'Not following Job Centre Directiions'

looby75

ceridwen wrote: »

Well - for anyone who didnt actually need to be told the "basics" of jobhunting (ie most people sent on these "courses" by the sound of it) then I would be oh so tempted personally to define "participation" as taking every possible opportunity to pipe up and make comments about "I remember - when I was hunting for my first job <cough> number of years that I just walked straight into the first job I asked for". "I remember just how many on spec applications/interviews/etc I put in for another job" etc etc
(all comments deliberately designed to show that I had held a variety of jobs/been working for many years now and could probably teach the "trainer" a thing or two:rotfl::rotfl:). I would clearly have "participated" okay - whilst getting the message over loud and clear that my time was being completely wasted...

lol I've got to admit I did sort of do the same thing at mine. I spouted off about all the courses I voluntarily went on when I was on IS and how they all promised a work placement but not a single one actually managed to find me one that was compatible with my health problems. or even places for most of the other people on those courses that didn't have health problems lol

lili2008

Ah, SBR. Stricter benefits regime. The current Govt have realised that they can't reduce the benefits bill by putting people in jobs because..er..there aren't any. So..anyone who puts a foot wrong will be DMA'd. The good news is that if a job is not covered by your Jsag (job seekers' agreement) then the DMA will FAIL. Do not be pressured into allowing any adviser to put unsuitable jobs on the jsag.
Whoever said earlier that the job of JCP adviser is now more about punishing people like naughty children than actually helping them is absolutely right. Each adviser has a target (how I hate that word) of 1 DMA per day. A wise and compassionate adviser will achieve that by putting a direction on someone who they know will comply(eg provision of a CV) but you have to be clandestine about it. Because what really turns them on is making someone's life just that little bit worse.

grumpyoldwoman41

ceridwen wrote: »

(all comments deliberately designed to show that I had held a variety of jobs/been working for many years now and could probably teach the "trainer" a thing or two:rotfl::rotfl:). I would clearly have "participated" okay - whilst getting the message over loud and clear that my time was being completely wasted...

Yup, I would too.... but then it looks like some people are more asertive then others

You and me would be kicked out of such "course" for disturbing the "class"....

:A

Reminds me while at my previous job, there was an "assertivness" course being run by an external training company and I asked my then boss to sign me up for it.

He looked at me, laughed and asked if I wanted to get that other trainer a sacked?

Hmmmmm

The problem is that people who are assertive are often assumed to be rude by people who are less assertive or shall I say very self concious.

To be a trainer though, one has to be mega assertive, have a very thick skin and... enjoy their job

apbmdd

donnajunkie wrote: »

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.

I have been told quite catagorically that it's because I didn't participate. Not 1 question was asked of me, nor was I spoken to directly. I was given a task sheet of 'next steps' to fill out, which I did, and handed it back. I had nothing I wanted to say and, to be quite honest, I felt intimidated and upset that this is what my life has come to. This whole situation is now consuming me and it's all I can think of. I'm so worried about it. I'm not a 'rule-breaker' and feel awful if/when I do something wrong. I just cannot believe they are doing this to me.

apbmdd

Sues48 wrote: »

The Jobseeker direction letter is produced automatically when the session is booked, I'm pretty sure that the wording states that the jobseeker must attend the session at the date, time and venue stated on the letter, nothing about participating.

I've checked the letter and it says I must attend and take part in the session. It doesn't specify what 'taking part' is though. I have been trained in the skill of 'active listening' - meaning I don't have to say anything to be able to effectively listen and understand. I did not 'refuse' to do anything nor did I not speak when I was asked to. I simply wasn't spoken to directly. Seems to me that 'taking part' is a very subjective opinion and the silly ***** who's sanctioned me has obviously done it out of spite!

apbmdd

FBaby wrote: »

Each adviser has a target (how I hate that word) of 1 DMA per day.

Is that true?

mandragora_2

donnajunkie wrote: »

i am curious. please tell us what you said? did they give you a funny look?

We were asked to 'say something about your name'. Everyone else 'My name is blah blah blah, it means blah blah in Scottish. When I was born my mum wanted to call me blah blah, but my granny wanted blah blah, and the vicar said etc etc etc' x18.

Then they got to me. I'd sat, poker-faced for 40 minutes by this point. I stood up, said my first name, the fact that I work in a secondary school and sat down.

Embarrassed silence, then the trainer moved on to the next person.

donnajunkie

apbmdd wrote: »

I've checked the letter and it says I must attend and take part in the session. It doesn't specify what 'taking part' is though. I have been trained in the skill of 'active listening' - meaning I don't have to say anything to be able to effectively listen and understand. I did not 'refuse' to do anything nor did I not speak when I was asked to. I simply wasn't spoken to directly. Seems to me that 'taking part' is a very subjective opinion and the silly ***** who's sanctioned me has obviously done it out of spite!

isnt it a bit odd that if they are meeting a group of people for the first time that they are able to remember each persons name so that they can note that they havent taken part? apart from on arrival did you do anything to give them your name? did they ask you your name mid session at all?

Savvy_Sue

Sambucus_Nigra wrote: »

I also want to know other people's names, so that I can refer to them by their name rather than 'the lady over there'.

Surely the easiest way round that, for everyone, is the stand up piece of card on which you write your name with a marker pen and stand it in front of you?

That helps everyone: I won't have heard anyone who mumbles, and even if I did hear, there's no chance of me remembering more than about 3 names! I met someone today that I used to work with, and had to ask her to remind me of her name.

Sambucus_Nigra

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

Surely the easiest way round that, for everyone, is the stand up piece of card on which you write your name with a marker pen and stand it in front of you?

That helps everyone: I won't have heard anyone who mumbles, and even if I did hear, there's no chance of me remembering more than about 3 names! I met someone today that I used to work with, and had to ask her to remind me of her name.

But only the tutor can see them all....I can't see why people have a problem with introducing themselves - it's only polite to know who you are in the same room as for half a day or a day.