Campaign to cut recruitment risks

A NEW campaign has been launched to help Yorkshire businesses eliminate expensive recruitment mistakes.

Jobcentre Plus is contacting hundreds of local businesses over the next six weeks to tell them about work trials – a scheme that lets them try out a potential employee, free of charge, for up to 15 days before deciding whether to make them a job offer.

Louise Hosley from Batley Jobcentre said: “A work trial is a short test period in a real job and it’s an ideal way to fill a vacancy with minimum risk. During the work trial the employee stays on their normal benefits, so there’s no cost to the employer. They get the chance to show their enthusiasm and skills, and the employer gets time to decide whether the person can do the job and fit in with their company. There’s no obligation on either side, so employers really have nothing to lose.”

Jobcentre Plus research carried out last year showed that only 26% of employers had heard of work trials, yet more than 54% thought they were highly relevant to their business.

Interest was especially high amongst small and medium-sized enterprises, where the cost of recruitment mistakes can be especially crippling.

Most job vacancies can be offered on a work trial basis, and most unemployed people are eligible to apply for one, although there are some terms and conditions which Jobcentre staff can give advice on.

For more information call Jobcentre Plus Employer Engagement Team on 01484 228609.