Page 2 | To think they've made a massive mistake here?

Original poster

PepsiColaaa · 24/08/2021 13:13

@Iloveginger luckily I didn't as I'd already left my last job a few weeks before, but I did take the job on the basis that I'd have weekends off as I'd prefer that. But other people have left their jobs for this one, including one lady who left an NHS job because she didn't want to work shifts anymore.

I don't think the pay will be higher either, just minimum wage as stated in the advertisement.

OP posts:

Anonanon1234 · 24/08/2021 13:13

@PepsiColaaa

I've recently started a new job working from home. I was miserable in my old one and wanted to try something completely different. I found this job online via an agency who was recruiting for a company and they put me forward for an interview. I was offered the job last month, my equipment arrived last week and I started my training yesterday. It is only minimum wage but it was a way for me to get experience in this type of work (I've done the same jobs for 10 years). The job was advertised as working Mon-Fri 9-5 with weekends off and when I spoke to a lady from the agency she confirmed that over the phone to.

This morning whilst we were all on teams (8 of us) the trainer asked everyone to explain why they had applied for the role. One person said it was because they had a family and wanted to spend more time with their kids on the weekends etc. At that point the trainer must have realised and asked us all if we knew it was shift work. Apparently they operate 7 days a week 8-8 Mon-Fri and 9-6 on weekends and we would be expected to work shifts. They are also open during all public holidays (even Christmas Day ). I explained that there had been no mention of any shift work at all and I was under the impression that it was Mon-Fri. Everyone else said the same. Apparently we only work that during the 2 weeks training and then we start working on a rota basis.

It's not a huge problem for me as I've worked shifts before and I don't have any other commitments, but I think it's terrible that the agency have given all the applicants the wrong information. Some people have even left their jobs to take this one. One lady said she wouldn't have taken the job if she had known it was shift working as she has other commitments on weekends. Obviously some wires have been crossed but AIBU to think this is a huge cock up on the agency's part? Or maybe even the company itself if they've not passed the correct information on?

We're all stuck now and unless we want to be unemployed we need to continue with the job...

You're not stuck, as you haven't signed anything.

Fuck that, I'd just leave and look for something else. Not on atall, I'd also be making a formal complaint to the agency.

FranceTeam · 24/08/2021 13:17

Never trust an employment agency, they are all lying scum

QueenBee52 · 24/08/2021 13:17

@FranceTeam

Never trust an employment agency, they are all lying scum

yip

HoppingPavlova · 24/08/2021 13:19

Still do not understand. I don’t know of anyone who has provided notice with an employer before viewing and signing the contract for the next job! Also no idea who would front up to a job without having signed the contract? We won’t let people walk through the door without a contract being signed, we did have someone where it was a quick start, admin balls up etc and they had to wait in visitor area until contract was obtained and given to them to review and sign (and that was with them already receiving a copy, negotiating a few changes etc then it somehow slipped through cracks, so not as though it was their first view). They were also between jobs otherwise it would have been sorted earlier, as I said no-none gives notice without having signed.

Seemingly, if someone hasn’t signed then they can’t be on the premises as staff as they are not covered under insurance for workers should they slip over on their way out if the loo, are not bound by any confidentiality, just causes a host of potential liability issues no employer would want to risk.

DelphiniumBlue · 24/08/2021 13:21

Contact ACAS.

Anonanon1234 · 24/08/2021 13:22

@HoppingPavlova

Still do not understand. I don’t know of anyone who has provided notice with an employer before viewing and signing the contract for the next job! Also no idea who would front up to a job without having signed the contract? We won’t let people walk through the door without a contract being signed, we did have someone where it was a quick start, admin balls up etc and they had to wait in visitor area until contract was obtained and given to them to review and sign (and that was with them already receiving a copy, negotiating a few changes etc then it somehow slipped through cracks, so not as though it was their first view). They were also between jobs otherwise it would have been sorted earlier, as I said no-none gives notice without having signed.

Seemingly, if someone hasn’t signed then they can’t be on the premises as staff as they are not covered under insurance for workers should they slip over on their way out if the loo, are not bound by any confidentiality, just causes a host of potential liability issues no employer would want to risk.

Good responsible employer. Seems PP's new employer are a bunch of Cheeky Feckers, I don't believe the agency messed up atall...I feel like it's a tactic to get people in, try and make them believe they're over a barrel and can't leave.

KilledByWitches · 24/08/2021 13:24

B&Q did this on me once, fortunately I found out beforehand.

Pre covid, went for an interview for a part time 3 weekday afternoons position. There were about 5 of us in the training room in store when the Manager casually dropped in it was full time including weekends. We all raised it immediately that this was not what the job advert had said. One person even had a copy of the ad from their recruiting site. He seemed disinterested in how the mistake had happened and said if it didn't suit then we could leave. Everyone walked out.

Utter waste of everyones time.

