UPDATED: Got a Work Focused Interview this week - it was a positive experience :-D

Mics_chick · 23 May 2010 at 5:27PM

I understand that it is the government trying to get me in a job or at least on a course but will they really try to help me retrain for something or is it just shoving me at any old crap job?

Mics_chick · 23 May 2010 at 5:42PM

I'm on Incapacity Benefit and have been for about 3 years.

I was diagnosed with PND 2 weeks after my 2nd child was born in January 2005. I was on maternity leave until almost the end of that year and then my employers kept my job open for almost another year until it was obvious that I still felt too ill to return to work. I've been on IB since I was officially "let go".

I have finally begun to feel better over the last 6/9 months and I have reduced my anti-depressants.

I even went to see a training course advisor at my local community education centre but I was really confused as there were so many options...

At the beginning of this year I was taken off IB for about 2/3 months until I won my appeal and I had to temporarily claim JSA instead.

I've never had to claim JSA before even though I've been made redundant twice before coz I was able to find another job with 3/4 weeks of losing the previous one.

I actually found the phone call I made to claim JSA very upsetting (traumatic even) coz I was being forced to say I was ready for work when it was the last thing I felt ready for

I do feel ready to think about my future now but I don't want to go back to my previous career in IT coz I found it hugely stressful and I felt it contributed to my PND as I felt very mentally fragile during the pregnancy too.

I know what I would like to do but don't know if I will be listened to and helped in that direction...?

paulofessex · 23 May 2010 at 5:54PM

I have to be truthful and say that in the past when claiming JSA and having to attend such interviews and courses etc , really did feel that its just a way for them to get the number of people off the unemployment list as they have targets to reach and not really caring about the work people really want to do. I'm pretty sure they would attempt to get a vegetarian to work in a slaughter house if it meant the numbers being lowered.

As for the training providers, the ones l come across was in my opinion really only interested in getting you enrolled with them in order for them to claim their money from the government. They really didn't care about people not attending on a day to day basis but it was known for them to ask people too attend at least once a week. The enticed this by offering people the bus fares etc.

I think l am right that when a claimant goes onto one of the back to work courses they are not classed as 'unemployed' as such hence why the figures can go down.

In the past, l have actually known people to pretend that they had a learning disability in order to give the JSA the impression they are unemployable and that means they are left alone as such, not pushed to find employment or go on courses....sad but true

Mics_chick · 23 May 2010 at 5:58PM

Don't think I could get away with a learning disability been too outspoken and a "pain in the !!!!" for that LOL
But I don't want to stay on IB forever anyway - I just want to be able to ease back into it at my own pace coz I don't want a relapse

healy · 23 May 2010 at 6:27PM

Mics_chick wrote: »

I understand that it is the government trying to get me in a job or at least on a course but will they really try to help me retrain for something or is it just shoving me at any old crap job?

They will not force you into a job. All you have to do is attend the interview and maybe draw up an action plan. You do not have to follow the action plan if you do not want to.

joeblack066 · 23 May 2010 at 6:52PM

paulofessex wrote: »

I have to be truthful and say that in the past when claiming JSA and having to attend such interviews and courses etc , really did feel that its just a way for them to get the number of people off the unemployment list as they have targets to reach and not really caring about the work people really want to do. I'm pretty sure they would attempt to get a vegetarian to work in a slaughter house if it meant the numbers being lowered.

As for the training providers, the ones l come across was in my opinion really only interested in getting you enrolled with them in order for them to claim their money from the government. They really didn't care about people not attending on a day to day basis but it was known for them to ask people too attend at least once a week. The enticed this by offering people the bus fares etc.

I think l am right that when a claimant goes onto one of the back to work courses they are not classed as 'unemployed' as such hence why the figures can go down.

In the past, l have actually known people to pretend that they had a learning disability in order to give the JSA the impression they are unemployable and that means they are left alone as such, not pushed to find employment or go on courses....sad but true

Ahem. JOB SEEKERS Allowance means exactly that. Those not capable of work should be assessed for another benefit.

OP - they most certainly would NOT send a vegetarian into a slaughter house, how ridiculous!Use the WFI well tell them truthfully what you are looking for, and any restrictions you may have, (ie vegetarian kids lone parent, transport, location etc etc). You will find that your advisor will respond very well to your positivity, and the whole thing will go well. With a positive attitude you will get where you want to be much quicker!

Mics_chick · 23 May 2010 at 11:40PM

joeblack066 wrote: »

OP - they most certainly would NOT send a vegetarian into a slaughter house, how ridiculous!Use the WFI well tell them truthfully what you are looking for, and any restrictions you may have, (ie vegetarian kids lone parent, transport, location etc etc). You will find that your advisor will respond very well to your positivity, and the whole thing will go well. With a positive attitude you will get where you want to be much quicker!

Thanks JB :beer: It's nice to know that someone else can think positively about it too

Indie_Kid · 23 May 2010 at 11:48PM

Have you looked into appreciteships/ Money isn't great; but you're working and training at the same time.

Mics_chick · 24 May 2010 at 12:09AM

Aren't apprenticeships just for young peeps?

Indie_Kid · 24 May 2010 at 12:10AM

I think they're aimed more at young people; but I'm sure older people can do them too.

pupsicola · 24 May 2010 at 10:13AM

Ive been to a few of these and have found them fine. Does depend on which adviser you get as to how effective it is. As long as they have a clear picture of your situation, and what you hope to do next, they are pretty good at advising you of your options. They are there to give you informed choices not to bully you into anything.