'Not following Job Centre Directiions'

apbmdd

I attended a 'back to work' session at the job centre last Monday as I have been claiming JSA for a few weeks now. The session consisted of me and 4 other job seekers. Without wanting to big myself up, I'm a well-educated, post grad level professional and was made redundant last year. I am extremely embarrassed at my situation and also find it hard to talk to strangers about it. I sat in this session, listened to the provider (who'd English wasn't up to much - she was a scouser!) tell us about how we should be searching for jobs, how to use the internet, how to create and email address and what we should/shouldn't do to avoid our benefits being stopped. I sat quietly (I didn't want to speak but I couldn't really get a word in) as another job seeker - laid off for a factory and well known to the job centre staff hogged the conversation.

I got a letter today saying my benefit was being stopped for 1 week as (I eventually found out) I failed to participate in the session! This wasn't pointed out to me in the list of things reeled off that you had to do to stop benefit being forfeited!

It's a joke! I want to appeal against but just wondered if anyone has any advice? I have never been given ANYTHING that states you have to speak at these things. I wasn't asked anything nor did I refuse to do anything!

Any advice gratefully received.

Thanks

Ali

voynich

I think when you first sign on they are supposed to go through a list of what is expected of you and give you a printed copy. It should be on that list if they expect you to fully participate. Complain and appeal you have nothing to loose.

Its all a big rip off anyway, they are not really interested in getting people into work, just trying to deny people money or make people feel so devastated by the whole process that they will accept any part time low paid work going just to escape from the whole process.

Look up on the internet the rules regarding JSA sanctions.

celinepatricia

apbmdd wrote: »

(who'd English wasn't up to much - she was a scouser!)

Does coming from Liverpool mean you cant speak English?

LittleVoice

celinepatricia wrote: »

apbmdd wrote: »

(who'd English wasn't up to much - she was a scouser!)

Does coming from Liverpool mean you cant speak English?

When I saw the quote you referenced I thought you were going to comment on "who'd English".





PS I was accepting there was a "typo" in that a "d" probably appeared in place of an "s" but, separate from that, for a "well-educated, post grad level professional....?

celinepatricia

Haha could have done!!!

apbmdd

ok, no need to jump down my throat for a typo! And the scouser thing- i'm from liverpool myself but what i meant was she spoke with typical scouse grammar, i.e. We was, you wasn't. I know that it's not exclusive to liverpool, but in my experience many scousers talk like that (and i can say that 'cause I'm from Liverpool and live there). So, now i've cleared that up i'd really appreciate some actual advice. Thanks!

ceridwen

I can sympathise. Whatever a person's level of qualifications/experience/etc - then they are surely doing all that is required by turning up on the course as instructed.

I certainly think that you need to look up your pre-joining instructions I presume people were given and see exactly what they say. Unless they specifically state "Must take part effectively" or words to that effect - then I would think that you would have good grounds to appeal.

Errrr...I do see where you are coming from re the level of job you normally have, etc - but I would keep that right out of it. Just purely and simply give the facts, ie:
- You were told to attend and you duly followed the instruction to do so
- The pre-course instructions were as follows...

They must know as well that some of us have been "trained" into listening politely to what others say and then waiting (equally politely) for our turn for a share of the "say". If one has been brought up into having proper manners - then thats what you do - you "wait your turn". You simply don't expect other people to "hog the proceedings" and take "their own turn" and then take "other peoples turn" as well. Obviously Big Mouth knew the system and was determined to make things go THEIR way - regardless of other peoples right to a share of "airtime".

Personally - I would also be making the point that the person leading the session hadnt performed THEIR duties properly by making a point at intervals of asking ALL participants if they wished "to add anything to what has been said".

dugdale_2

My first thoughts were that there might be doubt that you actually turned up for the BTWS, were you asked to sign a register ? I've sat in on a few BTWS and appreciate that some people "take over" whilst others may not speak at all. Never heard of anyone being sanctioned for not participating before.

apbmdd

my name was ticked off a list, yes.yes.yes. I had to fill a task sheet too, which i did. I really didn't have anything to say or ask. Unbelievable!

Jinx

Complain in writing immediately.... I got a letter saying I would be sanctioned for not attending a back to work session that I hadnt been invited to! Their system had a note of a letter going out to me, so of course that means I MUST have got it. I was livid and wrote a quite stroppy appeal letter back to them. Kept my JSA and went to the next session where I didnt utter one word either.... I found it all pretty basic to be honest...

dmg24

dugdale wrote: »

My first thoughts were that there might be doubt that you actually turned up for the BTWS, were you asked to sign a register ? I've sat in on a few BTWS and appreciate that some people "take over" whilst others may not speak at all. Never heard of anyone being sanctioned for not participating before.

I agree - makes me assume there is more to this than we are being told?