Councillor Barnett-Ward to move:

This Council notes:

That legislation around the use of unpaid trial shifts for prospective employees is unclear and allows unscrupulous employers to exploit job seekers.

That Unite the Union has reported a six-fold increase in complaints related to unpaid trial shifts.

That an attempt to introduce national legislation to require trial shifts to be paid at least minimum wage failed the second reading because it was ‘talked out’ by the Minister for Small Business, Consumers and Corporate Responsibility.

This Council believes:

That workers should be paid for their work, including training time.

That making a job offer conditional on the job seeker being willing and able to work for free is a discriminatory practice, particularly disadvantaging job seekers with caring responsibilities, or who require special accommodations to work.

That responsible employers who require trial shifts before making an offer of employment should pay the applicant at least the national minimum wage for the time they work.

This Council resolves:

To ask officers to report back to an appropriate committee on the development of an accreditation scheme that encourages and celebrates ethical recruitment practices by Reading’s employers, including, but not limited to, a commitment to paying people during any trial period.

Pursuant to Notice, a motion was moved by Councillor Barnett-Ward and seconded by Councillor Emberson and CARRIED:

Resolved -

This Council notes:

That legislation around the use of unpaid trial shifts for prospective employees is unclear and allows unscrupulous employers to exploit job seekers.

That Unite the Union has reported a six-fold increase in complaints related to unpaid trial shifts.

That an attempt to introduce national legislation to require trial shifts to be paid at least minimum wage failed the second reading because it was ‘talked out’ by the Minister for Small Business, Consumers and Corporate Responsibility.

This Council believes:

That workers should be paid for their work, including training time.

That making a job offer conditional on the job seeker being willing and able to work for free is a discriminatory practice, particularly disadvantaging job seekers with caring responsibilities, or who require special accommodations to work.

That responsible employers who require trial shifts before making an offer of employment should pay the applicant at least the national minimum wage for the time they work.

This Council resolves:

To ask officers to report back to an appropriate committee on the development of an accreditation scheme that encourages and celebrates ethical recruitment practices by Reading’s employers, including, but not limited to, a commitment to paying people during any trial period.