Home » Forums

[sweetikklemunchkin]

Originally Posted by jessbob

Awww, Sweety. how confusing is that Hope Sammy comes to your aid soon

thanks hunny, hope u are well xx

Originally Posted by tsimehC

sweetikklemunchkin, I had to return a form which required me to tell them if I accepted the position or not a few days after I got a call from someone asking if I was still interested. Does your letter detail your salary, your office etc?

nope its a basic thanks and this is where u should go on the 16th thats it, no explanation, no hours except start time on 1st day, no wages nothing, how weird is that

[kaiserfan]

My letter is exactly the same, just where to go on first day and time, no wage, hours etc but i was told all that info over the phone :-)

[sammyjammy]

Originally Posted by mandie2106

Sammy, i have a question for you (if you dont mind hun). I started my position as band B/AO on monday, and its fab so far, but one of my colleagues was sayign today that they are posting again on 23rd of Nov for band C/EO in my area. As this is the level i wanted in the first place (but wasnt prepared enough and failed interview) i would very much like to try my luck at it again. Im on a fixed term contract of UP TO 18 months (my actual date for end of term is 3rd dec 2010). The problem is...this post, it states that many people posted may be used as "wastage"...ie, first out the door (no fixed term contract i assume).

I dont know what im asking to be honest. Will it go against me to apply for other positions not even a month into the job? And this "wastage" thing....would they take people on for only a few months, or is it possible to be worth my while going for this?

Arghh decisions decisions. The thing is, now that ive started and seen my actual job role and the role of people at advisor level, i SO much want to be at that level

I had to post your question into word so that I could read it and answer it together!

Mandie, you will find that many of the people that are on contracts similar to you are existing Permanent staff that have applied for the FTA posts at a higher grade. You applied for a post which you successfully got and now you’re in you see what possibilities there are to move onwards and upwards. There is no point you sitting around waiting and thinking you need to spend some time in the job before you apply. There will be people that you are working with that have been that grade and in that job for decades. Each to their own. I say this because I’ve seen what you said about people PM’ing you.

I don’t understand the term Wastage in your post. The official HR term in DWP for wastage is those that leave through dismissal, retirement or resignation. Its not general practice to employ people at EO level on a Temporary – Casual contract (which is what you are describing), we have about 2 people in the whole of Jobcentreplus so it doesn’t sound right, in fact it sounds like a rumour someone has made up, is it in writing? Did it come from someone in authority?

You would have to ask (not your Line Manager but HR) if you went for the EO job and the contract was less than your existing one would you be able to revert back to the AO contract if necessary- I would imagine that the answer is yes.

[sammyjammy]

Originally Posted by sweetikklemunchkin

Hi chuck, im very bemused, after turning down the offer for the employer engagement job, i have today rcvd a letter saying, thankyou for accepting the position of Administrative officer.

Number 1 i didnt accept

and number 2 how is the job an AO position, as already stated its more of a marketing job, not an admin position i wud of thought

im so confused now and cant even phone them to ask whats going on

if it were an admin job i wud of prob taken it, but the description didnt match the title, does marketing mean i wud be targeted, im soooo confused, i dont know what to do, or who to speak to, thank you in advance

Another !!!! up by the looks of it , I apologise on behalf of a department which has shamed itself lately with this recruitment exercise.

After I gave you what I thought was an explanation last week I looked it up on our intranet and I was pretty much right. It is like a marketing job. There are two types of employers that advertise with DWP, those who have a contract to advertise al ltheir jobs with us and are signed up to Jobcentre Plus initiatives such as taking people on Work Trials, New Deal etc and those employers who just advertise casual vacancies, its the latter that the Employer Engagement team would deal with. Informing them of the inititatives and assistance available for support both momentary and not.

AO or Band B is an Administrative grade but it doesn't necessarily mean its doing typical admin work and covers most the staff who work on benefit processing, in the contact centre. Its the back room jobs in District and Head Office that would be your traditional Admin type roles.

If they think you've accepted why don't you give them a call and ask if you come in for a couple of hours to see how it works or you could ask them if they can transfer your application to another role if you're having second thoughts.

Best of luck

Sam

[sammyjammy]

Originally Posted by scooterchick

How many private sector companies have recruited 60000 staff in the space of a year, all needing disclosures, references etc? And you can bet your bottom dollar private companies DO have waiting lists but they phrase it 'we'll keep you on file' or words to that effect. Perhaps DWP could have worded it better. Lesson to be learned.

We seem to be in disagreement again

Are you suggesting that DWP have recruited 60,000 people in a year?

Over 95% of external posts advertised have been with Jobcentre Plus whose headcount has gone from around 78,000 to 88,000. Not quite 60,000. Don't disagree with your post enitrely but if you're going to state something at least get it ballpark right.

[scooterchick]

Originally Posted by sammyjammy

We seem to be in disagreement again

Are you suggesting that DWP have recruited 60,000 people in a year?

Over 95% of external posts advertised have been with Jobcentre Plus whose headcount has gone from around 78,000 to 88,000. Not quite 60,000. Don't disagree with your post enitrely but if you're going to state something at least get it ballpark right.

