25th April 2012, 09:44 AM
It's been said a number of times before I'm sure, at least by me, but having recognised salary rates (via the IfA, BAJR or whoever) is fine, but only if the hours advertised are the hours worked. Otherwise the pay rate is meaningless. I'm certainly aware of jobs that can only feasibly be being carried out on the basis of people travelling 2 hours to get somewhere, doing 8 hours (or more!) work and then travelling 2 hours back again, and I have been expected to work such hours before now. Had I known better at the time I would have refused. Of course, lots of people do it so it is a vicious circle. It's one of the most pernicious elements of current working practice in my opinion. I'm getting a little sick of loosing jobs and thinking 'the only way they could have done it for that price is to deliberately not cost in any accommodation and expect people to drive there and back each day'. It's frankly disgusting exploitation.