I am new to the UK and due to having trouble finding jobs that had the hours i needed i took a recommendation to work with an agency. They basically get anyone a job, but the pay isnt fabulous and your hours aren't protected. The first job was great, inspecting car parts at a factory. I did this for a few months and then they told us we have too many workers and that im on hold until further notice.
My agency got me hired at a different car factory with a harder job. I was excited to keep the money coming in. But this manager was cruel. I suffer with anxiety and take medication for it. Sometimes i zone out for short moments. This manager literally looked at me with a disgusted look and said are you alright? Is something wrong with you? Are you intoxicated?
I said no, i am on anxiety meds. He asked me this after i asked him to repeat where he told me to lay a pallet. He then proceeded to ask me what meds im on. I tried to put this behind me and crack on with work. He kept making rude comments. He printed some labels for me and said if you muck this up ill be really annoyed. Anyway, next day im working with him and hes literally yelling at me to run with the pallet jack and being a jerk. A massive truck came, and when we pulled all the stock inside i grabbed my bag and left when he wasnt looking. I worked there 5 days.
I went straight to the agency, 3 agencies, after work that day. Ultimately my original agency got me a job at a medical waste facility. Its been a couple days its actually not as bad as the last position. But i only have 3 days a week these first 2 weeks and i cycle about 7 miles to get there. Thankfully i only need to complete 2 more shifts then i can quit!
I had an interview for a permanent position job near home in a factory and its actually a pretty sweet easy job. They called me an hour later and said i got the job full time day shift! Im so excited to stop working for agencies and have a normal job with a contract. I feel like i can finally feel secure in this new country now with my wife and son. I wouldnt reccomend working with agencies unless your desperate. It wasnt easy and i was forced to lose pay and hours many times. Im still not doing what i love yet, but i hope it wont be too much longer.