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Jobcentre requesting copies of letters
coupes
Posts: 46 Forumite
A bit of a rant and a question here folks if anyone can help.
At my review I took with me a couple of sample letters that I have been sending out with my applications. My advisor asked if she could keep them or take photocopies of these. I declined and gave the reason that I don’t want them kept at the jobcentre as my personal information is on there. She was quite surprised at this and tried to argue her point but eventually gave up. I told her I haven’t had anyone ask me for copies before. They always read them and handed them back. Am I being oversensitive?
The point I was making to her is that I have already done my part by bringing in examples of letters and shown them to her. Why does she need to keep them on file at the jobcentre? She was saying she needed to keep some proof of my job search in case her manager asks. But I keep a diary of my job search, which they check every time I sign on. Is this odd – is she there to help me find work or build a portfolio of client’s applications to show management?
The only other reason I can think of is that the jobcentre want to phone up the employers themselves to follow up on my applications and find out if they are genuine. Just in case I have been making up bogus applications. But if this was the case I imagine it would be difficult for any employer to provide the jobcentre with sufficient proof for every application they receive.
The main problem I have is that these were my own personal letters that I have written to employers. They have my name and address, employer name and address and a brief description of my work history. Do the jobcentre have a right to request these documents or would this be a violation of my rights not to submit? thanks
At my review I took with me a couple of sample letters that I have been sending out with my applications. My advisor asked if she could keep them or take photocopies of these. I declined and gave the reason that I don’t want them kept at the jobcentre as my personal information is on there. She was quite surprised at this and tried to argue her point but eventually gave up. I told her I haven’t had anyone ask me for copies before. They always read them and handed them back. Am I being oversensitive?
The point I was making to her is that I have already done my part by bringing in examples of letters and shown them to her. Why does she need to keep them on file at the jobcentre? She was saying she needed to keep some proof of my job search in case her manager asks. But I keep a diary of my job search, which they check every time I sign on. Is this odd – is she there to help me find work or build a portfolio of client’s applications to show management?
The only other reason I can think of is that the jobcentre want to phone up the employers themselves to follow up on my applications and find out if they are genuine. Just in case I have been making up bogus applications. But if this was the case I imagine it would be difficult for any employer to provide the jobcentre with sufficient proof for every application they receive.
The main problem I have is that these were my own personal letters that I have written to employers. They have my name and address, employer name and address and a brief description of my work history. Do the jobcentre have a right to request these documents or would this be a violation of my rights not to submit? thanks
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Comments
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Yes, you are being oversensitive. The JCP already have all of your personal details, so I don't see what difference this would make?
As part of your Jobseekers Agreement, you have to provide evidence of searching for work. Anyone can write in a booklet 'applied for x vacancies this week', but the letter is actual proof of this. It is to your benefit to provide the requested information.Gone ... or have I?0 -
Thanks for the response. I agree in that i do need to provide evidence of job search and applications. I just felt that its unnecessary for them to photocopy personal documents that i have been sending out. For all i know they could just leave them lying around or put them in the bin without shredding.
It would be understandable if i hadnt even brought along a couple of letters as evidence to show. But once i have shown my advisor the evidence it should be enough. Its never happened to me before however, so it maybe just this advisor who is being fussy.
Im fairly sure id still be within my rights not to allow them to photocopy my personal documents? Because i really am looking for work and applying for vacancies as part of my agreement and ive shown them some evidence.0 -
These are not 'personal documents'. There is no information that is not already held by the JCP.Gone ... or have I?0
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I don't really understand your logic if your talking about data protection because they already have more information on you than you were going to supply.
It would have been in your interest, IMO, to let them keep the letters as supporting evidence.0 -
From my (albeit out of date!) knowledge of working in a Jobcentre I would say the person who asked if she could take copies is doing a better and more thorough job by asking if she can keep copies on file, if only because it helps out other memebers of staff that will see you throughout the life of your claim and save you having to bring the info in more than once."You've been reading SOS when it's just your clock reading 5:05 "0
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I do think you are being over sensitive, but I don't think it will matter.
If they say they are going to refer you to a decision maker, then you would need to send your letters0 -
My thanks to everyone for your input. I think a general consensus on this thread has been reached. Perhaps i really was being oversensitive - after all they are only letters. At the time i didnt see it like that. But after posting here i can understand other viewpoints.
It was a normal monthly review so hopefully this wont change anything or make them want to refer me to the decision maker. But im considering taking along some more letters at my next review and if they want to i will let them photocopy.0
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