Capita's interpreters MUST see a solicitor before signing
I know a Tier 2 interpreter, who has worked for Capita for around a year. She has not managed to pass the whole DPSI but has been working regularly as a Tier 2. Thanks to the publicity Capita's new terms and conditions have received, the interpreter has seen a solicitor (one of her relatives) and was warned about the potential dire consequences of signing this ridiculous document. She was told that she would not only be signing away all her legal rights such as her holiday pay, she would be accepting a liability of unknown proportions. Capita expects the interpreters to reimburse them for many things, without specifying how much the interpreter would be liable for. What is the cost of a failed trial? A few hundred in the Magistrates Court? £30,000 in the Crown Court? What about wasted costs orders applied for by barristers/solicitors? Up to now these orders were filed against Capita itself. Once the interpreter signs the new terms and conditions, the wasted cost orders are against them.
The solicitor made another important point: most Capita interpreters do not have an indemnity insurance. But even if they did, it would not cover them for all the liabilities Capita is shifting on to them. It would almost certainly not cover job cancellation penalties or complaint administration fees and many other things. The Capita interpreter was strongly advised not to sign the terms and conditions because they are not only unlawful, they also put her at a risk of incurring significant financial liabilities. She told me she would not be signing the terms and conditions and is looking for other work. She has a warning for other Capita workers: SEE A SOLICITOR BEFORE YOU SIGN!
