[paulschapman]

Originally Posted by LostFool

It happens quite a lot. People will go along for "paid training" sessions but then never turn up for the first proper day on the job as they have found somewhere else to go where they can be paid for sitting in a classroom learning how to suck eggs.

I once started a job that had a 2 week training period. At the end, almost everyone "passed" the training but on the following Monday only about half of us turned up. The company didn't seem that surprised by the drop out rate.

Personally, I'd rather the military are providing the security for the Olympics than a group of reluctants dragged in off the dole queue. At least you know the boys and girls in uniform will turn up and take the job seriously - but they will all deserve a big bonus (paid for by G4S) afterwards.

Trouble is I was always brought up with a strong work ethic - I can see that for some they might not turn up - but as a basic rule of decency inform the 'employer' of the fact and why - but then G4S seem to be a particularly bad company

[Lyricalis]

Originally Posted by paulschapman

Trouble is I was always brought up with a strong work ethic - I can see that for some they might not turn up - but as a basic rule of decency inform the 'employer' of the fact and why - but then G4S seem to be a particularly bad company

I did some work back in the early 90s that required you to sit through a training course for a week beforehand. During that week I finally heard that I'd been accepted onto a post grad course that would be starting in a couple of months, so decided not to continue after the training (got a certificate for that week though ).

Anyway, I looked through all the material I'd received from the company and couldn't find any number to call to inform them. It was one of those huge companies (not G4S, it was an IT services company and I'd have been on a help desk), so where do you start? Their own bloated size just works against them.

[paulschapman]

Originally Posted by Lyricalis

so where do you start

Your line manager?

[Lyricalis]

Originally Posted by paulschapman

Your line manager?

What line manager? The week course was part of the assessment exercise to decide whether you'd get the job. I wasn't even sure who was actually running the course as it wasn't done by the company that I'd have actually been working for, I guess it was using a local provider.

I even tried the training centre to see if they knew who I'd have to contact, but they just seemed surprised that someone would bother. As phone calls cost a lot in those days, and I was on the dole remember, I just gave up at that point hoping they'd get in touch. No one ever did, apart from sending me the certificate, which was a bit odd, but then large companies tend to be grossly inefficient and like many headed beasts as we all know.

[paulschapman]

Originally Posted by Lyricalis

What line manager? The week course was part of the assessment exercise to decide whether you'd get the job. I wasn't even sure who was actually running the course as it wasn't done by the company that I'd have actually been working for, I guess it was using a local provider.

I even tried the training centre to see if they knew who I'd have to contact, but they just seemed surprised that someone would bother. As phone calls cost a lot in those days, and I was on the dole remember, I just gave up at that point hoping they'd get in touch. No one ever did, apart from sending me the certificate, which was a bit odd, but then large companies tend to be grossly inefficient and like many headed beasts as we all know.

Lecturer on the course, HR department of the company you were joining.

To be honest I have only been in the opposite position - where an agent offered work and when I chased up the paperwork he said the budget had not been released so no job (then why did you offer it you walnut )) - I was annoyed because I turned down other work because I'd accepted his offer.

[Lyricalis]

Originally Posted by paulschapman

Lecturer on the course, HR department of the company you were joining.

To be honest I have only been in the opposite position - where an agent offered work and when I chased up the paperwork he said the budget had not been released so no job (then why did you offer it you walnut )) - I was annoyed because I turned down other work because I'd accepted his offer.

Companies really shouldn't be surprised if people don't get in contact if they make it hard for people to do so. Thinking otherwise is either an indication of arrogance on their part or just shows a lack of understanding of human nature.

I'm usually very conscientious, but if a company can't even be bothered to put a named contact on their letters (and nothing like 'if you have any issues or problems, then please contact ..') then what do they expect people to do, go to a psychic for help?

[psionic]

Originally Posted by glasshalffull

And now we've got Jezza assuring us that the 1200 reserve troops now called in is "to leave nothing to chance"

According to a tweet I saw today, we will have more troops guarding the olympics then in the whole of Afghanistan. Hopefully the government doesn't feel the need to fire any more armed forces personnel after the olympics ends.

[Straker]

Assistant Commissioner of the Met just now taking part in a Press Conference about security (along with Jeremy Hunt) managed to get through a lengthy summation of what the security operation entailed without once mentioning G4S - Not a single reference to them in the whole thing!

Apparently all £300m gets you these days is the ability to become magically invisible at the time you should be taking centre-stage to fulfill your contracted duties!

And the government wonders why people begrudge paying tax......