The recession, benefits, the safety net, and the learning curve

lostinrates

PasturesNew wrote: »

I would ... she's not a bloke!

Variety is the spice of life. And it avoids things of all sizes- FC123 asked for no mention of little things, so Ithought take them all out of the equation.

Generali

PasturesNew wrote: »

You're a bloke, so biased; you have a desire to watch

Whatever floats your boat PN. I'd just be happy to help a couple of fellow MSEers in need.

Max_Headroom_3

Excuse me but I think you'll find that we already have a "lesbians" thread for gents to admit their sordid fantasies and ladies to admit their interesting encounters just here:

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1749943

Feel free to carry on the whole laydee lurve convo on that one.

Max_Headroom_3

Well just to add insult to financial injury, at my fortnightly ritual humiliation and patronisation session at the job centre today I was advised that I must attend a "Back to Work" session tomorrow for an hour.

I've every confidence that this will be some jumped up civil servant with no job worries beyond how big his/her index linked pension will be telling me what I already know. Great.

I do wonder whether the long term unemployed career benefitists get dragged in for these, or whether it's just a gentle kicking for those of us already doing all we can. Bet I can guess though.

Max is not happy about this, not happy at all... :mad:

dopester

Max_Headroom wrote: »

Max is not happy about this, not happy at all... :mad:

From stuff I've read elsewhere, when it isn't your sign-on day, you might be able to claim your travel-costs back... providing evidence like bus or train ticket.

Don't know how you'd go about claiming it back if you go in a car.

Is it voluntary, or did they offer it you and you accepted it? I doubt it will be as bad as you are imagining. They aren't there to brag about their own employment or to deliberately knock your confidence. The appointment might be result in something positive for you.

harryhound

Good luck Max.
Do report back.
You never know, you might be so good at this that they offer you a job as a trainer.

Max_Headroom_3

Given that the job centre staff, whilst delightful helpful people, have seemingly no ability to help me get a job it seems a bit rich that they're dragging me in to lecture me on it.

Maybe they should send the job centre staff on it instead...

Dopester, yes I believe I can claim travel costs (travel by the cheapest way). Given that the venue is about a mile from home and I'm not on a bus route I shall almost certainly walk there and back (in the forecast rain) but I'm tempted to get a taxi and charge it them.

HH, I shall report back indeed. I'm sure it will be a thrilling experience and of great education to someone...

mvengemvenge

Max_Headroom wrote: »

Well just to add insult to financial injury, at my fortnightly ritual humiliation and patronisation session at the job centre today I was advised that I must attend a "Back to Work" session tomorrow for an hour.

I've every confidence that this will be some jumped up civil servant with no job worries beyond how big his/her index linked pension will be telling me what I already know. Great.

I do wonder whether the long term unemployed career benefitists get dragged in for these, or whether it's just a gentle kicking for those of us already doing all we can. Bet I can guess though.

Max is not happy about this, not happy at all... :mad:

Back to Work sessions are part of the Government's Flexible New Deal programme. It's a group session that will probably involve both the work-shy and the genuine. As far as I know, it's a mixture of telling you what help is available and reminding you of your responsibilities in the form of a slide-show.

If it's not your signing day, you should get a refund for travel, I believe.

mewbie_2

mvengemvenge wrote: »

As far as I know, it's a mixture of telling you what help is available and reminding you of your responsibilities in the form of a slide-show.

!!!!!!. Like a time share presentation by a mentally handicapped. I would not be able to last without punching someone.

mvengemvenge

mewbie wrote: »

!!!!!!. Like a time share presentation by a mentally handicapped. I would not be able to last without punching someone.

Lol, we haven't actually got them up and running yet, but I believe that's the gist of how they work. I think when it comes to sticks and carrots, there are variances in how these are applied/put across.