Christmas Casual MDEC workers - Reserves?

[wva39]

After going to the recruitment day at the MDEC in Plymouth I wasn't contacted for weeks about the position. I then logged into my account with Royal Mail and my status was changed to 'Hired and Start Date Confirmed' (even though I hadn't heard from them). I then had a phone call from Angard saying that all the positions had been filled but that I would be put on the reserve list. Out of interest, is it likely that I will be asked to work if I'm on the reserve list? I've heard that loads of people drop out/don't turn up for work so I'd like to know my chances.

Also, the guy I spoke to from Angard told me that If I went down to the MDEC office to 'sign my contract' and had over my passport photos etc then I would be more likely to be chosen if someone doesn't turn up for work. I assumed that I would have already signed the contract at the registration day, after all what are all those forms for? And why hadn't I been told about this in the first place? He then told me to 'turn up to my preferred shift anyway' in case someone doesn't turn up. I can't help but think that this is completely ridiculous... If I turned up at MDEC without actually having a shift I'm pretty certain they'd laugh me out of the building. Can someone give me their wisdom?
Thanks :)

[chrisj]

My tuppence worth...

Go with the flow! That is, If you really want the job. Angard can be a bit disorganised sometimes but they also have a lot of people to deal with at Xmas.

If you have been offered the Reserve position then you should take it - what's the worst that can happen?

The first thing to do is to go to the Registration and Contract signing event at their office (if that is what is specified) or at the MDEC office - if that is what is specified.

Take your Passport (as you are just a Reserve at this stage), you should download and possibly print the Angard Handbook (it is on here), read it and be informed.

I have some attachments above. The Angard full contract, the signature part, the 48-hours Opt Out, Induction booklet.

One more attachment to follow.

Just go down to Angard and show some willing and be flexible...

Select a Shift: 6am-2pm (busy but more chances to getting as it will not be slect by folks with other jobs), 2.30pm-9.30pm, 2pm-6pm, and Night shift 10.30pm - 5.30 or 6am

[chrisj]

Read Induction Booklet and answer the questions in the attachment below.

If you turn up with all these and you show that you are keen, I bet you will get a shift even before the start of work - and that is around the 23/24/25th of November.

Good Luck!

[wva39]

Thanks for replying! And thanks for the forms

This is the thing, I've already been to the registration event with my passport, national insurance number and proof of address so MDEC have all the copies of those. I also signed lots of paperwork at the event and picked my preferred shift (I can't remember exactly what I was signing, but I assumed one of the things I signed was the contract). It sounded like once I had done all of that and passed security checks I was almost guaranteed a job over Christmas.

That's why I'm confused that this man from Angard has asked me to 'drop by' the MDEC office to sign said contract. He hasn't given me a specific time he just told me to turn up randomly and bring some passport photos. I hadn't heard any of this before, so I have a feeling if I do turn up they will be like 'why are you here?' and shun me out of the place . He said that doing this would improve my chances of being picked first as a reserve... I just had a feeling he didn't know what he was talking about.

I shall pop down again with these forms filled in and see what they say, thanks!

[chrisj]

You could not have signed the contract.

Yes, Angard has a lot of details about you but that does not stop them asking for more - they seemed to assume that people that apply for their jobs are up to no good But to be fair, the employers also want strict security and immigration and, work permit and student status checked.

The Contract signing is after you have passed your security clearance and you are eligible to work. Also during the contract signing, you will be given the start date, training days (short or long depending if you are a returner) and the shift patterns,

As you are a Reserve, you have not be given a firm confirmation of shift or even employment/assignment. That is the reason why you should go with your Passport and the documents etc - just to be safe instead of being sent back to fetch or even losing a place to someone who is more prepared.

Proof of identity and status is important to Angard - so do not take it personally. They ask you to print things which they already have and you might not need and they waste your time but if you get a 3.5 weeks assignment out of it, then it might be worth it.

[wva39]

Ahhh okay, thank you very much