Take this job or not bother?

[Gottabesomethingbetterthanthis]

Evening all,

(Previously put this on the 'back to work board' but I've now slightly amended the post.)

Currently on Job Seekers Allowance following redundancy. A friend has offered me an hourly paid, as and when required, role but not sure if I should take it - it won't be much more than minimum wage and I wouldn't imagine more than 3 hours per day and no idea yet how many days a week. (Potentially in the future it will be more hours and even a perm role, either F/T or P/T.) I'm inclined to take it as it'll look better on my CV whilst I'm looking for a perm role, but don't want to be out of pocket. As I've been fortunate to have always been in full-time perm roles, not sure how this role would work - would I be taken on as a casual employee, or would he hope I'd accept this job on a self-employed basis? (I'd rather the former so that NIC/Pension are paid along with holiday/sick pay etc.) Anything I need to consider or go back and ask him?

Thanks for any advice.

Is it cash in hand?

Ask what the expectation is for pay. If it's on payroll then this will prove to the job centre that you are working and looking to improve prospects.
If it's cash in hand it would be up to you to declare as self employed and issue invoices (and the faff that goes along with that) or go under the table and not declare your income- putting you at risk.

Ask the timeline for hours increasing. If it's within a few months then go for it, if it's a year you'd be better off putting all your effort into looking for a better role.

I'd take it and see where it goes. (using the other time to carry on looking if you think it would turn out to be not worth it)

Whilst I'm full-time, I'd started for an Employer who doesn't do written contract of employment, (appreciate it is verbal instead) there has been one piece of paper to fill out and the rate of pay to begin with me had me really thinking must I accept that, I was a bit scared taking the job on I don't mind saying without the immediate escape route of part time or even time to think about the offer. But, where in other 'more reputable' companies I'd be expected to actually wait the three months to get pension contributions, I'm getting them from my first pay with this lot I was concerned at.

Certainly a lesson on my perception of companies.