Volunteer and Job

tazwhoever

If a job is offered, can one ask to do volunteering to see if the job fits their disabilities before accepting the job? How can one word it to a company? I’m asking as private companies don’t offer volunteering jobs normally.

Thanks

elsien

When you say see how the job fits the disabilities, in what respect? What sort of job?
Physically, number of hours?
Are the company aware of the disability and have reasonable adjustments been considered?
We would not have done this in my last role because there were so many things a volunteer wouldn't be allowed to do that we needed a full staff member for it was just better for us to recruit the right person in the first place.
You probably need to be more specific to get any useful advice, but there's not many companies would hold a vacant post while the potential employee volunteers to see if it's right for them or not.

IAmWales

For DWP purposes, you can't volunteer as such in a role that would otherwise be done by a paid employee. You would be treated as being in remunerative work. What you can do is arrange with the employer to do a work trial, which is classed as unpaid work rather than voluntary (semantics but very important in terms of affecting your benefits).

From an employer's point of view, I would be very annoyed if I'd gone to the effort of recruiting only for the applicant to then ask if they can try out the job first. This should be done as a first step, "I see you are recruiting for a role, would it be possible for me to come in and see how I manage in the working environment before applying?", not at the end of a normal recruitment campaign.

xapprenticex

having someone volunteer costs the company money too. The company wants someone to do a job, they are not there to give you a trial with the chance you decide to walk away and they have to advertise and interview again (More money).

Also '''volunteering''' in a job you would normally be paid for would result in you losing your benefit. It only works with charities (doing a non-paid-for role) for the most part.

ariarnia

I would suggest this is what a probationary period is for.

During the first month in a new job that is your opportunity to be sure you can a. do the job and b. that the job won't be detrimental to your health or wellbeing.

If you find you are unable to carry out the job to a satisfactory standard because the employer is not able/willing to make the required adjustments (ie. the adjustments you would need would not be considered 'reasonable'), I would suspect you would have no issues asking them to let you go on the grounds of your capability/disability (hence avoiding 'quitting').

This has the added advantage that you get paid for the hours you're working so for you there's not really a downside.

Good luck

IAmWales

ariarnia wrote: »

I would suggest this is what a probationary period is for.

During the first month in a new job that is your opportunity to be sure you can a. do the job and b. that the job won't be detrimental to your health or wellbeing.

If you find you are unable to carry out the job to a satisfactory standard because the employer is not able/willing to make the required adjustments (ie. the adjustments you would need would not be considered 'reasonable'), I would suspect you would have no issues asking them to let you go on the grounds of your capability/disability (hence avoiding 'quitting').

This has the added advantage that you get paid for the hours you're working so for you there's not really a downside.

Good luck

The downside is the OP having to restart their benefit claims, and potentially being moved over to Universal Credit. In theory this should be a simple rapid reclaim, in reality it could be six weeks+ without payments.

It's a difficult position for disabled people trying to ease back into work, which is why permitted work or a work trial (both need the agreement of the DWP) would be more appropriate.

[Deleted User]

If it's a big company, you might get a first month one 2 one anyway.

Might be better trying to look into stats of how many jobs are successful when a trial day/period is involved. How would you feel if they said we're only willing to take you on such terms?

ariarnia

IAmWales wrote: »

The downside is the OP having to restart their benefit claims, and potentially being moved over to Universal Credit. In theory this should be a simple rapid reclaim, in reality it could be six weeks+ without payments.

It's a difficult position for disabled people trying to ease back into work, which is why permitted work or a work trial (both need the agreement of the DWP) would be more appropriate.

And if the refuse the job without a trial or if the job centre think they are attempting to 'put off' a potential employer in asking for a trial period they can be sanctioned.

As you say, it SHOULD be a rapid reclaim (sorted in about a week) IF the job ends up not working out.

sangie595

tazwhoever wrote: »

If a job is offered, can one ask to do volunteering to see if the job fits their disabilities before accepting the job? How can one word it to a company? I’m asking as private companies don’t offer volunteering jobs normally.

Thanks

So you discussed your disability with the employer and they still offered you a job. Which suggests that they do not see it as a barrier to employment. So why do you?

allianceinternational

When you’re considering a job offer, there’s more to think about than just how much you are going to be paid. Salary is, of course, important, and it could be the deciding factor in accepting a job offer.

However, the other parts of a compensation package are almost as important. Your paycheck will cover your monthly bills, but you also need to consider employee benefits, perks and the non-tangible things that make a job a good one.

Here are some things to consider before accepting a job offer, including what to look for when evaluating job offers, and when it can make sense to turn one down.
l Evaluate the Job Offer
l Evaluate Employee Benefits and Perks
l Get a Good Retirement Plan
l Evaluate Stock Options
l Ask for More Time
l Negotiate Salary

elsien

allianceinternational wrote: »

When you’re considering a job offer, there’s more to think about than just how much you are going to be paid. Salary is, of course, important, and it could be the deciding factor in accepting a job offer.

However, the other parts of a compensation package are almost as important. Your paycheck will cover your monthly bills, but you also need to consider employee benefits, perks and the non-tangible things that make a job a good one.

Here are some things to consider before accepting a job offer, including what to look for when evaluating job offers, and when it can make sense to turn one down.
l Evaluate the Job Offer
l Evaluate Employee Benefits and Perks
l Get a Good Retirement Plan
l Evaluate Stock Options
l Ask for More Time
l Negotiate Salary

And for those jobs closer to minimum wage, have job offer subsequently retracted for too much fannying around.