LOL!!! I didn't even notice that. Slippery fingers, is that what they call it?

[thunderb0lt]

So, what is the difference between District Office and Head Office. I'm hoping to be in a back office role.

[sweetikklemunchkin]

Originally Posted by sammyjammy

Another !!!! up by the looks of it , I apologise on behalf of a department which has shamed itself lately with this recruitment exercise.

After I gave you what I thought was an explanation last week I looked it up on our intranet and I was pretty much right. It is like a marketing job. There are two types of employers that advertise with DWP, those who have a contract to advertise al ltheir jobs with us and are signed up to Jobcentre Plus initiatives such as taking people on Work Trials, New Deal etc and those employers who just advertise casual vacancies, its the latter that the Employer Engagement team would deal with. Informing them of the inititatives and assistance available for support both momentary and not.

AO or Band B is an Administrative grade but it doesn't necessarily mean its doing typical admin work and covers most the staff who work on benefit processing, in the contact centre. Its the back room jobs in District and Head Office that would be your traditional Admin type roles.

If they think you've accepted why don't you give them a call and ask if you come in for a couple of hours to see how it works or you could ask them if they can transfer your application to another role if you're having second thoughts.

Best of luck

Sam

hi Sam, thanks for that i appreciate it, 1 thing tho, its not for a contact centre its actually 1 of the main jobcentres in Sheffield, i will give them a call on monday anyway, thanks Sam

[karrytomuch]

Natomar,

I have sent the mail. Hopefully i expect a positive feedback. I have initially sent an email to Louise Perry who referred my email to somone else. Though the lady replied me but didn't address the issue. When i sent her a 3rd mail insisting on a response to my queries, she didn't reply.

So my fingers are crossed now, expecting a better response.

Thanks for the link!!!!!

[mandie2106]

Originally Posted by sammyjammy

I had to post your question into word so that I could read it and answer it together!

Mandie, you will find that many of the people that are on contracts similar to you are existing Permanent staff that have applied for the FTA posts at a higher grade. You applied for a post which you successfully got and now you’re in you see what possibilities there are to move onwards and upwards. There is no point you sitting around waiting and thinking you need to spend some time in the job before you apply. There will be people that you are working with that have been that grade and in that job for decades. Each to their own. I say this because I’ve seen what you said about people PM’ing you.

I don’t understand the term Wastage in your post. The official HR term in DWP for wastage is those that leave through dismissal, retirement or resignation. Its not general practice to employ people at EO level on a Temporary – Casual contract (which is what you are describing), we have about 2 people in the whole of Jobcentreplus so it doesn’t sound right, in fact it sounds like a rumour someone has made up, is it in writing? Did it come from someone in authority?

You would have to ask (not your Line Manager but HR) if you went for the EO job and the contract was less than your existing one would you be able to revert back to the AO contract if necessary- I would imagine that the answer is yes.

Sam,

thanks for your reply. The wastage thing confused me slightly but yes it is in writing (in an email circulated to staff). I will speak to my manager and see what my options are, ie, returning to my current position if the EO job is for less time. And of course when the vancancy opens i'll have more information about it!Thanks again! x

[mandie2106]

In reference to the duties of an AO, ive notices that many AO's in my office do very different jobs. Some face to face, some back office, some in the main office but doing non face to face duties. Im getting a bit of everything to be honest, i have a desk in the back office to deal with internal mail and stationary orders for the whole office and i also desk share in the main office to do FJR's (face to face). I guess it just depends what jobs need covered in the office you will be working in.

[natomar]

Originally Posted by karrytomuch

Natomar,

I have sent the mail. Hopefully i expect a positive feedback. I have initially sent an email to Louise Perry who referred my email to somone else. Though the lady replied me but didn't address the issue. When i sent her a 3rd mail insisting on a response to my queries, she didn't reply.

So my fingers are crossed now, expecting a better response.

Thanks for the link!!!!!

Hi karrytomuch
Where is your letter from is it Newcastle?

[viaggiopics]

Back to work question.
I am going back to work on Wednesday (EO). From what I understand, I will be losing all my benefits, but I have been looking online and from what I have gathered I wont lose them immediately.

My question is this.

I was on contribution based JSA, which ran out 3 weeks ago (I was on it for the full 6 months) and I was then placed on income based JSA. From the information I have read, I gather that if you are on income based JSA, you will continue to get housing benefits paid for an additional 4 weeks. Does this apply to contribution based jsa?

I will ask tomorrow at the JCP but I am curious today.

[sammyjammy]

Originally Posted by sweetikklemunchkin

hi Sam, thanks for that i appreciate it, 1 thing tho, its not for a contact centre its actually 1 of the main jobcentres in Sheffield, i will give them a call on monday anyway, thanks Sam

Sorry, wasn't meaning to suggest its in a contact centre but it will be mostly telephone based. Is it based in Hartshead Square?

