Census Jobs

Lil_Me_2

surreysaver wrote: »

If they've said no, leave them alone. They are legally entitled to say no, and if you are harassing them, you are the one committing the criminal offence.

Yeh I agree. Officially our training suggests that these people are just having a bad day, and that we should send our partners back a few days later and see if they get either a better response or a different person!

We're up to around 40% now with a full weekend of knocking planned. About 8% have refused so far, so I don't think the rates will be much above 80%. Have found around 20 people who haven't been included on census forms though, so I see why they do it!!

RosieS_2

Thanet62 wrote: »

The question I get asked is "why? You have my completed form" "Why should I give information to a stranger on the doorstep?"

Psychology babble works great if your career depends on it. One months temp work does not warrant frightening OAP's. Its not compulsory therefore no means no. Don't get me wrong I will keep knocking and getting as many responses as possible. BUT surely questions need to be asked. WHAT IS IT ALL FOR?

Do you not know what it's for?

Thanet62

RosieS wrote: »

Do you not know what it's for?

Yes I know what its for! Thats why everyone HAD to complete and return a Census in March to improve local schools and services. The majority of calls I have made (and successfully) now ask me what was the point in sending back a Census in March if we are now duplicationg the information again? Missed addresses? erm wasn't there a 10 year gap between counts to get this right. Lists exist of properties within postcodes (Royal Mail, Tesco any tom cobbley etc.) Why 1%? To capture those missed in March? Small net in a big pond.
Look I am not knocking the money i'm getting for walking around in the sun bothering old folk and stressed Mums, nightworkers and those who can't be arsed, just pointing out the whole futility of the whole excersise. :mad:

RosieS_2

Thanet62 wrote: »

Yes I know what its for! Thats why everyone HAD to complete and return a Census in March to improve local schools and services. The majority of calls I have made (and successfully) now ask me what was the point in sending back a Census in March if we are now duplicationg the information again? Missed addresses? erm wasn't there a 10 year gap between counts to get this right. Lists exist of properties within postcodes (Royal Mail, Tesco any tom cobbley etc.) Why 1%? To capture those missed in March? Small net in a big pond.
Look I am not knocking the money i'm getting for walking around in the sun bothering old folk and stressed Mums, nightworkers and those who can't be arsed, just pointing out the whole futility of the whole excersise. :mad:

Lil_me has found 20 'missing' people already, that represents 10's of 1000's of £ in funding and contributes to calibrating the census as a whole.

Thanet62

RosieS wrote: »

Lil_me has found 20 'missing' people already, that represents 10's of 1000's of £ in funding and contributes to calibrating the census as a whole.

Actually that's a serious problem then if 20 unknowns have turned up in a 1% sample. I will be more vigilante on Monday (following the team meeting) I might dust off the leather coat, gloves, jack boots and perfect my best "your papers please" accent.

telboyo

Thanet62 wrote: »

Actually that's a serious problem then if 20 unknowns have turned up in a 1% sample. I will be more vigilante on Monday (following the team meeting) I might dust off the leather coat, gloves, jack boots and perfect my best "your papers please" accent.

If i had found 20 extra people that would-be an increase of 40 % of myo area. My total of people in My areas has only been about 50.

It takes me about 15 minutes to get between properties which i know will be empty brcause a neighbour has told me . But it is all money.

surreysaver

Lil_Me wrote: »

Yeh I agree. Officially our training suggests that these people are just having a bad day, and that we should send our partners back a few days later and see if they get either a better response or a different person!

Typical employer not taking their staffs' health and safety seriously. If I got a second knock after saying 'no' once, then it would be the ONS employee who would end up having a bad day! Perhaps your training should state that 'no' means 'no'.

surreysaver

RosieS wrote: »

This is where the psychology comes in! Go back in a few days and tell them that you've been able to interview everyone else in their postcode area and you'd just like to give them another opportunity to be part of this important exercise. Assure them that you've had plenty of practice now and the interview can be completed in under 5 minutes.:cool2:

Psychology? So you think that the public should be lied to by a Government agency? If the ONS is willing to lie, then how do we know NHS staff are telling us the truth when we're in hospital? I think your attitude is totally irresponsible. If someone tried to psychologically abuse me, they may find that they get physically abused in return.

RosieS_2

surreysaver wrote: »

Psychology? So you think that the public should be lied to by a Government agency? If the ONS is willing to lie, then how do we know NHS staff are telling us the truth when we're in hospital? I think your attitude is totally irresponsible. If someone tried to psychologically abuse me, they may find that they get physically abused in return.

Where was the lie in what I said? Why is using psychology an abuse? Reassuring someone that others in the area have happily supplied information could be what they need to know to make an informed decision about taking part in the survey.

You mention also that ONS aren't taking H&S seriously - if someone gives a definite refusal we don't go back, we have paperwork that will take this into account so the survey is still valid in terms of getting 100% returns. A soft refusal is different, I see no problem going back to someone at a better time, or when they've had a chance to think about it further.

surreysaver

Because in your post you implied that you would tell any non-compliers that everyone else had answered your questions, regardless of whether or not they had.

And psycholgy is an abuse - it is a metaphorical twisting of the arm. If you twisted someone's arm physically, it is assault. It is the same if you do it using words instead.