travel to Interview scheme has ended. http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employment/Jobseekers/programmesandservices/DG_173631

Not sure how people are expected to be able to afford long trips to interviews when they are more than likely looking for a job because they do not have a job anyway. Especially given the cost of trains and fuel at present.

Anyway, just a little rant there.

Humphrey10

I've never understood why employers would bother offering interview expenses, usually there will be plenty of people either local to the job or able to afford to travel to the interview. Unless it was a really specialist job where they were short of applicants, I don't see what benefit it has to the employer.

But the jobcentre should pay imo, how do they expect someone on JSA to afford bus/train fares?

wantsajob

Humphrey10 wrote: »

I've never understood why employers would bother offering interview expenses, usually there will be plenty of people either local to the job or able to afford to travel to the interview. Unless it was a really specialist job where they were short of applicants, I don't see what benefit it has to the employer.

One good example where interview expenses were justified was when I applied for the Fast Stream Civil Service scheme. Assessments are held in London, regardless of where the end post will actually be in the country. They were quite generous last time, and paid for travel, overnight hotel stay, breakfast, and evening meal. Wonder if they still do that?

Chances are most jobs where social mobility is important will involve travelling some distance, and a lack of expenses being available kills social mobility. For NMW jobs no-one will want to travel far anyway. I guess now it could be seen as "if you can't afford to get to the interview, then you're poor and you shouldn't be bothering". Socio-economic discrimination? Not actually illegal by any means under current law of course!

Sues48

Although the TIS scheme may have ended, you still may be entitled to help from your jobcentre, there are funds in place but it will depend on the office's budget and the decision is made by a manager not your adviser.

dugdale_2

TIS has not ended in my Jobcentre.

jobbingmusician

I would very much doubt if the CS scheme will have changed, either. The CS are a public body who have to demonstrate equality of opportunity in their recruitment processes.

Googlewhacker

All that will happen if employers are forced to pay for employees to get there (and I can't see this happening anytime soon) is say if someone would have been offered £18k but then the employers are being forced to pay for the travel arrangements then I would simply offer £17k to offset my costs.

PasturesNew

Any interviews for jobs I'd apply for would take a whole day and about £40-50 in diesel. You can't do that too many times if you keep coming a close second.

Sues48

TIS and ADF have been replaced by a new Flexible Fund which has a set budget, rather than the bottomless pit that it replaced, it is up to the Jobcentre managers as to how it can be spent, in my office it has been used to fund interview costs etc but it is not "advertised", you have to ask and each claim is looked at on it's individual merits.

DCFC79

Ill still try to claim some money back for petrol for 2 trips i will have to make this week

wantsajob

jobbingmusician wrote: »

I would very much doubt if the CS scheme will have changed, either. The CS are a public body who have to demonstrate equality of opportunity in their recruitment processes.

Last post I interviewed for was in another department within CS and they refused to pay any expenses whatsoever. I was rather annoyed they did not make this clear when they offered an interview, particularly when it was 100 miles away. I thought this unusual due to the exact reasons you give. Reason they gave when I asked was "current economic situation". ACAS guidelines state an employer should make it clear whether reasonable expenses will be covered or not when offering an interview.

PasturesNew wrote: »

Any interviews for jobs I'd apply for would take a whole day and about £40-50 in diesel. You can't do that too many times if you keep coming a close second.

Yep feel exactly the same. Not sure I see the point of looking for work anymore.