On JSA, job interview in the morning - don't want the position

S1976

It's a tough one with a small child - some people 'choose' (If they have that choice) to work to live, not live to work which is what you will be in danger of if you are already having doubts. If you were made redundant just a month ago then you would be on the JA that includes NI contributions you made while working, therefore I see no reason why you should rush onto a position that would be detremental to your and your families well being. I agree two hours traveling a day isn't much, but if you feel it's not right and you can afford to be picky then you should stick your ground and put yourself and family first. Explaine to the JC you want to try and initially find a job that holds a very similar contract to your old job because you know that it fits well around your family without to much disruption. If after say 3 months this is proving difficult then you will look at other options. It all depends really on how picky you can be at this moment in time.

Emmma

I know how you feel. I am a successful applicant with notorious dwp and I am very worried about the location. If it is too far then I will not be able to take the job.

My story is a little bit different from yours though. I am a single parent and so I would need to drop my son to nursery (which the usual opening hours is 8am) and pick him up from nursery (which the usual closing hours in 6pm). Therefore, starting a 9-5 would be difficult to commute too unless it was close.

However, when I was attending University and my mother was around (she died) it was a great help. I used to have to leave my house at 6am and could sometimes get home past 8pm, when I had late lectures and this is when my son was a newborn. Still I knew I had to do it to make a better future for him and me. I really cherished my days off and weekends with him.

I think you should attend the interview at least. Even if you was successful, it doesn't mean you have to take the postion but think about it carefully. Think whether you and your family would be better off financially. In the mean time, you can still apply for jobs that are closer to home.

foxy-roxy

I can't believe how many people are being so horrible, i travel about 40 mins a day (in my own car) an that is enough for me, so i can understand why you wouldn't want to travel that much, especially with a young child, if you took the job you would only be unhappy in the long term.
If i were you i would go to the interview and explain your concerns to them, and then keep looking for jobs closer to home.

Good Luck

Horace

Definitely go to the interview - this may be the first interview that you have had for a long time and it is good practice. As you have applied for the job via the jobcentre then it is likely that the prospective employer will do a report for the jobcentre and it will look bad if you don't go and your JSA maybe stopped and you don't want that to happen.

I can remember from my time of signing on that I had to apply for any jobs even if they were 40 miles or more distance from where I live. I can sympathise that you have a young child but as yet you only have an interview - you havent been offered the job. If you are offered the job that is when you think about the travelling - still look at ways of getting there i.e. bus passes for the various buses, I wouldnt be too hasty to turn it down if offered either - its easier to get another job when you are working than it is to get one when you are on the dole.

Good luck for your interview - see it as practise.

sexandthecity

PolishBigSpender wrote: »

How many of the saints on here are mothers with small children and are commuting two hours each day?

None of you, I bet.

I would not be happy to commute for two hours a day sorry. I have always managed to find local part time work which allowed me to spend quality time with my kids.

I worked full time for a bit when we just had the one and it was horrible and I never saw her, I wouldnt do it again.

Your jobseekers agreement should reflect the hours you are looking for and be realistic.

I think you will need to go to the interview though or else they will sanction your benefits as someone else said its all interview practice just keep looking and good luck to you

busy_mom_2

Are you a single mom or do you have a husband/partner? If you are single or partner works you would of been able to restrict your hours or travel area due to childcare responsibilites but if partner doesn't work I'm afraid if you refuse the job you risk losing benefit as there is someone else at home with the childcare responsibility.

HurdyGurdy

PolishBigSpender wrote: »

How many of the saints on here are mothers with small children and are commuting two hours each day?

None of you, I bet.

Actually, when my children were younger, I travelled two hours EACH WAY. Drove to the local station, 7.05am train into London mainline station, underground to nearest station to work and then a 10 minute walk to the office. I did that right up until my eighth month when pregnant with my third child.

I guess it depends how much you want to stand on your own two feet and how much you want to be supported by benefits.

HellsGranny

I too used to travel 4 hours daily to work, 2 buses and the Underground each way. I didn't find it onerous, iearned a good salary.

Cheers, HG

HurdyGurdy

Linglie wrote: »

You signed a JobSeekeekers agreement (JSAg)when you first made your claim. Did you say to the adviser that you didn't want to travel any distance to get to a workplace? 2 Hours travel a day seems reasonable to me.

I was specifically told when I first signed on 10 days ago that I would be expected to travel up to 60 mins from home to work.. This is in writing on the JSAg I signed and I was told this was standard.

jdturk

the crux of the situation is that if the OP is offered the job and she refuses then benefits should be stopped, benefits are there to help people when they are in a dire situation, the OP might be offered a job and thus would not be in a dire situation (and yes not an ideal situation)

Whether taking this job makes you better off or not should not come into this