Jobseeker agreement? JSA stages What is that?

grumpyoldwoman41

I keep on seeing this here and there - what is it?

I started signing on in December and never had one done at Jobcentre.

I just have a card with dates on which to turn up and sign in.

Is everyone supposed to have one? What should be in it?

Or does it only kick in after certain number of weeks?

Also, what are stages? I see stage 1, stage 2 - how does that work?

Thanks a lot... to anyne who cares to explain...

purplerose

Your jobseeker agreement should be in your wee signing book and it should have been completed at your very first jobcenter appointment.

It's a sheet of paper that says what kind of jobs you're looking for, any restrictions you have on working such as hours/pay, where you're willing to travel and how you're going to look for jobs. It sets out your responsibilities, that you must: look for work and be available for work and that JSA will be stopped if you don't do enough to find work, are not available for work, refuse a suitable job, reduce your chances of getting work or don't attend your appointments with them. It specifies that you should show that you've taken at least 3 actions within a week toward looking for a job. Both you and the advisor sign it to show you've agreed. This lasts for 6 months.

That's the first stage, the second stage is where you do it all again but you have to broaden your search and lower your expectations a bit. So say during stage 1 you said you were looking for only the professional job you're qualified for and wouldn't work for less than 15k per year. In stage 2 you have to agree to do more - for example, look for admin/customer service work and be prepared to take minimum wage.

Hope that helps, if it's not there then ask them for a copy.

grumpyoldwoman41

Purplerose - thanks for that.

Nope, I do not have it - never discussed that, never signed anything to that tune whatever - very strange.....

So stage 2 starts after 6 months? Is it set time the 6 months?

So if I understand right, on stage one I can actaually refuse to take on a job if it is not suitable (in my opnion) for reason of salary/distance/hours and my JSA will not be stopped? Is that correct? Or am I completely wrong?

purplerose

It's only correct if it's within your jobseeker agreement, which, if you don't have one could create a problem. On your next signing appointment I'd go in and ask about it because it doesn't sound right that you've not done this yet.

I'm just over 6 months unemployed so I'm in stage 2. However, when I was in stage 1 I just showed them the jobs I'd applied for in the fortnight, signed the signing sheet and went on my way. So long as I had done at least 3 actions toward getting a job per week then they seemed happy. Now I'm in stage 2 and I've broadened my search a bit and it's still much the same only now I have half hourly appointments with a personal advisor every 4 weeks who asks how I'm getting on and will talk about any ways in which she might be able to help. For example - send me on a training course or something.

One thing they have pointed out to me is that rules have changed recently - if they show you details for a job and print it out for you they have to put you down as "matched" to that job. If you're matched to the job and don't apply for it and they check and find you haven't applied then your JSA can be stopped. However, when you are sat at the desk on your signing day and being shown jobs on the computer screen it's ok to say "I think I'm over/under qualified for that / that's a bit far away for me / I don't have the experience they're looking for" then move onto the next job without it being printed out. So if it doesn't look like it suits, don't let them print out the details for it unless you're prepared to apply for it.

Hope that helps.

dugdale_2

Stage 1 is first 13 weeks
Stage 2 is 13 weeks to 26 weeks
Stage 3 is 26 weeks to 52 weeks
stage 4 is 52 - 104 weeks

However this might change when the work programme is introduced

ceridwen

So - to clarify then - is that the case that peeps start being:
- expected to apply for every job that is printed-off (no matter how unsuitable) as from week 14 onwards?
- called in for interview every 4 weeks as from week 14 onwards?

or do these two things both come into play at 6 months?