Its a really big office and contains Jobcentre, a BDC as well as lots of Head Office teams. Definitely give them a call, nothing to lose.

[sammyjammy]

Originally Posted by viaggiopics

Back to work question.
I am going back to work on Wednesday (EO). From what I understand, I will be losing all my benefits, but I have been looking online and from what I have gathered I wont lose them immediately.

My question is this.

I was on contribution based JSA, which ran out 3 weeks ago (I was on it for the full 6 months) and I was then placed on income based JSA. From the information I have read, I gather that if you are on income based JSA, you will continue to get housing benefits paid for an additional 4 weeks. Does this apply to contribution based jsa?

I will ask tomorrow at the JCP but I am curious today.

It doesn't apply to Conts based and i think you have to have been on JSA for six months, don't know if the Conts period will count towards the six months.

Not much help am I lol, will see if I can find something else.

Sam

[sammyjammy]

Originally Posted by thunderb0lt

So, what is the difference between District Office and Head Office. I'm hoping to be in a back office role.

its probably unlikely, pretty much 95% of B/C jobs in a Jobcentre will be customer facing.

A District manager and their team are responsible for a group of Jobcentres geographically based, within these Districts there may be a Contact Centre or BDC or both, these are managed seperately by Head Office teams on a regional basis.

There are HO teams like my own who will work in either Finance or HR and support either Customer Service Directorate (Jobcentres/districts) or Benefit and Fraud Directorate (BDCs and Fraud teams) or Contact Centre Directorate (Contact Centres), the rest of Head Office will be policy teams, projects teams etc etc, these are mostly basedi nLeeds, Sheffield and London.

[Shania311]

Has your Income based JSA been actioned or have you completed the JSA3 form? If you have & they award you with JSA (IB) then yes you can get Housing Benefit from the day your JSA (IB) is actioned. For Housing Benefit Run On & Job Grant you should be claiming (and in payment) for at least 26 weeks till you sign off (calculation for 26 weeks will start from the first date of your payment so your 3 waiting days wont be taken into this). Best of luck....

Originally Posted by viaggiopics

Back to work question.
I am going back to work on Wednesday (EO). From what I understand, I will be losing all my benefits, but I have been looking online and from what I have gathered I wont lose them immediately.

My question is this.

I was on contribution based JSA, which ran out 3 weeks ago (I was on it for the full 6 months) and I was then placed on income based JSA. From the information I have read, I gather that if you are on income based JSA, you will continue to get housing benefits paid for an additional 4 weeks. Does this apply to contribution based jsa?

I will ask tomorrow at the JCP but I am curious today.

[sammyjammy]

Originally Posted by viaggiopics

Back to work question.
I am going back to work on Wednesday (EO). From what I understand, I will be losing all my benefits, but I have been looking online and from what I have gathered I wont lose them immediately.

My question is this.

I was on contribution based JSA, which ran out 3 weeks ago (I was on it for the full 6 months) and I was then placed on income based JSA. From the information I have read, I gather that if you are on income based JSA, you will continue to get housing benefits paid for an additional 4 weeks. Does this apply to contribution based jsa?

I will ask tomorrow at the JCP but I am curious today.

Link here http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTax...me/DG_10018901 suggests income based benefits for 26 weeks, wroth a try though!

[heathertheblether]

Originally Posted by mandie2106

Thanks everyone who replied to my little rant with kind words. Its nice to hear not everyone is of the same mind as those 2 who private mailed me. I have tried to help others where possible and in return recieved great help from others. Its how it should be! xx

Just read through the weekend posts. How horrid, ignorant and sneaky of the gruesome twosome to send you private mails, whilst pretending on here to be nice helpful folk like the rest of us. You have given support and advice to many (myself included) and you are right - its how it should be. You go for whatever position you want and don't let the selfish and jealous opinions of a tiny minority put you off.

[viaggiopics]

Originally Posted by Shania311

Has your Income based JSA been actioned or have you completed the JSA3 form? If you have & they award you with JSA (IB) then yes you can get Housing Benefit from the day your JSA (IB) is actioned. For Housing Benefit Run On & Job Grant you should be claiming (and in payment) for at least 26 weeks till you sign off (calculation for 26 weeks will start from the first date of your payment so your 3 waiting days wont be taken into this). Best of luck....

Thank to Shania311 and SammyJammy for your response.

After my Contribution based JSA ran out on 23/10, I had to apply for the Income Based JSA, I had to fill in the form (not sure of the form number). This was done on 26/10/2009. I have so far received one IB JSA which was last week Wednesday.

I have been receiving housing and council tax benefits for a few months, although I was on contribution based JSA.

Yet, everything I have read about going to work only speaks of continuing benefits if I was on Income based JSA for the previous six month to returning to work, there is nothing about contribution based JSA.

I will definitely ask tomorrow and post back.

Due to the almost immediate start date, I will be beyond broke and will need to borrow some money from friends, as my travel each day is £4.80 and that is using a new deal card with the 50% discount accounted for.

Ah well, I guess I cannot have it all, it is a start and I will just have to keep looking for a job closer to home.