Author's product rating: 
| Advantages: |
Flexibility, reliable, pays well, variety of work, can lead to a permanent post . |
| Disadvantages: |
None for me |
| Recommend to potential buyers: |
yes |
MY EXPERIENCE OF HAYS ACCOUNTANCY
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When I left the NHS last year, after a period of ill-health, little did I know that I would return, and definitely not as quickly as I did. Within 5 months, when I thought I would look for some temporary work I was back. However I was back with Hay's Accountancy.
The hospital trust I had worked for in the past used to have it's own pool of clerical bank or temporary workers. Some years ago, in an attempt to cut costs and be more efficient I guess, this went out to the private sector. The in-house pool of staff was, and is, still run for nursing staff. The clerical work contract was recently given to Hay's Accountancy.
Hays is a national company which operates in most large towns and cities I think. In my city it is run from quite a small and basic office in the old town. When I registered with them I was aware that they had other temporary work than just NHS jobs. However with my working background I was interviewed with temping for the NHS in mind. Initially I only wanted a few hours to prop up another temporary job I had started doing. After registering though I heard nothing and thought that I would give them a call as I was going on holiday.
My consultant told me that they had received very few part-time posts with the hours that I wanted, and so I agreed that I would consider anything once I was home from holiday. I know that throughout the summer break the trust has masses of University students working in the temporary clerical posts, many of whom, for one reason or another, end up staying.
I returned from holiday on Thursday the 13th September 2007. On the following Tuesday I received a phone call from Hays offering me a full time post on a scale higher than when I worked for the trust, which was expected to last for 1 - 3 months. I started that post on Thursday 20th September 2007 and I am still there. I have had my ups and downs but on the whole it has been fun and good experience. Some of the problems have been that I had never done this type of work before and, after a brief two days with the temp who preceded me, I was on my own. The only other person in the office only works two days a week and she was on sick form late November until the New Year. The office should ideally have three staff ,and will eventually.
I give you all of this background as a personal experience to show what you may find working for Hays. You need to be fairly flexible and resourceful as you may have to train yourself somewhat. As a temp it may be that there is no-one around to actually help and advise when the going gets tough. I know despite not always getting things right and making some mistakes I have been successful in this post. However I do not want to stay as it is full time and can be quite stressful. I have secured a 25 hour permanent post back at the trust at a much quieter site. Well as permanent as anything is these days. With only 6 years maximum until I can retire at 62 the post should hopefully last that long.
What I have found from my experiences is that if, for example, you wanted a permanent post with our trust, you stand a very good chance of getting it if you are temping first. Many new employees arrive this way these days. As my workload increased my boss agreed to an admin support temp to help me where possible and so things have got a little easier. Of course now I feel as if I actually know what I am doing, which does help.
HAYS ACCOUNTANCY
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When you register with Hays you will need to make an appointment first. They will no doubt advise you but you need to take with you your passport and two forms of ID, such as a fuel bill with your name and address on. They will need to have your bank details also.
When I arrived at the office I had to fill out a questionnaire and take a typing test. This was to try and match you with appropriate work. After all it is no good putting you in as a fast and accurate data inputter if a keyboard is a mystery to you.
I then had an interview with the consultant ,for the NHS, and one other person. This was done fairly informally and was nothing to panic about.
Hays pay weekly and as such you only have to give one weeks notice of your intention to leave. However for NHS workers, if they actually secure the post that they have been working in temporarily, they have to give one month's notice. I think this is because so many staff end up in permanent posts in the NHS.
My pay always arrives promptly in my bank account on a Thursday or Friday. It is supposed to be a Friday so the Thursdays are a bonus. On a Wednesday your pay slip arrives in the post with a time sheet and envelope for the next week, although I have plenty of spare ones.
Each week you have to complete a time sheet and get your manager to sign and agree your hours. Mine is very good and my hours have been somewhat flexible, working more hours when the service has needed and less with all the house problems I am undergoing at home at the moment. This time sheet is then posted of to head office in the provided, addressed envelope but you need to supply the stamp. Hays recommend that you use a first class stamp to ensure prompt payment but I do not always do this and I have had no problems.
When I started working for Hays the hourly rate included a payment in lieu of holidays, which made for a really good rate of pay but of course there was no holiday pay. Since January they have had to change, in line with European rules. Now each week your pay shows an amount which is deducted and is to pay for any holidays. If you do not take any holidays this amount of pay can be taken at the end of your contract. Bank Holidays used to be unpaid but this may have also changed.
CONCLUSION
**********************
So for me working for Hays has been a positive experience. If you have any problems your consultant is only at the end of the phone line and will try and help you as much as possible. You receive a starter pack once you have your assignment with Hays and this includes time sheets and plenty of information. There is even a leaflet which, if you complete and recommend a friend who registers with Hays, you will receive £100 worth of House of Fraser vouchers.
Hays offers that degree of flexibility that many people need these days. You could work for them just as a stop gap or on a permanent basis temping in various roles. Remember also that if you are struggling to find permanent employment it may be a good way to secure a job also.
Additional information.
*************************************
Please note: The rates of pay, in my experience anyway, are way above the minimum wage.
Hays Customer Services is on telephone:- 0800 716026 although there are local office numbers. They are an international company operating as far away as Australia.
email:-customerservices@hays.com
Hays also offer many discounted deals such as cinema tickets and broadband packages which can be found on a passworded Hays site.
Thanks for Reading
© Eiley 2008
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Review of Hays Accountancy Personnel by
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Advantages: Erm, the chairs in the interview room were comfy
Disadvantages: They didn't listen, keep me waiting, ignored what I wanted
...Personnel, part of the enormous Hays group. They claim to be the largest specialist accountancy agency in the country and at least market leaders in their other divisions. Frankly, the mind boggles how they managed this. Anyone who has ever dealt with an agency will know that they always want you to come in for an interview before they start searching for you. My first visit to Hays was a catalogue of disasters, not all Hay's fault. To begin with ...
...walked into the offices of Hays Accountancy Personnel. I made myself known to the receptionist who gave me a form to fill in: Me: I've already had one of these. I sent it to the consultant. Receptionist: Well, can you just fill it in again? Me: Why? Receptionist: Give you something to do while your waiting. Hmmm, not a good sign, am I going to be waiting that long? Surely not. So I sit down and ignore the form, five minutes later I am bored so I ...
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23.10.2002
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The other side of the coin on Recruitment
Review of Hays Accountancy Personnel by
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Advantages: Many offices
Disadvantages: Staff not very helpful
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12.10.2004
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 Poor service recruitment consultant
Review of Hays Accountancy Personnel by
Fantasyman
Advantages: Large pool of employers(and employees)
Disadvantages: Expensive for employer, poor service
Hays a large accountancy recruitment company. Generally accountancy jobs are offered via agencies rather than by adverts in the local paper or your local job centre.
I have been involved with Hays as a job seeker and as an employee.
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04.11.2004
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Review of Hays Accountancy Personnel by
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Advantages: Erm, Good website?
Disadvantages: Unhelpful staff
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 Hays Accountancy
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Advantages: Very few, although their website is not bad
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