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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To say retail jobs are few and far between?

70 replies

PampersNotPampered · 14/10/2015 17:10

I'm not fussy, I'll work anywhere. Due to severely ill health, I cannot work and I'm currently claiming ESA, which is just £57ish a week. I do however believe I could manage a part time retail job and I think that's in my best interest. Trouble is, I never realised how few and far between these jobs were until I started hunting properly!

Literally, there is next to nothing available in my area (South Essex). I can't spend too much on travel as I just haven't got it, so anything less than 12+ hours wouldn't work. Travel is very unreasonably expensive here and although my DP drives, he's working all day so unless it's a night shift I'm not going to get a lift.

I'm also going through yet another most likely miscarriage right after just having one before this pregnancy. All this pressure just seems too much Sad

I'm not entitled to any other form of benefit apart from ESA.

Thank you all x

OP posts:
sltorres9 · 14/10/2015 17:14

I don't understand your aibu? What's the problem? If you're going through a miscarriage why are you wanting to work right now? Some shops do hire around this time for xmas

ShatnersBassoon · 14/10/2015 17:14

There are a lot of companies taking on Christmas temps at the moment. Argos, Debenhams, Boots. They're all roughly 20 hours per week. It might be temporary, but if you impress them you'll be considered for future permanent roles.

Original poster
PampersNotPampered · 14/10/2015 17:19

Hi, I've looked for jobs in Boots etc and nothing at all in my area.

OP posts:
OddSocksHighHeels · 14/10/2015 17:32

Retail has a high turnover and a lot will take on temps over Christmas. I always used to keep temps on permanently if they impressed me (won't be the case everywhere though). Keep looking and the jobs will come up but there are so many applicants for each role.

Also why retail rather than other part time jobs?

Savagebeauty · 14/10/2015 17:34

There are loads of seasonal jobs every where

nancy75 · 14/10/2015 17:39

Are you near lakeside? they will probably have jobs on their website, or go in and walk around - most places will start looking for xmas temps soon.
Be warned xmas in a shopping centre like lakeside is brutal - very long hours/ very late night opening and very grumpy customers!

HelenaDove · 14/10/2015 17:40

Shatners ppl without kids have to have 30 hours minimum to claim tax credits.

Original poster
PampersNotPampered · 14/10/2015 17:44

Nope, Lakeside is too costly to get to and isn't that close :(

I'd be more than happy to fill a Christmas Temporary role, but so far no such luck. Will of course keep looking.

OP posts:
ShatnersBassoon · 14/10/2015 17:46

I don't know about tax credits. Can you get them if you're not paying tax? Minimum wage on part-time hours might bring the op in under the tax threshold.

Seeyounearertime · 14/10/2015 17:50

If you're in anyway poorly then I wouldn't suggest retail. I worked for Asda for a couple of years. Long hours, always on your feet, bending, twisting etc and having to deal with often unpleasant customers etc.
Then there's the guilt tripping into doing more shifts than you're contract, how you'll be "letting your team down" etc.
It's not an environment i would recommend tbh, it was harder than the 15 years in spent in a steel factory.

Original poster
PampersNotPampered · 14/10/2015 17:50

Shatners, you must be over 25 to claim those if you don't have children, or 16 and over if you do.

OP posts:
FrozenPonds · 14/10/2015 17:51

You mustn't wait for the jobs to be advertised.

Most companies have online enquiry or application forms.

All of the people I know with jobs in retail sent speculative applications, applying in advance of positions opening up, and having their applications held in a central bank.

They will contact you of you pass the online filtering bit.

ilovechristmas123 · 14/10/2015 17:52

wouldnt her DH be claiming the wtc already as he works

ilovechristmas123 · 14/10/2015 17:54

are you entitled to claim PIP

Original poster
PampersNotPampered · 14/10/2015 17:55

No, my DP isn't claiming working tax credits either as he's also under 25.

OP posts:
Original poster
PampersNotPampered · 14/10/2015 17:58

I can claim PIP and I have done but I've currently had to make an appeal as it was decided I don't qualify. The new legislation is so strict, especially compared to what DLA was like.

OP posts:
ilovechristmas123 · 14/10/2015 17:59

can you not claim because of your ages,if so that is so unfair op

Original poster
PampersNotPampered · 14/10/2015 18:02

ilovechristmas, yes, it is indeed because of our ages. I totally agree that it's unfair too. I wouldn't mind but it's not like DP doesn't pay his taxes etc like everyone else, of whom is on the same income but gets more in return.

OP posts:
HelenaDove · 14/10/2015 18:17

Age discrimination should work both ways

Ive posted this on other threads but a friend of mine works in a supermarket and her colleaugue does 28 and a half hours a week (shes over 25 but no kids) Shes been working there for over 4 years. Shes kept asking them for extra hours and they keep telling her there arent any despite taking on other temps at Xmas. They do sometimes offer her extra hours at Xmas but only when it benefits them. She has looked for other work but there is nothing and what there is clashes or overlaps with the job she already has.

They also lied to the temps they took on telling them the jobs were permanent. Three of the six temps walked when they found out their last day of work was Christmas Eve. They stated they wernt happy about being lied to.

This is the reality of working in retail today.

ilovechristmas123 · 14/10/2015 18:19

thats disgusting op,i bet he dosent pay less tax because he's under 25

so so unfair

TheBunnyOfDoom · 14/10/2015 18:23

We've advertised lots of jobs at work recently (large supermarket chain) and we had four applicants.

The work is out there, especially on the run up to Christmas. You have gone in stores and asked for applications, or gone on their websites and applied online? A lot of places will let you apply and will keep your application on file if there's nothing available just now - might be worth it.

ijustwannadance · 14/10/2015 18:26

I don't understand. If too severely ill to work, how can you get a job. If I was to interview you and knew you were severely ill and/or pregnant then no way i'd offer a job. On paper you would be instantly too unreliable. Sorry. Maybe you could volunteer somewhere for a short while to see if you could actually cope with working part time and get experience at the same time.

HelenaDove · 14/10/2015 18:35

Bunny the thing with temp jobs is by the time tax credits pull their finger out the job has finished.

Friend of mine ended up living on £50 a week for 2 months while waiting for them to get their arse in gear.

Of course it could all be solved by employers paying a decent wage and enough hours but employer gets to pay less NI if a job is part time.

TheBunnyOfDoom · 14/10/2015 18:41

Yes, but OP has already said she won't get tax credits as she's under 25. Not that that's remotely acceptable, but it means that won't be a problem for her. And surely some money is better than none at all? Confused

HelenaDove · 14/10/2015 18:45

Of course it is but ppl who are working in supermarkets are having to live on the breadline and that cant be right.