Google Answers Logo
View Question
 
Q: program by a large company for the homeless. ( No Answer,   4 Comments )
Question  
Subject: program by a large company for the homeless.
Category: Business and Money > Employment
Asked by: dprk007-ga
List Price: $20.00
Posted: 20 May 2006 14:27 PDT
Expires: 19 Jun 2006 14:27 PDT
Question ID: 730779
Some time ago I saw a program on the BBC in which Tesco (the large
grocery retailer) allowed street /homeless people the opportunity to
work at their stores(usually stacking shelves with produce)

My questions are:

Does Tescos still have this program in place and if yes a brief
description of how it works.

3 or 4 other examples of programs by OTHER large comapanies which give
street/homeless people the opportunity to work for them as a means to
integrating back into society.

DPRK007
Answer  
There is no answer at this time.

Comments  
Subject: Re: program by a large company for the homeless.
From: pinkfreud-ga on 20 May 2006 14:51 PDT
 
This site may be of interest to you:

http://www.bitc.org.uk/programmes/programme_directory/business_action_on_homelessness/baoh_sponsors.html
Subject: Re: program by a large company for the homeless.
From: dprk007-ga on 20 May 2006 15:04 PDT
 
Pink

many thanks for your link.

To quote M&S's link
"Marks & Spencer is the lead placement provider for Ready for Work - a
national programme that provides a 2-week unpaid work placement for
the homeless - as part of their Work Placement programme Marks &
Start."

2 week unpaid work placement program!!  I would consider that pure exploitation
not a real attempt to help homeless people integrate into society. 

All the other companies simply contributed to Money to Homeless charities.
(For a company as wealthy as Barclays probably a drop in the ocean)

At least the program which Tescos offered seemed to be a genuine effort to
help street and homeless people.

Nevertheless a very interesting link all the same!  :-)

DPRK007
Subject: Re: program by a large company for the homeless.
From: neilzero-ga on 21 May 2006 07:59 PDT
 
I've worked with some borderline homeless in the USA, so I can assure
you that the two weeks free is not unreasonable. Most have serious
attitude problems, are addicted to substances, plus they need
considerable help to make it though the probationary period, so
someone is paying, if not the employer. Even for menial tasks, lots of
costly supervision is needed to train these people, and some are not
trainable in two months. Never mind two weeks.   Neil
Subject: Re: program by a large company for the homeless.
From: dprk007-ga on 21 May 2006 14:25 PDT
 
Neil

"I've worked with some borderline homeless in the USA, so I can assure
you that the two weeks free is not unreasonable"

During my working life, when a company was training me whether
formally (company course for example) or informally (someone teling
how to do the job) I always remembered been paid (and at a full salary
too). Why should I expect any less of a homeless person (who REALLY do
need the money) ?

Also I am curious  Would you be prepared to do a menial job for free?    

"Most have serious attitude problems, are addicted to substances, plus
they need considerable help to make it though the probationary period,
so
someone is paying, if not the employer."

Well of course the employer is going to pay. I am not talking about a small 
10 person company trying to establish itself. I am talking about the likes 
of Wal-Mart, Home Depot, Sears , Macdonalds (and Tescos) whose
revenues are of the same order of magnitude as the GDP of Small to
Medium size European countries.
With this type of resource as well as simply donating charity they can
employ some of our more unfortunate members of our society.

"Even for menial tasks, lots of costly supervision is needed to train
these people, and some are not trainable in two months. Never mind two
weeks"

You know I was recently talking to a member of London Transport and
the training period to teach someone to drive a train (overground or
underground)  is ONE YEAR. Training period for aa Doctor is SIX years
and a Nurse 3 to 4 years. Even IT people need 3 months to one years
training to become productive.

SO two months would seem to me a very reasonable period. And in the
case of someone who was on the street a total win-win situation. If
the person makes it through they become a functioning member of
society who are able to support themselves.

Now I am not saying there is anything EASY about a program like this.
Indeed the example I saw for Tescos , the individual who was been
trained to stack shelves was having a difficult adjusting to working
life (after years of lfe on the streets caused by alcholism). Even if
only one in every five people succeed I would consider this program a
success.

I believe just as Large Companies have the duty NOT to ruin our
environment , they also have the duty to employ some of the less
fortunate member of society.
Retail companies have the type of opportunities where homeless people
can make a start (or restart) I also refuse to refer to them as menial
jobs.
 

DPRK007

Important Disclaimer: Answers and comments provided on Google Answers are general information, and are not intended to substitute for informed professional medical, psychiatric, psychological, tax, legal, investment, accounting, or other professional advice. Google does not endorse, and expressly disclaims liability for any product, manufacturer, distributor, service or service provider mentioned or any opinion expressed in answers or comments. Please read carefully the Google Answers Terms of Service.

If you feel that you have found inappropriate content, please let us know by emailing us at answers-support@google.com with the question ID listed above. Thank you.
Search Google Answers for
Google Answers  


Google Home - Answers FAQ - Terms of Service - Privacy Policy