Compulsory work trials; same scenario, diifferent circumstances

t4456

I've been following the other thread on Work Trials with some interest. My daughter is in the same situation, but has different personal circumstances, and I wondered if anyone could advise?
My daughter has had mental health problems (in and out of hospital with anorexia, paranoia) all her life. She has two daughters (15&17) and lived with her partner and worked p/time till a few years ago. She was raped and throttled by a friend of her partners, in their house. One of her daughters was present. She had to leave work, broke with her partner and although she managed to remain composed throughout the trial, she had to be put on antidepressants and have counselling.
When she felt recovered she managed to find work, and seemed to be very happy, she lived for her job, unfortunately after three weeks she was dismissed due to 'mood swings' and paranoia. She got another job and within five months was dismissed for the same thing.
She saw her GP who initiated psychiatric assessment, unfortunately it has been a very scant affair.
She has been on JSA and applied for a job (it didn't state the company) and she had no idea it was Tesco until they phoned her to tell her she was required to undergo three weeks work trial (over christmas). That was a month ago, my daughter has deteriorated since then, she has repeatedly phoned social services and asked them to take her daughters away if they came home from school early (or other instances), she has taken overdoses, has cut her arms and legs, has neglected both her home and personal hygiene. The social workers were so concerned they called the doctor. She has been signed off sick for a week (in the first instance, as the doctor wants to see her weekly as she is worried). The doctor has said that right now our daughter is not in a fit state for any type of job. The social workers made her phone Tesco to tell them she has been signed off (the doctor told us that she wouldn't be able to do the trial), they have just said they will put the trial back for one week.
I don't know what to do; I work in another Tesco store (in HR) and know that as this is a recurring thing she wouldn't be employed by them anyway. My daughter is threatening to cancel the doctors appointment and start the trial as "Tesco will be angry" if she doesn't. She is also terrified that if she is signed off longer she will have to come off JSA and she won't survive financially. She is irrational and all over the place right now. I have no idea why she applied for a supermarket job anyway, as she thinks people are laughing at her when she is just shopping. She said that the jobcentre staff can read her mind and get angry with her. She is also scared that she is going to get into trouble by being signed off. My husband and I are scared for her and our granddaughters. Any advice?

Conor_3

She would actually be better off not being on JSA. She is in no fit state to work and doesn't need the pressure of having to comply with JSA rules or being pressured into continuing the work trial when clearly not fit. On IB, she'd probably be better off. In addition, she wants to see about a claim for Disability Living Allowance as, going on what you've posted, she clearly qualifies for the care component due to the personal care issues alone, especially if it's got to the point social workers have called the doctor. I would say though that someone needs to fill in the DLA forms for her and if she has a social worker assigned, they would be ideal.

t4456

Thanks Conor, we will look into it. The most pressing problem is what happens over the weekend and next week. She is threatening to ignore the doctors sick note and still attend the trial, as the HR woman was quite 'difficult' towards her. She simply said what the doctor and social worker said; the HR woman said that this put them in difficulty and that they would just delay the trial for a week, she could then do it over christmas and into the new year. As I said I work in the HR department of another branch, and if we have had 'triallers' who have been sick we have just said politely to them that we didn't think we they would work out. Like 'hippychik' my daughter has not been interviewed, and again this is not the procedure in the store. My daughter (and it's hard to describe a stranger) is very easily intimidated. When she had a form from Tesco asking her to commit for the whole three weeks, I crossed it out and put 'upto three weeks' which is our standard. After receiving this they constantly bombarded my daughter with calls telling her she had failed to 'confirm the trial properly'. She stopped answering the phone to anyone, including us. My fear is that she is so scared of them and the jobcentre, and I'm not sure whether she will keep the doctors appointment or not.

DKLS

Conor is right she doesnt sound fit for work at all at the moment, and should focus on seeking the assistance she needs and I think that should be Multi agency, Social services, GP and ideally a refferal to a specialised CBT unit, preferably one experienced in EDs, Is the ED under control? if not get in touch with beat who can offer both you and your daughter support and guidance

LizD_2

My immediate thought was that your daughter needs to be on Incapacity Benefit, especially as the doctor has said she's not fit to work.
Sounds to me like they're just trying to get Christmas staff and possibly wouldn't employ her after the three weeks on health grounds anyway. Sorry if that sounds cynical.

daveboy

Tesco really are the scum of the earth.

I think it's time a large number of MSE'ers got together as a group and hounded Tesco head office on this issue.

Your daughter should not do the work trial and should not worry about what the jobcentre will do.

Having been on IB myself, it does sound like she should be on that - and when it comes round to the medical, don't worry. Many people on here have been through it and will be more than willing to help.

marksoton

On reading the other thread my initial thoughts were it was an isolated case. Now i am beginning to wonder !!!

mcc28_x

Even if she went to the trial - and was not accepted or left the trail early, there is nothing the JC can do. That is why it is a trial.

She is clearly on the wrong benefit from what you say and needs to claim ESA.

DCFC79

OP your main concern well you know this anyway is your daughters well being, tesco come second or maybe further down the list of priorities,

tink_the_stink

Your daughter needs to claim Employment Support Allowance (new IB) 0800 0556688, will need med certs from GP, have to attend medical & Work Focus Interviews but work doesn't sound like an option at moment & is only making her mental health worse!

I'm very concerned about these Tesco Work Trail threads, please could you let me know which Tesco's it is or which town she claims benefit in so I can check job advert on JCP site