Tesco - despicable Christmas temp recruiting practices

PS123

Dakta said:

PS123 said:

prowla said:

Thinking about it - if you have some staff an say "Who's available for Thursday and Friday night this week?" and one says "Me!" but another says "Nah, sorry.", which are you going to want on-board?

I think as far as seasonal work goes, a lot of folks would have the attitude of grabbing as much work as they can.

You missed the point. They are advertising a role as being part-time but yet they want someone full-time.  So why not advertise the role as full-time?  It saves the whole argument of "we expect you to work the hours that you will be given", which is their way of saying "we expect you to work full-time hours even though we advertised the job as being part-time".

To me it more says 'we expect you to work the hours we have' - they probably know they will require at least part time, but whether the workforce will need to work beyond that is an unknown.

the christmas period is a bit special where workload goes up exponentially for an almost nothing of time relative to the rest of the year  and its a management nightmare, especially as its hard to predict what resources will be needed. This company will be amongst hundreds or thousands looking for people to jump in and take on as much hours as they can get depending on company workload. Given the nature of christmas I don't actually think this is all that despicable, companies do have to find a way to economically cope and whilst it might seem a bit demanding, it's to deal with a demanding situation.

Ultimately you found something that suited you better so it's no deal. 

Actually it is a big deal for me.  If the job advert clearly mentioned that they expected the individual to work full-time hours even if it was advertised as a part-time role then I would never have wasted my time applying for the role, give them an hour's worth of free labour and sit down in an interview where they wanted me to tick all of the boxes for availability and I felt pressured to do so.  Yes, my intention was to work only part-time and not be expected to work all the hours offered to me but rather be able to freely accept any additional hours given to me without having to worry that they would "let them go" if I did not want to work the additional hours.

Dakta

Well it shouldn't be, not only did you find out before starting it wasn't for you, but you found something better.

I don't think there's anything that unusual in finding a role isn;t quite what you thought it was, and with it being christmas the business savvy will be all too aware the existence of the role is to fill an urgent labour shortfall therefore won't lend itself readily to flexibility.

As for giving them free time, yonks ago I interviewed at ASDA and spent some time on the shop floor. Big deal it was part of the proces. It wasn't free labour as we did little productively overall and they had to invest in someone's time to show us what we were doing and be with us. Not sure how tesco do it but it was an indication of what the work would look and feel like not a way of getting jobs done for free.

74jax

PS123 said:

Undervalued said:

PS123 said:

I recently applied for an advertised part-time Christmas temporary position at my local Tesco as a night worker.  The whole interview process was a bit surreal and jarring to the effect that I looked for and accepted a job elsewhere.

Last week, I attended the interview process late at night.  After an hour's stint of putting out products on shelves, which I can only assume was a way of getting free labour out of candidates, even if they tried to sugar-coat it "to experience what it would be working like", I was called back to the office to be interviewed by the night team produce manager and the night team manager.

Although they mentioned that I would be contracted to work 16 hours per week, split over two nights, as advertised, the night team manager stated to me that they expected me to work all of the hours that would be offered, which upon clarification was at least 5 nights a week.  Already I was thinking what was the point of advertising a job as part-time, if in reality, they expected the employee to work full-time.

When I questioned about this practice, I was informed by the night team manager that using the part-time hours arrangement was an easy way to let go of staff who were not performing. When presented with the availability sheet for hours and being reminded that it was expected that I would be working at least 5 nights a week, I felt pressured into ticking every single box for my hourly availability.

After a few more questions, the night team manager gave me an example of where they let go of an an employee who wanted to revert to working only their contractual hours.  I could not believe what I was hearing!

To make matters worse, I am over 40 years of age, and just as I was about to leave the interview, the night team manager mentioned that they would be interviewing "the younger ones" the following morning before they would come back to me to let me know if they would offer me the position.

This interview process at Tesco really made me question what values UK's biggest supermarket really has towards its employees.  I thought readers would wish to know as I have never experienced such an interview process anywhere in my life as this.

To date, despite being told that I was offered the job, Tesco did not ask whether I have accepted or not and they have not even sent me an employment contract to sign, although I am expected to attend an induction later this morning!

It has changed my whole perspective about working for Tesco now.

On the other hand, my experience with my job interview at Sainsbury's was amazing!  I was not pressured at all, met really friendly managers who were genuine with what they said to me and was offered a job the next day where I was presented with the employment contract to sign!

OK, that is a good rant and you are of course quite entitled not to work for them if you so choose!

I am struggling to see anything unlawful.

You're right but the night manager could have just said "we interviewing more candidates tomorrow"...rather than implying that I may be too old for the job.

You never said that in your opening post. You said - 
the night team manager mentioned that they would be interviewing "the younger ones" the following morning before they would come back to me to let me

Which to me doesn't read as though he was implying you were too old, and I didn't think that when I initially read it. 

