Turning down a job offer?

VickySmith63

Hi,
Does anyone know if you are able to reject a job offer whilst on JSA? I know this might seem like a strange thing to consider doing in this financial climate, but I have a job offer for the Civil Service which I don't want (I applied as there was little else available). I am actually self-training myself for different career and the CS job would be just a `filler'. However, taking the job means a training course of many weeks and it is also awkward to get to via public transport. I have heard quite a few bad things about this particular job even from the staff at the Jobcentre!!!

I have told the Jobcentre I have had this job offer and it is on my file but wonder whether, if I rejected it, would they then stop my JSA?

Hopeful thanks in advance,
Vicky

storminbalder

If they do discover that you have turned down a job offer, then you could conceivably lose your benefit.

Chances are they won't. They tend to take you on trust - certainly for the first 6 months at least.

After 6 months, the pressure from Jobcentre will grow.

VickySmith63

Thanks Stormin,

I've been on JSA for coming up to a year but am on the South Coast and there are very few jobs available.

ukdickie31

If you have been matched to this vacancy, rather than 'self selected' it, and you have not taken the offer of employment, you may be referred to a decision maker for "Refusal of Employment."

If the decison goes against you, then a sanction of up to six months may be imposed.

VickySmith63

No, it was a job I selected myself. What do you mean by matched? That they printed it out for you to apply for?

In anycase if I don't take the job how would they know. I'm actually on a waiting list of up to four months for the job.

dmg24

VickySmith63 wrote: »

No, it was a job I selected myself. What do you mean by matched? That they printed it out for you to apply for?

In anycase if I don't take the job how would they know. I'm actually on a waiting list of up to four months for the job.

They will know because you have told them you have been offered it!

I don't understand why you would turn down a job when you know there is little else available. Sounds to me like you don't want to work.

ukdickie31

Yes, 'Matched' is one where you have have had a discussion with an adviser about a job and your skills or job goals were matched to a vacancy.

Self selected is where you print a job from the Job Points or from another source.

You can only have "Refusal of Employment" if the jobcentre record shows that you have been matched.

Each time the Jobcentre record details of a job on your record, a box is selected to show where the vacancy was identified from. Matched is just one option, Job Points is another.

storminbalder

dmg24 wrote: »

They will know because you have told them you have been offered it!

No they won't!

They are very busy.

ukdickie31

If the Jobcentre database is updated to "Job Offer" or "Did not Start " (ie refused the job offer) the a data report is sent to local offices to chase up why the Job wasn't taken or when the work is due to start in the case of a Job Offer. ( The reports are automatically produced).

These reports come out on a regular basis (weekly ?) and are actioned.

fairydiamond

VickySmith63 wrote: »

I've been on JSA for coming up to a year .

What!? So WHY turn this offer down? I'm sorry but a job is a job and since you've been on JSA for this long I wouldn't be so picky!

Bamber19

fairydiamond wrote: »

What!? So WHY turn this offer down? I'm sorry but a job is a job and since you've been on JSA for this long I wouldn't be so picky!

The cynical amongst us would suggest that the OP's attitude towards this job is indicative of the reason why she has been on JSA for so long.

Take the job if it is offered and continue to look for other work, now is not the time to be picky.