"Back to work" session - anyone know anything about them?

delain

These sound like the 'work focused interviews' you have for IS.... I've travelled 7 miles for one to be told the advisor was off sick that day and sent home then got a letter saying if i missed another one my IS would be affected!! It seems that for them finding their own a**e with both hands is rocket science. After a piece of my mind they did the interview over the phone. They were quite apologetic as i said i was actually looking for work and didn't like being messed about!

busy_mom_2

Rich44 wrote: »

TBH from what I had it would have been more helpful to have been left alone to keep looking at home instead of wasting 2 hours travelling and seeing someone at the job centre, she couldnt even manage to tell me what amount of JSA I would be entitled to, well she did but she got the single person allowance wrong

I am sure that some people may find it more useful than others.

Oh I did get a print out of EVERY job registered at that job centre, so plenty of min wage seasonal work serving teas and coffee and ice creams

The jobcentre arn't responable for processing your payments or telling you how much you will or won't recieve, we are responsible for making sure you satisfy the labour market conditions of your claim, if you do we notify the benefit processing agency they, and only they will then decide how much benfit you are entitled to recieve not us.:rolleyes:

Rich44_2

Did I say the job centre WERE responsible errr no I don't think I did.

I should worded that better as obviously no one would know there about an actual entitlement she didn't seem to know what the CURRENT RATES for JSA are and gave me the previous ones

busy_mom_2

Rich44 wrote: »

Did I say the job centre WERE responsible errr no I don't think I did.

I should worded that better as obviously no one would know there about an actual entitlement she didn't seem to know what the CURRENT RATES for JSA are and gave me the previous ones

Rates went up in April and with so many benefits and different rates ie under 25, over 25, couple, hardship rate......
I am an adviser manager and i don't expect my staff to know the rates off by heart, had you been sat in front of her a desk she would have shown you in second.
If you work in a bank would you be expected to know all the various interest rates of the top of your head:rolleyes:

Massive changes for jobcentreplus staff this year, loads of new people with very little experience and very little thanks from the public, we are trying our best

Max_Headroom_3

Originally Posted by Max Headroom
I've not had to look for work for a long time, but it's hardly rocket science.

dookar wrote: »

Excellent stuff. So simple you've found employment and no longer need to attend. everyone's a winner.

Or have I misunderstood something...

Yes that's right Dookar, because if you look for work the pixies make it magically appear... :rolleyes:

matt1987

I already have a job lined up with the police, and just waiting on a start date which should be september. I have told the job centre but they dont believe me. I still have to waste my time and attend this back to work session.

What a waste of time!

dmg24

matt1987 wrote: »

I already have a job lined up with the police, and just waiting on a start date which should be september. I have told the job centre but they dont believe me. I still have to waste my time and attend this back to work session.

What a waste of time!

You should still be looking for work in the meantime. If you do not wish to comply with JSA requirements in the interim, then you should sign off.

matt1987

I am actively seeking temporary work until September. I have applied for loads of things, and I'm looking for work everyday but I've had no luck. It seems as though when I make it clear I should be in permanent employment by September, employers aren't interested.

I was made redundant In March, so began claiming JSA, and luckily I found some casual work until the end of May so I signed back off. I only signed back on four weeks ago once the work ended.

Luckily I have savings to keep my going until September, as the search for temp work is proving fruitless. I just feel that my place on the session should be given to someone who will actually benefit from it, because I don't think I will.

NASA_2

matt1987 wrote: »

I am actively seeking temporary work until September. I have applied for loads of things, and I'm looking for work everyday but I've had no luck. It seems as though when I make it clear I should be in permanent employment by September, employers aren't interested.

I was made redundant In March, so began claiming JSA, and luckily I found some casual work until the end of May so I signed back off. I only signed back on four weeks ago once the work ended.

Luckily I have savings to keep my going until September, as the search for temp work is proving fruitless. I just feel that my place on the session should be given to someone who will actually benefit from it, because I don't think I will.

While that is a sensible thought to have the JSA regs dont have anything built into them to cover your situation and therefore you still have to attend if you want to be entitled to JSA.

Everyone could say that they have 'been promised' a job only for it to never start - if the DWP accepted that reason then it would be abused.

sfm82

I just got my letter today to attend the back to work session and all it says on the letter is that I have to go so they can remind me of what is expected of me whilst claiming JSA amongst the whole helping you find a job thing. I found this really disheartening as I do look everyday and I apply to so many jobs, I really want to get back to work!!!!

I really am not looking forward to this session looking at the type of people who I regularly see on my fortnightly visit I don't relish the idea of having to spend an hour with smelly alcoholics

I have an interview on thursday though so wish me luck!!!!