By JOSIE CLARKE
Bo Hendgen is appalled that a young woman almost missed out on a job with her company because Winz and Workbridge failed to talk to each other and did not turn up to a scheduled appointment.
She says the agencies are setting a poor example for young job-seekers.
Ms Hendgen contacted Workbridge last month for advice about employing Hannah, a 19-year-old who had successfully carried out a week's work experience with her aromatherapy company.
Workbridge told Ms Hendgen that Hannah would be eligible for the Job Plus wage subsidy scheme and offered to set up a meeting between Winz and Ms Hendgen to get Hannah into paid employment as soon as possible.
But the Winz employee did not turn up to the meeting.
Ms Hendgen phoned Winz and says she was kept waiting on hold for 35 minutes before her call was answered.
No one from Workbridge responded to her messages.
A Winz employee later told her they knew nothing about Hannah's case and suggested she go back to Workbridge.
"I explained that we couldn't disappoint a 19-year-old who wanted to work and had found a job," she said.
But the Winz employee was "so rude and disregarding of the importance of the situation."
Finally, after Ms Hendgen left several more messages at Workbridge, a second "much more helpful" Winz employee phoned, but with the bad news that Hannah was not actually eligible for the subsidy because she had never received an unemployment benefit.
In the meantime, Ms Hendgen got sick of waiting and employed Hannah without the subsidy.
Ms Hendgen told Winz that she was appalled with their treatment of Hannah's case.
"These people are playing with people's futures. They should take more care," she said.
"Here is a 19-year-old who should be learning about business and keeping appointments, and these people are mucking around with her life. Hannah could well have lost the chance of employment."
Winz have since found a loophole in their policy enabling them to pay part of Hannah's wages because she is eligible for a community services card.
Hannah said she felt "put down" by Winz' treatment.
"They get my hopes up but then they just don't turn up."
Winz spokesman Barry Fisk said records showed Hannah started work on July 21 with a $230 grant to buy work clothes.
It was not until August 9 that Workbridge told Winz that Hannah's employer wanted to apply for a subsidy.
Winz granted the subsidy the next day and was continuing to work closely with Ms Hendgen.
Workbridge chief executive Pauline Winter said Hannah's file had no record of missed appointments or calls that were not returned.
It was up to Winz to process job subsidy applications, she said.
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.
Latest from New Zealand
Waitangi Tribunal turns, 50 but there’s no cause to celebrate - John Tamihere
The Waitangi Tribunal turns 50 - happy birthday to you.