Do I have a right to be upset about this?

zaksmum

I would definitely complain. Surely it's illegal anyway not to have disabled access? You certainly shouldn't have allowed them to carry you up the stairs - they could have dropped you!

It's dreadful you had to go through that and you should demand an apology at the very least.

Tulip09

What you have been put through is completely disgusting and i would be writing to complain even to get it off your chest and make them look at how they handle people with disabilities. Perhaps give a thought to applying for ESA and still look for work.

I have sat in a JSA meeting and agree it can be intimidating; we got a 10 minute (joint) break for those who wanted it! And there were a few who took her up on this:(

the_devil_made_me_do_it

tcr wrote: »

I'm struggling to believe this, tbh.

I'm not. I've heard similar horror stories over the years, however this one is defo the worst.

Mr_Falling_Star

Sorry to hear about your horrible time EJF. As a ex jobcentre plus worker I was wincing through the whole thing. The back to work session you were on is the Jobcentres way of giving information to customers really quickly, basically so they can't come back and say "why didn't you tell me about this". These BTWS can be held individually by advisers in Jobcentres however (I know I have done a few!) and I really think that maybe consideration could be given to these. In the meantime, to get a more help in getting back to work, have a chat about going onto stage three JSA. This means you can gain extra support and help in getting back to work. Another suggestion is to contact Remploy?

I would take this further with your MP, the Jobcentre hate MP's enquires so you shoulod get a result and a apology. I wouldn't take it to the papers as there is a lot of hate aimed at people on benefits by the press at the moment (and they will reap what they sow!) so you may give a Interview and find it skewed.

Another thought, if you can sign at a smaller Jobcentre, they tend to give better customer service.

Hope al goes well

tcr_3

Well I'm ex Job Centre too. I've never read a more appalling account of a visit to a Job Centre.

I'm absolutely mortified.

lidlest

tcr wrote: »

I'm struggling to believe this, tbh.

I believe this, because my mum had a VERY similar situation, with a back to work thing she had to attend, which was up a flight of stairs which they would NOT let her walk up (she was on crutches) because of health and safety, the lift was out of order and she wasn't allowed to use the staff lift. She then had to go away and come back another day.

They treated her like crud, kept asking why she wanted a job when she was so close to retirement age and just wanted her to go away. She stopped signing on because she couldn't take it anymore, it hurt her pride and damaged her self esteem. Not being unemployed, but the way they treated her.

She paid into that system for more than 40 years.

JustKeepSwimming_2

Appalling. You have every right to be upset about how you have been treated. I've no experience of job centres since the 80's so no advice to give - just wanted to send you a hug.

baza52

are you in a wheelchair 24/7?
Its just that i noticed you dont get HRM only the lower rate.

cavework

Was there a woman conducting the Back to work session named Pauline?
(sorry I love little Britain)
Seriously OP get on the phone and kick some butt.. you do not have to put up with this.
Good luck with your search for work, there are an awful lot of employers who would give their eye teeth to interview someone with your determination to find a job.
x

EltonJohnFan

baza52 wrote: »

are you in a wheelchair 24/7?
Its just that i noticed you dont get HRM only the lower rate.

Good evening everyone,

Thank you so much for a really great response, and the hugs I feel a little bit better now because I spent some time with mum and she's got me feeling really good again, said not to let what happened today get me down and not to let it put me off looking for work because she believes in me and knows that I'll find something someday. I really appreciate all you've had to say and I've decided that I couldn't possibly go to the papers about this but I may put a complaint in writing to the Department for Work and Pensions and hopefully they can do something about this appalling situation as I'd hate for other people in a situation similar to my own to have to go through what I did. I'm really tired so will probably go to bed for now but I want you to know that I really appreciate all that you've said and the fantastic responce you've given me, this is such a good community that I'm glad to be a part of.

I felt like I had to reply to the person who I've qouted above in that they raised a really good point. I was actually on Higher Rate Care and Mobility for a longtime but they reviewed my case when I left home and mum was no longer my nominated carer. When they reviewed it they brought it down to Middle Rate Care and Lower Rate Mobility but in the process of doing so they made my award an indefinite one instead of being fixed like it was previously. I must admit that I couldn't survive without my Disability Living Allowance because it allows me to lead a more normal life in that I can pay for someone to help me and I'm able to afford taxis for those times when I really need to be somewhere important. I have a lot of added expenses due to my disabilities and this money really helps me. I'd be too afraid to put in a change of circumstances with the Disability Living Allowance team as I'm more than happy with the award I'm getting and I'm not a greedy person. I'm really grateful that I have this support in place and that's what matters.