'Not following Job Centre Directiions'

Jeff_Bridges_hair

ceridwen wrote: »

Further thoughts on this - if you are told to attend anything similar in future - then take a deep breath before walking in and think "Right - Chav Manners it is for the next however-many-hours. Chances are people won't be politely minding their manners/thinking fair share of airspace time for all - so I'll just have to do a day of When in Rome act like the Romans and interrupt/spout nonsense/talk over/spout more nonsense - but I've been seen to Play the Part and I'll put my normal manners back on again with my coat as I walk out the door."

In other words "Act a part - make like a chameleon".

I think this post is quite defamatory .. You dont know what other people were there nor how they felt. Maybe some of the 'Chavs' you mention were just people who wanted to get a job but didnt have the skills nor the ability to be able to put across their sklills.

Its far too easy to slate someone because of where they are from but when people have to go to these schemes you will always get those that care and those that dont .

you have chosen to decide on yoru own merits that the people there didnt care without thinking about their situation and their abilities.

yes there are plenty who dont want to work but there are also lots who do and yet find it difficult to be able to put that across to either their job centre and prospective employers and thats what courses like this are for.,


Its a shame you are so derogatory to other people, one can only hope you never become unemployed

Oldernotwiser

rhcp wrote: »

Some people have self confidence issues and find it difficult talking in groups. I hate it when they start these things by going around the group so everyone can 'introduce' themselves. Why do you want people to introduce themselves who you have no interest in and probably will never meet again! I think it would be illegal to discriminate against people like this. You could say that you have a quiet personality or are shy!!

Why wouldn't you want to take an interest in any people you meet?

If you find it difficult to say, "My name's Fred, I'm 35 and I used to work in Woolworths" then it's likely to be a good idea to overcome this and gain a new skill.

Orrin

Jeff_Bridges_hair wrote: »

yes there are plenty who dont want to work but there are also lots who do and yet find it difficult to be able to put that across to either their job centre and prospective employers and thats what courses like this are for.,

Unfortunately those who might be interested and have something to gain from these courses are bundled along with the majority who are just there because they have to be.

Maybe they should run separate courses for people who volunteer to attend and those who are forced to take part in order to receive benefits?

It's been years since I last signed on, but I remember the whole system was very rigid. You had to attend different interviews or courses at various times during your claim and there was no choice or flexibility.

I don't know have things changed much now? Seems to me it would make sense to have a more flexible approach where people who genuinely want to get back to work receive the most resources and help.

donnajunkie

apbmdd wrote: »

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

i think a mistake has been made because you only have to play along at these sessions. if they speak to you then reply with an appropriate response and do anything else they tell you to. if they dont say anything to you then you can sit quietly the whole time. when they say you didnt participate they are probably meaning you didnt turn up. that is why a mistake has been made.

donnajunkie

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

Why wouldn't you want to take an interest in any people you meet?

If you find it difficult to say, "My name's Fred, I'm 35 and I used to work in Woolworths" then it's likely to be a good idea to overcome this and gain a new skill.

they are not qualified to get people over shyness etc. doing what you say just makes those people feel embarassed etc.

Oldernotwiser

donnajunkie wrote: »

they are not qualified to get people over shyness etc. doing what you say just makes those people feel embarassed etc.

So, what's a qualification for getting people over shyness? Can you do an NVQ in it?

If someone has problems doing something so basic then being asked to do it can only be a good thing and help them overcome their problems. We're not talking about doing a 15 minute presentation complete with visual aids, you know.

Sambucus_Nigra

If you can't introduce yourself,, how are you ever going to attend an interview?

Um....

Hi - how can I help?

Um.....

Are you here for the interview?

Um....

What's your name?

Um......*runs away

donnajunkie

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

So, what's a qualification for getting people over shyness? Can you do an NVQ in it?

If someone has problems doing something so basic then being asked to do it can only be a good thing and help them overcome their problems. We're not talking about doing a 15 minute presentation complete with visual aids, you know.

for some people their shyness is quite extreme. if they were to seek help they would see a clinical pyschologist who would help them get over it. thats who is qualified. the pull yourself together mentality isnt really the best approach.

donnajunkie

Sambucus_Nigra wrote: »

If you can't introduce yourself,, how are you ever going to attend an interview?

Um....

Hi - how can I help?

Um.....

Are you here for the interview?

Um....

What's your name?

Um......*runs away

walking up to a counter and telling them your name or telling someone your name when asked isnt the same as having to stand up in front of a group of strangers and talk about yourself.

ohdamnit

Definitely appeal against the decision.

Jobcentres don't know how to deal with educated professional people - they certainly didnt know what to do with me when I was signing on but eventually I set up my own business with their help and signed off in 2009.

Do what you can to get another job..apply for everything and anything.

To be honest they are not that interested, I had one person tell me that I couldn't choose to base my job applications based on past experience/wage after 6 months. I tried to have a reasoned discussion with them (this is at 3 months) about the fact that unless you are talking about door to door selling, dodgy self employed delivery schemes or such like then no company is going to employ a professional with 15 years experience, who used to earn 40K+ in a 10k a year job, as they know that I will walk out at the drop of a hat for a job I want. However they still tell me I must apply and accept any job, so it seems I will probably be forced to take a job selling electricity door to door or something, if nothing comes up.

I have told them I would be quite happy to do some temp work, but even these jobs require experience (i.e. factory work, driving, etc) and still nobody would employ someone who is clearly over qualified for the role.

I have applied for dozens of jobs in the 25-30k range just to get back into work, but people are naturally suspicious of someone who clearly has a wide experience working in the industry applying for low scale jobs. Roughly I apply for 60 jobs a month, but the market is tough atm.