Mistreated at job centre - filing a complaint.

ffacoffipawb

MrRedundant wrote: »

She's quite right.

Too many lazy idiots out there who think 6 actions a fortnight is acceptable or vague responses are.

You are unemployed and allegedly job seeking. You should spend several hours a day searching online websites such as JCP, S1 Jobs, Reed etc applying for jobs.

Looking at websites and applying directly

Reviewing your CV and cover letters

Getting the weekly papers and applying for jobs.

You should regularly be walking up and down the high street or visiting agencies

You should be looking at training opportunities.

Finding some charity work or work experience.

Never mind 6 a fortnight; 6 a day would be reasonable for someone genuinely looking for a job.

Websites like Supermarkers, Banks etc have hundreds of jobs on them.

I fully defend the right of the JC to give slacking layabouts who clearly arent trying an iota to get a job a hardtime.

Feel free to tell us why only 6 actions a fortnight is reasonable or why you cant record these properly.

As for mistreated! No you where not. The truth just hurts sometimes and why should I and everyone else support people who clearly are not giving half the effort they could.

Pancake maker.

pineapple

I don't think anyone should have to lie to the job centre (to the person who recommended that). Either people are seriously looking for a job or not - and if not they shouldn't be getting JSA imo.
You just have to be organised with records. I actually had a spreadsheet which detailed all the job sites I was on, any approaches by agencies or applications and enquiries by me and the outcomes. That included dates, job details and salary (that way they could see if I was being realistic in the jobs applied for), every contact, every search.... Plus I kept copies of any rejection letters and job applications made (in my line of work, CVs are generally not accepted and you have to submit a full application each time).
As well as signing up for job alerts, I was on the books of several agencies plus I visited individual websites and did searches for vacancies generally.
I found that when I presented all this info, their eyes glazed over and they rushed me through. I actually wanted to discuss it more than in the time allotted! The thing is, I am sure a good adviser can tell when someone is really trying (or otherwise).

shikoku

pineapple wrote: »

I found that when I presented all this info, their eyes glazed over and they rushed me through. .

Ditto your entire post, I always arrive with a detailed print out yet when you refer to something they should have read on it you can tell they haven't even glanced, at this point you usually have to unfold the paper for them as they have not even bothered to do this.

Altho' tbh most of these desk clerks are under notice themselves so you can understand their apathy.

donnajunkie

shikoku wrote: »

Ditto your entire post, I always arrive with a detailed print out yet when you refer to something they should have read on it you can tell they haven't even glanced, at this point you usually have to unfold the paper for them as they have not even bothered to do this.

Altho' tbh most of these desk clerks are under notice themselves so you can understand their apathy.

personally i like it when i am straight in and out. showing evidence serves no useful purpose. if anything it stops sadistic people from finding an excuse to sanction you.

cassieB57

pineapple wrote: »

I found that when I presented all this info, their eyes glazed over and they rushed me through. I actually wanted to discuss it more than in the time allotted! The thing is, I am sure a good adviser can tell when someone is really trying (or otherwise).

Err umm you dont sign in Surrey/Sussex district by any chance...?

Though being serious for a minute, I'd love to be able to discuss things in more detail, except with just 4 minutes per customer and back to back appointments from 9-4pm, with a mid morning and a lunch break, there just isnt the time; plus you still have to answer phones, deal with any post, and the forms people bring in for part time work, etc-I'm not making excuses, just saying there are 2 sides to every argument.

GothicStirling

cassieB57 wrote: »

If you are still unemployed after 3 months then you will get more help with jobsearch from them-the old 'jobcentre' was so called because they used to advertise vacancies.

Anyone else remember the cards on the boards?

God I feel old.

cassieB57

and the long queues...

I mentioned the DSS...when I started it was DHSS!!

Heart_Shaped_Diamond

Hi everyone. This old chestnut again , thought id update you all.

I finally managed to figure out where I lacked most confidence in my job search:

Firstly my CV and secondly my experience.

I attended a meeting at a ''getting back to work'' place in the community that specialises in helping locals with their CV's, interviews and applications, which I participated in. When I had finally updated my CV I felt MILES better. I actually had the confidence to hand them out without getting "that feeling".

I am a lot better mentally since my original post. My dad himself has went through a lot health wise over the years and can become stressed. I was also told on the sly by someone who worked at the JC that the woman who was rude to me on my visit, was known for being rude to a whole lot of people - apparently she just likes to pick holes in people and their esteem. I was fully backed up by that member of staff who agreed that they were not on. They even said my father was "quite right".

I then enrolled on a unpaid work experience course that I was actually told to leave because of health and safety. It wasn't exactly a great experience - but something to add to the CV I suppose.

I have been getting a lot better feedback and today I had a job interview. The manager only went over what the job entails and basically said he hated people being late. And that he'd call next week? I hope that's a good sign :rotfl:.

I understand why a few of you felt I wasn't doing enough. I don't feel I was doing as much as I could have been looking back, but I also don't feel that I was in the position to be spoken down to. It was my confidence that stopped me from getting out there - not laziness! Not by a long shot. I just didn't know what I was doing or how to go about it. Now i've had more experience and feel a lot better within myself.

Hopefully I nailed that interview today and this will be the end of a long haul.

Heart_Shaped_Diamond

I'd also like to point out that looking back, I don't think I told the inital story well. I feel that because of the way in which I told it - people may have interprated it wrongly. To cut it short, I was lacking in self esteem, with no confidence, experience or a good CV. I understand why it was hard at that time for me to find work. I was even considering going on the sick for the depression, but decided that I didn't want to take any steps backwards.

I am proud of the work I have done so far, as it has paid off. Now I shall look at the bad experience as a good one as I feel I have gained from it. I just think at the time because I am young, I did need some extra support and help with CV's, applications and how to go about finding work in general. I was never told about any websites or how to work the machines in the Job Centre on my own. When you sign on they just say "fill in this book"... And I was kind of like "eh?!"

To those who feel I came across as a ''daddy's girl'' - I hope you have changed your minds. I am not like that at all. My dad's just mental, believe me...

dexter25

[FONT=&quot]I search over 8hours a day at the moment; I despise the job centre completely and can't wait to get back in work. I've been out of work two months and have tried my hardest applying for anything I could possible do so far interviews is as far as I get.


I get a second Interview for a job (10-1 chance), that I not only want, but is a career choice. I was due to go to interview in Nottingham at their Head office this morning travelling from Sheffield...........

Thought no fault of my own, I've been sent a giro payment because they muck-up whatever, which they'd not admit to or say sorry.

I get paid into my bank for a reason, the post is crap gone downhill I should know I worked for RM over 10 years.....

Because of their crap service and indifference I've missed one of the most important interview of my Career with not a chance of a reschedule.....


THANKS Job Centre Plus!

Unless you've ever had to use them,
you have not a clue how much they hinder and not help.


Yours Sincerely,

The White Collared Gentleman [/FONT]