Seasonal Work in Retirement?

huw01

I retired earlier this year at 51 and I've not been looking for work at all. However by chance from a post a saw on social media I enlisted with a supporting artist agency for work as a background extra in tv shows and films.

I've done a couple of different productions here and there in the last couple of months. A day or two here, then nothing for a month or more. You won't make a fortune from it but dependent on where you live you could be really busy if you wanted to. 

Suits me so far, really interesting, you get to meet a wide range of interesting people and the cash (although I am happy to say I don't need it) is always a bonus

ColdIron

Secret2ndAccount said:

SouthCoastBoy said:

If its seasonal work I would be surprised if they bothered with references. For the first 2 years of your employment my understanding is they can get rid of you relatively easily.

I have two stories from my time in the States:

When I was involved in reviewing applications I used to take half the application forms and throw them in the bin

My rationale was that we didn't want to employ anybody with bad luck

Pat38493

ColdIron said:

Secret2ndAccount said:

SouthCoastBoy said:

If its seasonal work I would be surprised if they bothered with references. For the first 2 years of your employment my understanding is they can get rid of you relatively easily.

I have two stories from my time in the States:

When I was involved in reviewing applications I used to take half the application forms and throw them in the bin

My rationale was that we didn't want to employ anybody with bad luck

You have watched "The Office" too many times

Albermarle

What if they are handling money (cash or large financial transactions)? What if they are working with children or vulnerable adults? What if they are parking expensive vehicles? I can think of lots of reasons why an employer might want some idea of who they are taking on.

Separately from references , employers can ask for a DBS certificate, asystem operated by the Govt.
There are different levels, depending on the type of employment. The basic one will just list any unspent criminal convictions or official cautions. 
If you want to work with vulnerable people then you need an enhanced one that can include police info that has not led to any actual conviction + a check through a 'barred' list.

Nebulous2

Albermarle said:

What if they are handling money (cash or large financial transactions)? What if they are working with children or vulnerable adults? What if they are parking expensive vehicles? I can think of lots of reasons why an employer might want some idea of who they are taking on.

Separately from references , employers can ask for a DBS certificate, asystem operated by the Govt.
There are different levels, depending on the type of employment. The basic one will just list any unspent criminal convictions or official cautions. 
If you want to work with vulnerable people then you need an enhanced one that can include police info that has not led to any actual conviction + a check through a 'barred' list.

Slightly different in Scotland, but applicants still needed a disclosure Scotland check. I've read hundreds of these, and can only recall twice seeing intelligence from the police about circumstances where a conviction had not followed.

Initially the reports were kept, but following concerns being raised about data protection it was decided that the reports could not be kept. A record that a check had been made was kept, as was the serial number, and the report was shredded. 

BikingBud

barnstar2077 said:

I have this idea that if things got a bit tight financially after retiring early that I could do some seasonal work of some kind, or at least work for an agency for just two or three months a year to give me extra spending money (not as a model, I mean as a temp worker :  )

Does anyone have any experience of doing seasonal work in their late fifties or early sixties?

Do agencies let you do a few a months here and there?

Interested in peoples thoughts on the subject and to hear if anyone has done something similar? (that isn't related to their former career, eg marking papers as a former teacher etc.)    

Surge or seasonal cover in a major supermarket might lead to other benefits, I was thinking staff discount in shopping etc, it might be an excellent benefit that gives you more than just the cash in hand.