Tons and tons of white powder.
In what seems like another life now I was an unemployed university dropout with an expensive booze habit that needed paying for (a habit I still have).
Anyhow, one of my first temp jobs was for Remploy, but not for them, because they had to have able-bodied temps in for things the disabled people couldn't do.
My work day would start at 2PM with a handover from the previous shift -- which basically involved them pointing to a pallet of boxes and saying "that one next". We would then set about the boxes with stanley knives and empty the soap powder they contained into a giant sieve, whilst removing the balls and discarding them.
The air was thick with washing powder and I found out that all the Unilever non-bio powder is the same stuff in different boxes with colouring added to differentiate.
After about 6 weeks in this powder-filled atmosphere and travelling home covered in soap powder we got a new boss. The new boss took one look at us working and ordered us to stop immediately. He then ordered overalls, gloves and disposable masks and told us we had to turn the extractor fan above the sieve on at all times. Working from 2PM until 10PM in a paper mask, gloves and overall with only a 15 minute break isn't fun and, while I know there are worse jobs out there, wasn't for me and I left soon after.
Oh, and more on topic if it were a week ago -- some of the Remploy staff creeped me out, even though I know better. I swear one guy looked like that papier mache Sidebottom guy, only this wqsn't a mask.
(Me, I'm not... in any way intoxicated, Thu 14 Apr 2011, 17:43, 5 replies)

why were they
Sifting washing powder? Sounds like a fake job dreamt up as a cover up for more nefarious activities.
( sandettie light vessel automatic New Twitter - @bollocksreally, Thu 14 Apr 2011, 18:49, closed)

Could have been a rework job.
If a manufacturer or distributor has fucked up somewhere along the supply chain, they'll often pay a third-party contractor to sort it out. It's quite a common source of short-term industrial employment.
( The Mock TurtIe ™ --- Thinks you are a cunt, on, Thu 14 Apr 2011, 18:57, closed)

Yup, they fucked up and it was being sold as floor cleaner to the Eastern European countries.
It was still a bizarre job though.
(Me, I'm not... in any way intoxicated, Thu 14 Apr 2011, 19:26, closed)

Money laundering, perchance?
Sorry, so very sorry.
( number5 has been fighting tramps and losing., Thu 14 Apr 2011, 19:27, closed)

What was it about the other disabled people that creeped you out?

( Geoff the Clownfish You know Myra, some people might think you're cute, Fri 15 Apr 2011, 9:57, closed)