The work programme

mattcanary

Desecrated_Landscape wrote: »

How is training over 4 weeks in a professional kitchen exploiting someone? We could offer a lot like getting a person a level 2 food hygiene certificate providing them with a reference tip share free meal on duty and teaching new skills which could give them new direction in life or is working in a charity shop which they could arrange anyway without the work activity not actually real exploitation? I know if i was in that position which i would prefer.

To be fair, an individual could experience work experience themselves by asking your restaurant directly, rather than being given the experience by the Workforce provider.

melysion

Desecrated_Landscape wrote: »

How is training over 4 weeks in a professional kitchen exploiting someone? We could offer a lot like getting a person a level 2 food hygiene certificate providing them with a reference tip share free meal on duty and teaching new skills which could give them new direction in life or is working in a charity shop which they could arrange anyway without the work activity not actually real exploitation? I know if i was in that position which i would prefer.

Pay them the minimum wage during those 4 weeks and I would applaud your efforts. No one will convince me it's ever right to force people to work for free

Generali

melysion wrote: »

Pay them the minimum wage during those 4 weeks and I would applaud.

Most catering firms can't afford to take on excess staff. By doing this the OP can give valuable experience to someone who is having trouble finding work and can also help out a member of staff who is struggling.

The OP isn't expecting a revolving source of free labour, merely to use a Government scheme to advantage both them and also someone who is unable to find a job. Hard to see what's not to like.

Morlock

Mandatory Work Activity is supposed to be of 'community benefit', which is why most placements are in charity or non-profit sectors. Working in a kitchen for a profit making enterprise does not fulfill the criteria for an MWA placement.

Fieldsofgold

Why don't you offer this sort of work experience to students doing catering courses at your local college?

dandelionclock30

Desecrated_Landscape wrote: »

How is training over 4 weeks in a professional kitchen exploiting someone? We could offer a lot like getting a person a level 2 food hygiene certificate providing them with a reference tip share free meal on duty and teaching new skills which could give them new direction in life or is working in a charity shop which they could arrange anyway without the work activity not actually real exploitation? I know if i was in that position which i would prefer.

Its exploitation because your intending not to pay them for working as a basic catering assistant.Before suggesting that other take up this offer you should go and work for nothing apart from your tea and a reference and see how you like it. Then come back and say what a great idea it is. A person can get a food hygiene certificate from a one day course anyway. I'd tell you to stick it myself.

mro

Desecrated_Landscape wrote: »

I mean the mandatory work activity and for people on it doing this is better than a charity shop.

Mandatory Work Activity placements:
-need to be of benefit to local or wider community
-be additional to any existing or expected vacancies

That's the rules, so they are usually charity based.

You could get an apprentice, offer a 4 week Work Trial where there is a possible job or Work Experience placement which is voluntary, or get an additional paid worker (temp/part-time/full-time).

Maybe you were thinking of Work Experience placement, which is voluntary, contact your Jobcentre.
.

melysion

mattcanary wrote: »

To be fair, an individual could experience work experience themselves by asking your restaurant directly, rather than being given the experience by the Workforce provider.

That's different of course - because then they would be offering their services for free rather than being forced into it.

melysion

Generali wrote: »

Most catering firms can't afford to take on excess staff. By doing this the OP can give valuable experience to someone who is having trouble finding work and can also help out a member of staff who is struggling.

The OP isn't expecting a revolving source of free labour, merely to use a Government scheme to advantage both them and also someone who is unable to find a job. Hard to see what's not to like.

The current employee is struggling therefore extra pair of hands is actually required. This should be a proper job - end of story.

Morlock

Desecrated_Landscape wrote: »

...increase her confidence by not feeling the lowest in the kitchen...

You want someone on MWA to be the lowest of the low to boost the self-esteem of the lowest ranked employer, not one of the best reasons to offer an MWA placement.