Either way, you don't want to work there and have something better so just put it down to interview experience. 

Thrugelmir

PS123 said:

Grumpy_chap said:

I suspect that the exact process varies between Tesco stores - what the OP experienced is different to my experience in 2020 (and my next door neighbour's experience).

It was clear, though, from my experience, that Tesco were seeking candidates that were "hungry" to work for the store.  Quite a reasonable filter to apply.

I can understand that they're looking for a full-time worker but I applied for a part-time post because I only expected and wanted to work part-time.  I have my own reasons for wanting to work part-time for the time being.

The role is only going to last a few weeks though. Tesco aren't going to be interested in those that want to pick and chose their work hours. Nor waste valuable time on rostering. 

Marcon

PS123 said:

Grumpy_chap said:

I suspect that the exact process varies between Tesco stores - what the OP experienced is different to my experience in 2020 (and my next door neighbour's experience).

It was clear, though, from my experience, that Tesco were seeking candidates that were "hungry" to work for the store.  Quite a reasonable filter to apply.

I can understand that they're looking for a full-time worker but I applied for a part-time post because I only expected and wanted to work part-time.  I have my own reasons for wanting to work part-time for the time being.

Then why not just tick the boxes accordingly, or recognise there is a mismatch between your expectation and that of Tesco?

getmore4less

PS123 said:

Undervalued said:

PS123 said:

I recently applied for an advertised part-time Christmas temporary position at my local Tesco as a night worker.  The whole interview process was a bit surreal and jarring to the effect that I looked for and accepted a job elsewhere.

Last week, I attended the interview process late at night.  After an hour's stint of putting out products on shelves, which I can only assume was a way of getting free labour out of candidates, even if they tried to sugar-coat it "to experience what it would be working like", I was called back to the office to be interviewed by the night team produce manager and the night team manager.

Although they mentioned that I would be contracted to work 16 hours per week, split over two nights, as advertised, the night team manager stated to me that they expected me to work all of the hours that would be offered, which upon clarification was at least 5 nights a week.  Already I was thinking what was the point of advertising a job as part-time, if in reality, they expected the employee to work full-time.

When I questioned about this practice, I was informed by the night team manager that using the part-time hours arrangement was an easy way to let go of staff who were not performing. When presented with the availability sheet for hours and being reminded that it was expected that I would be working at least 5 nights a week, I felt pressured into ticking every single box for my hourly availability.

After a few more questions, the night team manager gave me an example of where they let go of an an employee who wanted to revert to working only their contractual hours.  I could not believe what I was hearing!

To make matters worse, I am over 40 years of age, and just as I was about to leave the interview, the night team manager mentioned that they would be interviewing "the younger ones" the following morning before they would come back to me to let me know if they would offer me the position.

This interview process at Tesco really made me question what values UK's biggest supermarket really has towards its employees.  I thought readers would wish to know as I have never experienced such an interview process anywhere in my life as this.

To date, despite being told that I was offered the job, Tesco did not ask whether I have accepted or not and they have not even sent me an employment contract to sign, although I am expected to attend an induction later this morning!

It has changed my whole perspective about working for Tesco now.

On the other hand, my experience with my job interview at Sainsbury's was amazing!  I was not pressured at all, met really friendly managers who were genuine with what they said to me and was offered a job the next day where I was presented with the employment contract to sign!

OK, that is a good rant and you are of course quite entitled not to work for them if you so choose!

I am struggling to see anything unlawful.

You're right but the night manager could have just said "we interviewing more candidates tomorrow"...rather than implying that I may be too old for the job.

I read that as if we can get enough kids that want to work we will employ them as they are cheaper.

Marvel1

When I worked for Asda, the book was open for available shifts for overtime as staff were on leave - most of us students soon filled those extra evening shifts and weekday shifts over the summer.

They won't advertise for full time as they know part timers will fiil the spots when a full timer is on leave.

Thrugelmir

getmore4less said:

PS123 said:

Undervalued said:

PS123 said:

I recently applied for an advertised part-time Christmas temporary position at my local Tesco as a night worker.  The whole interview process was a bit surreal and jarring to the effect that I looked for and accepted a job elsewhere.

Last week, I attended the interview process late at night.  After an hour's stint of putting out products on shelves, which I can only assume was a way of getting free labour out of candidates, even if they tried to sugar-coat it "to experience what it would be working like", I was called back to the office to be interviewed by the night team produce manager and the night team manager.

Although they mentioned that I would be contracted to work 16 hours per week, split over two nights, as advertised, the night team manager stated to me that they expected me to work all of the hours that would be offered, which upon clarification was at least 5 nights a week.  Already I was thinking what was the point of advertising a job as part-time, if in reality, they expected the employee to work full-time.

