Meter Reading Job. A Con?

[Wispy68]

I've just filled out an application form for employment with a gas/electric meter reading company (Meter-U). I have just read their employment information and the company are expecting successful applicants to hand over �520, which would then be re-imbursed weekly over the first three months of employment. I would have to 'beg, borrow or steal' this amount of money! Does anyone else on AB have any experience or advice about this company? Many thanks in advance.

[dturn]

Hi Kent12, I only came on here to give my personal opinion of the job for reasons I've already given. If you're genuinely interested in it, the best people to speak to are Meter-U as you can get up to date information on pay rates etc.

[dturn]

Hi Kent12, I only came on here to give a personal opinion of the job for reasons I've already given. If you're genuinely interested in it, the people to speak to are Meter-U as they can give you up to date information on pay rates etc.

[micmic80]

I have just filled in the application form for a tyne & wear post code area. Is this not worth it. I am happy to work hard for on average 40 hour weeks but I do not want little to no free time for a pittance!!! your answers are much appreciated

[papa41]

OK - I am very suspicious of the contributers on here vehemently defending this company and the set up. If I worked for a company already I wouldn't bother looking them up to contribute on the net & its unlikely I'd defend them to the hilt even if I was deleriously happy with my lot - I'm only looking now as I was considering giving it a go. dturn et al are so obviously company plants.

I'm not applying. To treat people like such idiots when they're just looking to make an honest living is bang out of order. Get bent meter u. So glad I looked this up.

[papa41]

dturn - you've been contributing to this thread for 4 years. Wow. What a company guy. Must think we're idiots. Mind - you're better off employing idiots as they're easier to exploit. How do you sleep?

[MeterUSlave]

Meter-U exploit people who need work. They claim via their ads on the Governments JobCentre Plus web site that readers are capable of earning the minimum wage for working 40 hours per week.

This is absolute crap. To properly plan your working day you need to plan your route etc,this can take at least 2-3 hours per day, for which you are not paid.

You are expected to work within 30 miles of your home address but you do not receive any form of mileage allowance/payment.

They allocate work to you and because of their unrealistic targets this can mean that you are allocated jobs that you can not possibly complete within the designated timeframe. You are then penilsed by having your total payments reduced by 35%.

When you attend the training they are typical of so many rip off merchants, they don't have enough training manuals, heavy emphasis on health & safety crap, and nothing about how you canmake a living, sorry they do mention about using their recommended rip off accountants at £65 per month.

Don't work for this company, they seem to think that they are exempt for The Abolishion of Slavery Act.

ps their H & S Compliance manager is an absolute jobs worth.

[empo8]

You dont have to pay £520.00 the amount is only £100 andthat is for your handheld unit and the franchise position which is only payable after the four months trial and then it is taken out of your wages in two installments at £50 each. I know because my husband has joined them and recieved the information in writing when he was told he had got the job

[CostanzaIV]

empo8, If you don't mind can you say what the current pay rates are? Thanks

[empo8]

The pay while you are training is basic minimum wage then you onto your various rates per reading depending on whether you work for british gas or scotish power ifall your meters are outside then targets are achievable if all meters are inside then you have no chance for 30 hours work some training allowance and two days holidays the wages were 232.00 gross

[CostanzaIV]

Thanks, empo8.

Are there any bonus add ons on top of the £232.00 gross during the trial period? Does the pay rates increase after the four month trial period? (ie. paid per read)

[empo8]

Hi
Bonuses are paid if you reach all targets set and when you get your own franchise payments will increase if targetsare met

[MeterUSlave]

Do not work for these shower of Mangetouts.

Their business model is to get people to work for the minimumwage with no expenses and Siemens get the meters read for a pittance.

[MeterUSlave]

These people are a bunch of rogues.

I worked 40 hours per week for the last 2 months and they paid me £508 for June and now £349 for July.

They should pay the minimum wage but they don't.

Would anyone who works for these cretins care to comment?

[empo8]

August wage slip has just arrived for julys wages of which only two and a half weeks were worked and that wage was £708.32 no holiday pay as I have to put my own up so has not bad for the amount of hours worked

[TopEarner]

MeterUSlave what area do you work in?

[empo8]

Stoke on Trent Staffordshire

[TopEarner]

You might be rid of Meter U quicker than u know it. Watch this space.

[empo8]

In what way explain please your not making sense

[TopEarner]

Sorry I can't say anymore at the moment. I know it is a little cryptic but as I said watch this space.

[empo8]

ok will do but I know something is going on as one of the chief bosses is giving stuff away so to me they are going either under or selling the business on