Complaints against officers

[robbo2011 0]

I have a quandary and I am hoping that some on here can help me with this decision!

I am about to retire after 30 years and I was initially offered a job with our local vehicle recovery operator running the Police scheme for them, it is Monday to Friday, 40 hours per week but not much over national minimum wage although it is a permanent job.

I have then been contacted by G4S after submitting a CV to them asking if I would be interested in a 6 month contract with the UKBA tracing overstayers. It is quite a bit more money and would be based at Manchester Airport which is about a 30 minute commute.

My question is this:

Has anyone had any experience with short term contracts with G4S and are they likely to renew the contract or find another contract when this one finishes?

I would like to take the job with G4S but after 30 years I am worried about the security, or lack of it!

[Penbwlch 810]

I have a quandary and I am hoping that some on here can help me with this decision!

I am about to retire after 30 years and I was initially offered a job with our local vehicle recovery operator running the Police scheme for them, it is Monday to Friday, 40 hours per week but not much over national minimum wage although it is a permanent job.

I have then been contacted by G4S after submitting a CV to them asking if I would be interested in a 6 month contract with the UKBA tracing overstayers. It is quite a bit more money and would be based at Manchester Airport which is about a 30 minute commute.

My question is this:

Has anyone had any experience with short term contracts with G4S and are they likely to renew the contract or find another contract when this one finishes?

I would like to take the job with G4S but after 30 years I am worried about the security, or lack of it!

A good starting point would be the G4S thread. I suspect that, when you have read it, you will not wish to work for that company.

Oh, and welcome to the forum, by the way.

[robbo2011 0]

Thanks Penbwich, where would I find said G4S thread?

[Penbwlch 810]

Try here. One warning, it is 22 pages long.

[robbo2011 0]

Phew, that took some time to read but it doesn't really answer my question.

I would fully agree with the fact that for the Olympic security G4S employed Monkeys and got severely burnt by their failures. However, the contract I have been offered is targetted at ex Police Officers, people who I believe have the highest morals and work ethic rather than those who are being sent along from the local dole office.

Does anyone else have any knowledge of the contract system and whether, once you are on their books, would you be offered future and potentially lucrative posts?

[Penbwlch 810]

The failures, though were those of G4S. Three police forces have now backed off employing them and their CEO admitted to a Parliamentary Select Committee that the company was a shambles. G4S may have difficulty in finding work for you in the future.

[Maverick22 994]

Just think what G4S means - Great4Shite. If you think back they were Group4, and Securicor, and they were not much good in those days.

They lost many prisoners, and their vans were robbed regularly.

[bikerider 5]

Supping with the devil

[torchwood 34]

I have heard bad things about G4S I was also thinking of submitting my CV but heard of other companies that set you up as a consultatant for tax purposes and forward your details direct to prospective employers , you can then claim tax back on expenses as you are a company not sure if anyone has gone down this route.

[Penbwlch 810]

Hmmm. Speak to a good independent accountant before trying this one. I am registered for VAT and am a sole trader. It is not as simple as you make it sound and there could be drawbacks for you. Of course, if you have the ability to become a sole trader, then go for it as it is much better than being employed (if you can stand the boss, that is ).

[softcap 4]

I have heard bad things about G4S I was also thinking of submitting my CV but heard of other companies that set you up as a consultatant for tax purposes and forward your details direct to prospective employers , you can then claim tax back on expenses as you are a company not sure if anyone has gone down this route.

Bit late into the game on this but if 'the companies' that want you to set up as a consultant so they can tout your services, make sure you are aware of what you are letting yourself in for. In many instances they have a contract with a client and you are the one providing services. You complete the services and send an invoice to the contractor. They may pay you immediately or may delay paying you until they have been paid by the client and it has cleared the banks - that can take weeks or months. It can also make it difficult for you to make a small claims for late payment as the contract often includes the caveat that you don't get paid until after they get their money.

In relation to expenses, you can claim them against tax whether you are a company (presumably a registered limited company) or sole trader - just that being a limited company involves more paperwork and no real benefits until the income becomes relatively high.

[torchwood 34]

Thanks for the advice

[IveToldYouOnce 1,854]

Anecdotal evidence from people working for G4S is resoundingly negative.

A mate from Ryton says that it's next to impossible to find an employee who is proud to work for them.

But, I guess, money is money at the end of the day...........you might only be able to handle 6 months with them.......