When I questioned about this practice, I was informed by the night team manager that using the part-time hours arrangement was an easy way to let go of staff who were not performing. When presented with the availability sheet for hours and being reminded that it was expected that I would be working at least 5 nights a week, I felt pressured into ticking every single box for my hourly availability.

After a few more questions, the night team manager gave me an example of where they let go of an an employee who wanted to revert to working only their contractual hours.  I could not believe what I was hearing!

To make matters worse, I am over 40 years of age, and just as I was about to leave the interview, the night team manager mentioned that they would be interviewing "the younger ones" the following morning before they would come back to me to let me know if they would offer me the position.

This interview process at Tesco really made me question what values UK's biggest supermarket really has towards its employees.  I thought readers would wish to know as I have never experienced such an interview process anywhere in my life as this.

To date, despite being told that I was offered the job, Tesco did not ask whether I have accepted or not and they have not even sent me an employment contract to sign, although I am expected to attend an induction later this morning!

It has changed my whole perspective about working for Tesco now.

On the other hand, my experience with my job interview at Sainsbury's was amazing!  I was not pressured at all, met really friendly managers who were genuine with what they said to me and was offered a job the next day where I was presented with the employment contract to sign!

OK, that is a good rant and you are of course quite entitled not to work for them if you so choose!

I am struggling to see anything unlawful.

You're right but the night manager could have just said "we interviewing more candidates tomorrow"...rather than implying that I may be too old for the job.

I read that as if we can get enough kids that want to work we will employ them as they are cheaper.

Kids don't carry baggage either. 

Jillanddy

Thrugelmir said:

getmore4less said:

PS123 said:

Undervalued said:

PS123 said:

I recently applied for an advertised part-time Christmas temporary position at my local Tesco as a night worker.  The whole interview process was a bit surreal and jarring to the effect that I looked for and accepted a job elsewhere.

Last week, I attended the interview process late at night.  After an hour's stint of putting out products on shelves, which I can only assume was a way of getting free labour out of candidates, even if they tried to sugar-coat it "to experience what it would be working like", I was called back to the office to be interviewed by the night team produce manager and the night team manager.

Although they mentioned that I would be contracted to work 16 hours per week, split over two nights, as advertised, the night team manager stated to me that they expected me to work all of the hours that would be offered, which upon clarification was at least 5 nights a week.  Already I was thinking what was the point of advertising a job as part-time, if in reality, they expected the employee to work full-time.

When I questioned about this practice, I was informed by the night team manager that using the part-time hours arrangement was an easy way to let go of staff who were not performing. When presented with the availability sheet for hours and being reminded that it was expected that I would be working at least 5 nights a week, I felt pressured into ticking every single box for my hourly availability.

After a few more questions, the night team manager gave me an example of where they let go of an an employee who wanted to revert to working only their contractual hours.  I could not believe what I was hearing!

To make matters worse, I am over 40 years of age, and just as I was about to leave the interview, the night team manager mentioned that they would be interviewing "the younger ones" the following morning before they would come back to me to let me know if they would offer me the position.

This interview process at Tesco really made me question what values UK's biggest supermarket really has towards its employees.  I thought readers would wish to know as I have never experienced such an interview process anywhere in my life as this.

To date, despite being told that I was offered the job, Tesco did not ask whether I have accepted or not and they have not even sent me an employment contract to sign, although I am expected to attend an induction later this morning!

It has changed my whole perspective about working for Tesco now.

On the other hand, my experience with my job interview at Sainsbury's was amazing!  I was not pressured at all, met really friendly managers who were genuine with what they said to me and was offered a job the next day where I was presented with the employment contract to sign!

OK, that is a good rant and you are of course quite entitled not to work for them if you so choose!

I am struggling to see anything unlawful.

You're right but the night manager could have just said "we interviewing more candidates tomorrow"...rather than implying that I may be too old for the job.

I read that as if we can get enough kids that want to work we will employ them as they are cheaper.

Kids don't carry baggage either. 

"Kids" that are apparently under 40 years old. 

There's an awful lot of assumptions here,  starting with the OP. 

Farside71

Tesco offered me a 7.5 hour contract but were open that they'd be expecting a lot more.  I come from a corporate background but have given that up, I am fairly new to the less than employee focused working practices but am going into this world with an expectation that it's a bit of a meat market.  My Tesco process was fine. It they did question me if I was aware it would be hard work after I've sat at a desk for decades.  I did perceive that as a little bit ageist but they dont want people who can't handle being on their feet all day

In the end I took a job with Argos on 20 hours for more money on a short term contract with a good chance of it being extended if I want.

On the kids angle, Tesco pay 8.91 to everyone regardless of age I believe so they are popular with young people compared to some other companies that pay a lot less.