To be suprised we can't fill these vacancies at work?

[CatthiefKeith]

I have been trying to recruit weekend receptionists for over a year. Ideally I am looking for two people, who can work every other weekend. We have tried having someone that works every Sunday, and someone that does Saturday's, but it never works out.

The money isn't brilliant, admittedly, but it is above minimum wage, the work is easy and sometimes you get to mess about on boats on the river.

For the last 6 months, I have been working Saturdays, and we have had another woman just doing Sundays. She has recently found a full time job, and has realised that she loses most of her part time wages to tax, so has handed in her notice.

Surely there must be people out there willing to work weekends? What am I missing? Why can't I find any staff?

Are you recruiting the right places . Students might like this job?

It depends who you're trying to recruit, weekends are hard to cover if you need childcare and have no family help.

the hours per week may not allow people to claim tax credits, the pay may not be enough for people to give up one weekend in 2, if there is only the possibility of 2 doing the job, then people think they will have to cover e.g. if the other is sick and may have to work every weekend forever despite being contracted for every other weekend.

and ermmm... some people don't like boats?

Could you restructure the working week and have Tues - Sat and Sun - Thurs for existing staff?

Then you could try recruiting p/t Monday and Friday, to cover any gaps.

You need to find some way of advertising these vacancies in Uni halls of residences or student unions. This would be perfect for students.

Basic requirements of the job are:

Good telephone manner. Basic computer skills. Basic cash handling. Experience with SAGE preferred but not essential.

I used to do the job, and loved it, but the other girl that did opposite weekends left, and I went full time, and since then it has been a nightmare. Back then we used to swap weekends if need be, cover holidays during the week and generally be flexible, but it seems nobody else fancies the idea much!

I've advertised in the local paper, with agencies, and even on Gumtree, but although we get plenty of applicants, they are either wildly unsuitle, totally inflexible or leave within a month if it is a second job.

Panicking now because i really don't want to work Sundays until we find someone!

This would be ideal for me :( I am a mature student needing part time work!

Sounds like a nice weekend job for 6th former or student. I think most people would prefer the same day every week though.

I agree with Silvercatowner

Try your local university.

Where are you as it would suit me due to himselfs shift patterns

Have you talked to the people who left to find out why they didn't want to stay? Maybe they could offer an insight or a way to make the job more appealing.

Are you somewhere like Cambridge, mentioning the river? You might find a reliable retired person to help out.

I'm in Kent Harriet.

Exit interviews always say the same thing it is either:

I can't work every Sunday anymore because I keep getting invited to things and can't go (Especially now it is summer) or

I had no idea how much of my wages would be swallowed up with tax. (If it is their second job)

Which is why i think we need to go back to every other weekend, and two people job sharing. I have always worked in the licensed trade previously, so not working Saturday night was a massive bonus when I did the job. I guess people just don't want to work weekends.

You've got universities nearby - contact them and get them to advertise it. My institution has a work placements/opportunities department that students can be registered with to ask about vacancies. I'd try that.

But surely 6th formers do... Could you advertise at college? I worked practically every weekend from the age of 16 to the age of 23 when I started work for real. Otherwise I wouldn't have had any money!

I think every other week is definitely more attractive. I think you're right people don't generally don't want to work weekends unless they have a specific reason for wanting to do so. Ie. To fit around another job, study, partners job etc. Maybe you need to target your advertising to these groups? Not sure how though!

Having said that, I think the exception is young people who might prefer a regular Saturday or Sunday job. With perhaps the option to swap with who ever does the other day?

The only problem with students Doctor is that they tend to bugger off for the summer, which is our busiest time.

It isn't a difficult job, but it does take a while to become competent at it if you don't know anything about boats or tides, probably around 3 months or so, and when we've employed students in the past they've wanted the summer off.

Semi retired person might work well, as long as they have office experience.

I wonder if it's not enough hours for someone who needs money. Yes, every other weekend gives flexibility, but maybe every weekend would attract more people because its going to be double the pay (i.e. working 4/4 weeks, not only 2/4 iykwim?)

Could you hire a sixth former? Or is experience essential? It could be a good job for someone in school who wants some extra money.

I would be wary of recruiting students as they don't want to work weekends.

I think a lot of people would rather be unemployed and claim benefits rather than work antisocial hours.

And agree that the hours are insufficient to make it worthwhile for someone who actually needs to earn money to live.

How about OAPs/retirees?

Students would definitely be your best choice.

You are right in that if it is a second job, 20% paid in tax on £6.50 per hour doesn't leave much incentive to commit to weekend working, especially if there are travel costs involved, and it hampers socialising with all the family. All very well to say that it's every other week, but sometimes that's the only time of the week that the whole family get to spend time together.

I guess it might also suit a LP whose ex has the children EOW? I don't think I can advertise that though. Slightly illegal!

Why don't you do a 3 week weekend rota - more people to swap with etc.?

What about your local volunteering bureau? You might get someone who's applied to volunteer and can't take paid work or alternatively is preparing to re enter the workplace.