Mattie Said:

Have you noticed this in a lot of workplaces?

We Answered:

yes they take on the younger more attractive people but those young people take a lot of short cuts and make a lot of mistakes

Sandra Said:

Employment agency payment - I dont work for them!?!?

We Answered:

Yes, you are legally obligated to pay them back. If you don't, you are committing fraud, and if you accept more payments, it is just more evidence when they pursue this in court. At the very least, they are in a position to impact on your future employment opportunities. If you continue in your refusal, just hope you keep the job you have forever, because if you need to find another, this will come back to haunt you.

Darren Said:

This employment agency asked for a VOID cheque. Is it ok?

We Answered:

Yes, that is fine.

Tanya Said:

Are agencies an effective way of finding employment?

We Answered:

Yes. Employers like agencies because it's a great way for them to sample an employee without having to go through all the legal and financial commitments of hiring one.
It's more expensive for the employer to hire through an agency and then "buy" the employee from the agency, but it's often cheaper than hiring and firing multiple inappropriate candidates on their own.

You have nothing to lose by signing up with an agency. If you don't like a job they give you, you don't have to take it and you don't have to stay in it. Your pay is slightly less while you are with the agency than it would be if your were hired directly by the company, since the agency needs to take their cut, but you can negotiate a better salary if and when the company hires you permanently.