Care site charging for job applications
Discussion
I've been registered with a care site to notify me of any local pet care jobs that come through their site for a couple of years and was recently notified of a local dog sitting job in my village that was available.
Fine, I notice that a new box says applying for this position is '2 credits' and after sending the job application am greeted with the message 'buy 10 credits for £9' so in effect, I would be charged £2 for replying to a job advert. I click the 'no thanks' button and my application was supposedly still sent.
I didn't think that companies could charge for job applications and googling to see if it was legal or not was confusing, but I still think it's not legal to charge. Anyone know for sure?
Fine, I notice that a new box says applying for this position is '2 credits' and after sending the job application am greeted with the message 'buy 10 credits for £9' so in effect, I would be charged £2 for replying to a job advert. I click the 'no thanks' button and my application was supposedly still sent.
I didn't think that companies could charge for job applications and googling to see if it was legal or not was confusing, but I still think it's not legal to charge. Anyone know for sure?
Presumably because they could post fictitious jobs and gain money that way. In the same way some dating sites are suspected of creating profiles to ensnare the lovelorn into parting with their money in the hope of romance.
Just found this site for their reviews. Time I deleted my account !
http://www.sitejabber.com/reviews/www.care.com
Just found this site for their reviews. Time I deleted my account !
http://www.sitejabber.com/reviews/www.care.com
Edited by condor on Tuesday 16th February 16:35
A number of consumer programmes on Radio 4 have looked at "employment agencies" who charge potential employees for finding them work.
The general consensus is that, whilst not technically illegal, it is definitely immoral. Traditionally, agencies have recovered their costs by charging the EMPLOYER not the employee.
Also, as has been stated above, by charging a potential employee, there is a strong possibility that they might extract a fee from the applicant without actually succeeding in finding a placement. Indeed, an unscrupulous agent may not even try that hard to find a placement - after all, they've been paid up front.
The general consensus is that, whilst not technically illegal, it is definitely immoral. Traditionally, agencies have recovered their costs by charging the EMPLOYER not the employee.
Also, as has been stated above, by charging a potential employee, there is a strong possibility that they might extract a fee from the applicant without actually succeeding in finding a placement. Indeed, an unscrupulous agent may not even try that hard to find a placement - after all, they've been paid up front.
IF they find the job, then fine. However, quite a few of these agencies have been found to be rather "lax" in making an effort.
What come back does the applicant have if they don't get a job?
How do you know if teh agency is telling the truth?
Who monitors the behaviour of such organisations?
What come back does the applicant have if they don't get a job?
How do you know if teh agency is telling the truth?
Who monitors the behaviour of such organisations?
Eric Mc said:
A number of consumer programmes on Radio 4 have looked at "employment agencies" who charge potential employees for finding them work.
The general consensus is that, whilst not technically illegal, it is definitely immoral. Traditionally, agencies have recovered their costs by charging the EMPLOYER not the employee.
Also, as has been stated above, by charging a potential employee, there is a strong possibility that they might extract a fee from the applicant without actually succeeding in finding a placement. Indeed, an unscrupulous agent may not even try that hard to find a placement - after all, they've been paid up front.
not strictly true EricThe general consensus is that, whilst not technically illegal, it is definitely immoral. Traditionally, agencies have recovered their costs by charging the EMPLOYER not the employee.
Also, as has been stated above, by charging a potential employee, there is a strong possibility that they might extract a fee from the applicant without actually succeeding in finding a placement. Indeed, an unscrupulous agent may not even try that hard to find a placement - after all, they've been paid up front.
Some of the rights applying to candidates contained within the Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses Regulations 2003 are:
1.It is unlawful for any agency to charge candidates a fee for providing work-finding services, but it is possible for a recruiter to charge a fee if the candidate is a self-employed work-seeker providing services through a limited company.
2.An agency must confirm on what basis they are to offer work finding services and the terms, which apply between themselves and the candidate.
