JSA Interview nightmare

Casati · 27 July 2010 at 6:14PM

Hi There

Me & my partner went in for an interview at the jobcentre today as we are making a new claim for JSA.
The whole thing was a shambles from start to finish. The Guy interviewing us did not make any eye contact with either of us & mumbled to us with his face turned away to the extent we could not understand most of what he was saying. He did not understand what my last job position was (OK fair enough it was an unusual job) and struggled to find 'boxes to tick' for any of the positions I am looking for.

To cut it short, we were then presented with numerous bits of paper to sign. When I turned the papers over to see what I was signing he kept turning them back over and saying 'NO you sign it HERE' and even covered up the page apart from the signature bit at the bottom.

The upshot of it is that I have now signed a job seekers agreement where
1. The types of jobs I am looking for is incorrect
2. The days & hours I am availaible to work is down as unlimited when they will in fact be limited by the availaibility of public transport on evenings / weekends in my area.

Basically it appears he's filled it in on the computer without actually 'agreeing' anything with us. I can't believe I was so stupid as to let him stop me from reading it but by this point I was really upset by the whole experience & to be honest would have chewed off my right arm if it would have got me out of there quicker.

I have no idea if / when I will see any money. I have had no opportunity to ask any questions about the JSA process ( we have never had to sign on before)

So I guess I'm stuffed..:( Actually make that unemployed, foolish, too easily intimidated, broke & stuffed

Any thoughts or input would be appreciated. And yes I know I handled it really badly, so if possible please don't rub it in, I've had about all I can take for one day...

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Snakeeyes21 · 27 July 2010 at 6:40PM

Sounds like you got one of the unhelpful ones, they arent all like that.

Have a word with the person you next sign on with, they will probably palm you off to another person but they can usually draw up another job seekers agreement, and explain it all to you.

When will you get money? how long is a piece of string? have you had a letter confirming you are elegible, its usually one saying we can pay you from xx date, at a rate of xxx etc etc.

if you havent recieved this yet you might get it before you sign on for the first time, usually thats 2 weeks from your initial appointment, sometimes a week or less, if its the latter you probably wont get any money untill you sign on for the second time because it takes time to process your claim.

so you are looking at getting a payment in the next 2 to 3 weeks if all goes well.

After you recieve the letter and sign on you will recieve a payment 3 working days later.

Casati · 27 July 2010 at 6:54PM

Thanks for prompt reply Snakeeyes.

I sure hope they aren't all like that! I just feel completely out of my depth with the whole system, to be honest I am really shocked at the whole experience, the people on the phone were extremely helpful but the man at the jobcentre ....well I might as well have not been there. Hey! I know! Why don't they give me HIS job! At least I have mastered the art of verbal communication.

Sorry if my first post was a little incoherent but the whole thing really shook me up

tsimehC · 27 July 2010 at 7:01PM

What was your "unusual" job? In an ideal interview, the adviser should ask you to think of your own job goals (and try to expand on it and bring in other roles you could do). They can intervene if you can't think of anything but never force you to sign your own Jobseeker's Agreement (JSAg). The downside to this is that if you refuse to sign that then it gets sent off to a decision maker to review along with an agreement that you're happy with and your claim gets delayed until that decision has been made. What snakeeyes has said is true to some extent as your JSAg can be reviewed at any time but only an adviser can change it and not a signing staff (from my own experiences anyway).

Nichelette · 27 July 2010 at 7:15PM

I can see you haven't had a very good experience, and I wouldn't be very happy in your situation either, but try not to let it get to you.

From my own experience I think the point of the agreement is to give you some focus in what you're looking for (some need this more than others, and to be honest I completely ignored mine because I was happy to apply for nearly anything I was capable of doing). Although you have technically agreed to it, provided you demonstrate that you're genuinely looking for some kind of work you shouldn't have a problem. Good luck with your job search, I hope you find something soon.

Casati · 27 July 2010 at 7:19PM

'unusual job' was Wardrobe Management. Basically like a personal stylist. He didn't ask what a 'Wardrobe Manager' was he just said 'Wardrobe? like what you put things in?'

It's not a case of me refusing to sign it, I certainly don't expect to be able to walk straight back into my dream job, I am perfectly willing to be flexible The problem was that I had no idea what I was signing & was not given the opportunity to review it before signing.

The form was filled out with next to no input from me. He printed a few sets of job details out for us, one of which my partner pointed out he had already applied for but he seemed not to hear us. The others were in locations that we had not a snowflakes chance in hell of actually being able to get to. I suppose he sees it as he's ticked his boxes so who cares. I care! I want a job!

I am perfectly willing to see an advisor (preferably a different one) & draw up a new agreement. In fact I would really LIKE to see an advisor, especially one who might be able to give me some actual advice.

sammyjammy · 27 July 2010 at 7:20PM

I agree you've met a bad 'un but don't let it get you down. I think its important for you to speak to the manager about this person, there is, at best, a development issue here if not an attitude one. Its no excuse but some of these people get so used to dealing with those less "professional" they forget there are other types needing their help and assistance.

Robbie64 · 27 July 2010 at 7:26PM

If it were me I would make an appointment to see someone else. The problem with the Jobseekers Agreement (JSAG) is that if you sign them you can be held to them and a decent enough member of staff should give you some time to look over what it is you are going to agree to. The JSAG is effectively a legally binding contract on both sides since your benefit can be suspended if you fail to follow what you have signed to.

Perhaps you could alter the parts of the JSAG you don't agree with, possibly on a photocopy of the papers you have and using blank sheets of paper if necessary. It might make it easier if you do decide to make another appointment if you have something drawn up in advance.

Casati · 27 July 2010 at 7:26PM

Thank you all so much for your words of support.

It's amazing how easily these things can get to me nowadays. There was a time I would have raised merry hell at that kind of treatment! That's why I feel like such a fool.

We are due to sign on for the first time next Monday & if I'm going to have to go through the whole process again I need to get it arranged ASAP.

Casati · 27 July 2010 at 7:32PM

Robbie64 wrote: »

If it were me I would make an appointment to see someone else. The problem with the Jobseekers Agreement (JSAG) is that if you sign them you can be held to them and a decent enough member of staff should give you some time to look over what it is you are going to agree to. The JSAG is effectively a legally binding contract on both sides since your benefit can be suspended if you fail to follow what you have signed to.

QUOTE]

That was what I was worried about,

Good idea to make a photocopy & amend it, presumably if I show a willingness to co-operate it will be OK, I actually would have put loads of things in 'Other Activities to Help You Find a Job' other than the 'apply for jobs on jobcentre website' that he has put in. For example I am perfectly willing to relocate & work overseas etc etc

I want a job, I would like some support in finding one. I'm not trying to be difficult but this 'Agreement' is not an agreement in any way, and if I did the things in it I will probably still be unemployed when the Olympics come around.

Robbie64 · 27 July 2010 at 7:38PM

Don't agree to too much at the start! The more flexible you are the better but if you are too flexible from the outset in your JSAG then you may set yourself up for problems. If you are unemployed for a while you will probably need to draw up a new JSAG anyway as you will be expected to increase your search options so keep something back for that...

JSA Interview nightmare

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