Original poster

PepsiColaaa · 24/08/2021 13:26

I'd already left my last job weeks before I even applied for this one @Anonanon1234

OP posts:

bjrce · 24/08/2021 13:29

HI OP,

Unfortunately, this is a tactic emplyed by Agencies, a few years I was returning to a company I had previously worked at as a contractor.

The Agency contacted me to inform me I was sucsessful in my applicant and the contract would be with me ina few days time.

After numerous efforts to get a contract, It was Friday evening, I was due to start the new job on the following Mon, I still didn't get a contract.
I contacted the Agency and told them If I didn't get by contract by COB Friday, I wouldn't be taking the job.
They got the contract out to me within the hour.

Previous posters are correct, there's a lot of underhand tactics used by Agencies.

Longdistance · 24/08/2021 13:30

They lied on the job advert and lied to the agency or the agency lied. Either way, complete balls up. Typical minimum wage company, expect a fucking kidney for shit pay.

pointythings · 24/08/2021 13:31

I second everyone who is saying it isn't a mistake, it's intentional and meant to draw you in. Really ought to be illegal.

SuperstoreFan · 24/08/2021 13:33

@HoppingPavlova

Still do not understand. I don’t know of anyone who has provided notice with an employer before viewing and signing the contract for the next job! Also no idea who would front up to a job without having signed the contract? We won’t let people walk through the door without a contract being signed, we did have someone where it was a quick start, admin balls up etc and they had to wait in visitor area until contract was obtained and given to them to review and sign (and that was with them already receiving a copy, negotiating a few changes etc then it somehow slipped through cracks, so not as though it was their first view). They were also between jobs otherwise it would have been sorted earlier, as I said no-none gives notice without having signed.

Seemingly, if someone hasn’t signed then they can’t be on the premises as staff as they are not covered under insurance for workers should they slip over on their way out if the loo, are not bound by any confidentiality, just causes a host of potential liability issues no employer would want to risk.

I've never signed a contract and I've employed by a Local Authority for 15 years.

Bucanarab · 24/08/2021 13:36

They’ve done it deliberately. This shit happens all the time because there a glut of jobs and a dearth of workers

It speaks volumes that the default soluiton to that problem isn't "how can we make this job more attractive to potential employees" but "what can we do to trick people into accepting this job". Shows just how much contempt some businesses have for their employees.

Fernando072020 · 24/08/2021 13:38

I'm confused as to why you've all left your jobs before even seeing the new contract? Not trying to be snidey, I'm genuinely curious?
DH has just gotten a new job. The new place sent him his contract, he reviewed it, signed it, HR sent him a confirmation, they received it, THEN he put in his notice at his current place.

Of course the agency or company has been underhanded here but you have to look out for yourselves...I really don't understand why people would leave their security before double checking the new job!

Backwaterjunction · 24/08/2021 13:39

Your contract only has to contain a line like “work as and when required or busy” or “our workload is varied and our employees are required to be available or adaptable”

Or some such variance and not even mention shift work and they will have covered just that point.

I was caught out in my early 20s to signing up to a salaried position that was a 9 to 5 job 5 days a week that included “occasional unpaid overtime reasonable to the job”

I assumed this may be 2-3 hours a week, I turned out to be up to 5 hours a day, everyday and up to 12 hours on Saturday all unpaid, some weeks I could clock up 25+ unpaid, it was in a recession so I felt I had no choice, I asked an employment expert and they said the contract could be interpreted how they wanted it. I felt used and cheated for 2 years, it still annoys me all these years later how I was used.

Woodmarsh · 24/08/2021 13:40

I've been in my job for 6 years still don't have a contract

Waitwhat23 · 24/08/2021 13:41

Seconding a pp's suggestion to contact ACAS - www.acas.org.uk/contact

thisplaceisweird · 24/08/2021 13:41

Hmm my first thought was that it sounds a bit dodgy, possibly an MLM, are you sure it's a legit company OP?

What industry is it?

thisplaceisweird · 24/08/2021 13:43

what was the interview process like?

CorrBlimeyGG · 24/08/2021 13:47

This is a common tactic by agencies. They've been doing it for decades.

There used to be a government body that investigated agency scams. The Tories disbanded it.

Nancydrawn · 24/08/2021 13:50

I'm baffled by people who say they're in a job with no contract! Always, always get something in writing. If it's the kind of job that might not have a formal contract, then at least get an email confirming conditions.

And don't leave a previous job without a new contract unless you can afford to walk away.

prh47bridge · 24/08/2021 13:51

@Goofers

It’s a legal requirement to get a contract before your first day, did they not read their contracts?

No, it isn't. The legal requirement is that the employee must be given written particulars of their employment on the first day of employment, not before, and a "wider written statement" within 2 months. The information about shifts should have been provided on the first day.

Original poster

PepsiColaaa · 24/08/2021 13:51

@Fernando072020 as I said before I'd already left my last job weeks before applying for this one as I was so unhappy and fed up

OP posts:

GinIronic · 24/08/2021 13:53

I would finish the training and work 40 hours a week Monday to Friday. Leave the ball in their court to sort out. Don’t budge on working shifts.