I assume that this company is not actually operating as a recruitment agency more as a job broker between a client and third party limited company. But hey this is PH so lets not let the law effect the answers to this thread.
Oh just for your info before I became totally hacked off with dealing with candidates and clients who were both feckless I used to work for Manpower. This meant joining The Recruitment & Employment Confederation
who's entrance exam covers the above regulations in quite some detail. While this means I am not quite up to breader's level of knowledge of employment law I do have a little knowledge
Munter said:
I don't think it's a viable business. But why would it not be legal?
They are providing a service and you can choose to pay for it or not.
For the same reason many things that serve no utility to society are deemed to be illegal. They are providing a service and you can choose to pay for it or not.
In this case, I could perfectly understand if government decided that charging people a fee to apply for jobs was deemed to be not in the interest of employer or employee or anyone else other than the -scammers-, we I mean employment agencies.
citizensm1th said:
not strictly true Eric
Some of the rights applying to candidates contained within the Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses Regulations 2003 are:
1.It is unlawful for any agency to charge candidates a fee for providing work-finding services, but it is possible for a recruiter to charge a fee if the candidate is a self-employed work-seeker providing services through a limited company.
2.An agency must confirm on what basis they are to offer work finding services and the terms, which apply between themselves and the candidate.
I assume that this company is not actually operating as a recruitment agency more as a job broker between a client and third party limited company. But hey this is PH so lets not let the law effect the answers to this thread.
Oh just for your info before I became totally hacked off with dealing with candidates and clients who were both feckless I used to work for Manpower. This meant joining The Recruitment & Employment Confederation
who's entrance exam covers the above regulations in quite some detail. While this means I am not quite up to breader's level of knowledge of employment law I do have a little knowledge
Thanks for the clarification. PH is good for this sort of thing.Some of the rights applying to candidates contained within the Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses Regulations 2003 are:
1.It is unlawful for any agency to charge candidates a fee for providing work-finding services, but it is possible for a recruiter to charge a fee if the candidate is a self-employed work-seeker providing services through a limited company.
2.An agency must confirm on what basis they are to offer work finding services and the terms, which apply between themselves and the candidate.
I assume that this company is not actually operating as a recruitment agency more as a job broker between a client and third party limited company. But hey this is PH so lets not let the law effect the answers to this thread.
Oh just for your info before I became totally hacked off with dealing with candidates and clients who were both feckless I used to work for Manpower. This meant joining The Recruitment & Employment Confederation
who's entrance exam covers the above regulations in quite some detail. While this means I am not quite up to breader's level of knowledge of employment law I do have a little knowledge
As you say, it does depend on whether the candidates are mere "employees" or "trading in their own right"!.
Have you come across agencies recommending the people set up their own limited companies? I have. Some of my clients were put under pressure by the agencies they approached for work to set up limited companies.
Now I know why.
An update.
Today I received an email from care.com to say that they were now charging pet carers to apply for pet care jobs. I could have 15 free credits that would expire after 30 days as a trial and after that I'd have to purchase credits that would expire ( if not used) after 90 days.
The benefits to pet carers are that only 5 applications for each job posted will be given to the pet owner ( who now doesn't have to pay to advertise their pet care job).
Today I received an email from care.com to say that they were now charging pet carers to apply for pet care jobs. I could have 15 free credits that would expire after 30 days as a trial and after that I'd have to purchase credits that would expire ( if not used) after 90 days.
The benefits to pet carers are that only 5 applications for each job posted will be given to the pet owner ( who now doesn't have to pay to advertise their pet care job).
condor said:
Thanks for the clarification citizensmith 
I am self employed but as a sole trader not a limited company. It would appear that the care site has now stopped charging for job applications - perhaps it was testing the water.
No surprises there. Having applicants pay is trading on their desperation a bit. Maybe there just weren't enough desperate applicants.I am self employed but as a sole trader not a limited company. It would appear that the care site has now stopped charging for job applications - perhaps it was testing the water.
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