[jasonl]

I need a driver for the days my current driver is unable to drive for me , so I put this ad on Gumtree this morning , just got in to 38 applicants

http://bournemouth.gumtree.com/bournemouth/57/74127857.html

Only 3 clearly not proper english speakers , all the others seem very normal.

[Griffus]

Only 3 clearly not proper english speakers , all the others seem very normal.

Normal will have a different meaning for you very soon Jase 

[jasonl]

My grandad came over from Nigeria in 1950 , and worked hard all his life and on retirement he did charity work until he died 2 weeks ago age 90 . He made an effort to speak clearly and live our culture !

[Griffus]

A few of my customers are in or near their 80's. Most of them do some form of voluntry work and I swear the ones that keep at it stay younger in every way.

Respect to your Grandad and sorry for your loss.

[Ian Gourlay]

i am shocked you found 38 people prepared to work for guaranteed 6hrs a week on a flexiable basis

[Griffus]

i am shocked you found 38 people prepared to work for guaranteed 6hrs a week on a flexiable basis

This is part of the problem, filtering through the applications.

It is likely that most will not be suitable and of the ones that are a couple will seem OK or perfect for the job. When you give them the job, the odds are that they will let you down.

Very negative comments, I know, but when offering just a few hours, even more so when the hours are not set,  you find that the successful candidate is looking elsewhere for work. Let's be honest, who wouldn't. There is also the chance that they just can't be ar5ed to turn in.

One option is to line up a few possibles so that if one can't cover then you can call someone else.

The best option for this case scenario is use an agency. They will be able to supply as and when at a cost of around £8.25 per hour (+ VAT). The only downside is you'll have to agree a guaranteed minimum shift. You should manage 4 hours if you shop around. Due to the nature of this work I'd stick with the big boys as they're more likely to have available staff at short notice.

[clinton]

Most will want full time or part time work.

M,aybe better to give them cash in hand jason if you do find someone.

[Helen]

You may find someone who has just retired, but who is not ready to retire if you see what I mean. Do you have any retirement communities near you where you could spread the word?Most of these communities are from 55 years up, so there may be someone who would want only a few hours a week.

[richy27]

I advertised a job position a while back for someone on a part-time basis 16-20 hrs a week with the basis of going full time later in the year.

I had an enormous amount of people apply 100 s  whittled it down to 20 and interviewed. I must say i was shocked at the attitude of some . turning up to an interview looking like they had been dragged through a hedge one turned up ped. in fact it was a disaster not one i would of taken on basically most needed to be put down to save our taxes. In the end i have taken on a semi retired ex cop who helps me as and when i need him he does work for various people and is self employed to its perfect. he was a customer and got chatting about i could not find a suitable helper

basically its no wonder we have so many foreign workers in this country because they on the whole work hard and have the correct attitude to work , a lot could be said about lower pay bracket worker in the uk cant work wont work cant be assed to work we will just live on a hand out .

[Helen]

basically its no wonder we have so many foreign workers in this country because they on the whole work hard and have the correct attitude to work , a lot could be said about lower pay bracket worker in the uk cant work wont work cant be assed to work we will just live on a hand out .

This is the reason why we stopped employing. A lot who turned up(or not) for interviews were just after ticking their box to say they had actively searched for work, so they could continue to claim their benefits.
Having advertised through the job centre a couple of times, and been let down at interview point by many, we spoke to the person who administers things at the JC. We mentioned a couple of names that had confirmed interviews who had not turned up and she gladly confirmed that they knew these people were only applying to continue receiving benefits! So if the people that count know, then what hope is there?

[jasonl]

Every major retailer now offers 5 0r 10 hour contracts , and then gives more hours as and when available. think about Argos for example thousands of employees , yet only 3 or 4 in each store are full time , the rest are on 5 hour contracts , and at slack times they only get 5 hours , this has saved them millions each year for the past 2 years.

Had a guy start today , very keen good with customers , he was a painter and decorator driving to london each day for £120 , he is happy to work for less and spend more time with his family .

[Griffus]

Every major retailer now offers 5 0r 10 hour contracts , and then gives more hours as and when available. think about Argos for example thousands of employees , yet only 3 or 4 in each store are full time , the rest are on 5 hour contracts , and at slack times they only get 5 hours , this has saved them millions each year for the past 2 years.

Had a guy start today , very keen good with customers , he was a painter and decorator driving to london each day for £120 , he is happy to work for less and spend more time with his family .

We employ all but one staff on zero hour contracts and the one part timer is on annualised hours. Flexibility is something both we and our employees know all about.

The point being that it is possible but much harder to find decent staff when hours are not guaranteed. Type of work and size of employer and other benefits are also major considerations for those looking for work.