Hays to renwew your security clearence.. for a fee?!

[Zippy]

This is a scam, I have reported them to the appropriate authorities.

PZZ

Would the appropriate authorities be the DVA?

[gingerjedi]

What a scam, I wonder if they would be so kind as to accept me onto their database (without charge) if I could prove I was already cleared by sending them an email from my MoD email address?

Perhaps I should send my CV on Monday and see what happens?

[Olly]

"However, if the clearance has lapsed or is void, we can offer a service to revalidate your clearance by approaching our sponsor/prime contractor to start the renewal process in advance of the contract start date."

It's not clear what this means.

I don't know why you're all outraged. I wouldn't blink an eye to pay 350 to get security clearance and open up a whole new set of jobs

Why is it a "scam" to offer to get security clearance for 350 notes? Ok the checking bit might be as it could just be a phone call, which means 58 quid is pricey, but still not a "scam"

[digerido]

So what would happen if you coughed up the £350 and couldn't get cleared?

Would you get a refund?


This whole thing just doesn't seem right to me...

[SuperZ]

I have sent an reply to the email. Even if you have clearance they want you to pay £57.50 to store your details on their Security Cleared database, which itself is probably illegal for one thing at least ( it is not stored at a secure site)

F`ing con artists.

I`ve requested they remove my details from their records.

Note that it states to "renew" not to "obtain" (for those who haven`t recently had it).

Would be interested to hear what Malvio thinks . Proves this agency won`t touch you with a barge pole regarding applying for SC jobs if you don`t already have clearance and not even then if you aren`t willing to pay to get it verified even if you have it!

Don`t employment laws also state that an agency/company cannot charge you in order to open up the doors to work for you?

[SueEllen]

Don`t employment laws also state that an agency/company cannot charge you in order to open up the doors to work for you?

Yep it does.
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employme...cies/DG_173258

There is an interesting link at the bottom of the page.

And the actually law: http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2003/20033319.htm

I don't expect the page to be up for long.

[contractreviews.co.uk]

Outrageous indeed!!!!

Who did you report them to, Apsco?

Mardi

[malvolio]

Would be interested to hear what Malvio thinks .

THis is rumbling along on another forum, where I originally posted:

However, since clearance is in practice a pre-requisite for certain roles, and they are charging you money to cover their own administrative responsibility, I would suggest they are in fact charging you money for finding you work. Which, I respectfully suggest, is totally illegal.

Also, if you want to chack your status, phone DVA and ask them for free. That's all Hays will do.

Seriously unimpressed, to be honest.

[sparkymark]

The worry here is that Hays may be creating a revenue stream where contractors need to pay a form of annual subscription. If you where to wait until you've seen a post before trying to get cleared, would that be to late? Wouldn't you then be better off getting cleared in advance to ensure you get a chance to apply, for only a minor charge.

I you then see a post advertised later in that year you've paid to be cleared for, you can then pay your £50+ to apply & if successful, you'll know that for a whole year after your contract ends, applications will only cost £50+ a pop, without having to pay another years annual subscription.

500 people apply at £50+ a pop, maybe 10 go for interview & 1 gets value for money?

This may prevent contractors adopting the sales style of swamping the market by applying for every job that looks even close to their skillset, with the mindset that if you apply for 100 your bound to get a couple of interviews.

I always thought that the fee the agency charged the customer was to cover the applicant handling costs, obviously now they need to recoup a bit of price fixing fine money & so create a cash feed from both ends

Will it work? I'm going to buy a few Hays shares on the off chance

[Joner39]

Not a con, but there is something not right.......

Guys,

I phoned Hays for clarification and they didnt know.......They could not even clarify for me, exactly what they mean.

The question I asked was:

"Are you refusing to consider me for SC Roles unless I pay for the clarification even though I have phone numbers and details of my clearance?"

Answer:
"I'm not sure really, the person you need to speak to can be contacted by the email address in the notification we sent you" At which point I advised that I was calling the number listed in the same email for questions regarding the email!!

All it takes is a phone call however, there are some costs involved and Hays are now (IMO), carging contractors for this.

I had a similar thing with BT. I had to pay £20 for some check to be done (Similar to CRB but NOT CRB) or I could not start, but at least i had signed contracts and definately had the role. I think more agencies will start doing this. Hays do not get the money so they must have been paying this out of thier cut and are now looking to charge the contractor for it. Bet they wont be charging people looking for perm roles......

Bottom line is, IT Recruitment persons are nothing but pimps. Most dont even know the IT Industry.........and pimps work by thier own rules....(Apparently ;-)

Makes m think Hays have a ot of SC Contracts coming up and are looking to lock it down somewhat.........

Conspiracy theorists unite!!! :-)