'Not following Job Centre Directiions'

looby75

eyelinerprincess wrote: »

Now I'm depressed. Meant to be going to one of these Back To Work sessions on Wed (although I was told that there would be an element of sitting around talking and I didn't have to do that if I didn't want to...). I've been dreading it, I feel bad enough that I've been on JSA for almost two months without going to one of these "sessions".

aww try not to worry about it too much, you can request a one on one session if you can't handle speaking in groups (so I was told) but if its too late to go that route now just go prepared with a question to ask, doesn't matter what it is even if it's something you already know the answer to.

What you've got to remember is that everyone else on it is in the same boat as you, just started claiming JSA and just as fed up as you.

eyelinerprincess

It's not the talking that I'm worried about (I don't mind talking in groups), it's the whole content of the session. I know how to search for jobs, I have a CV, I just don't see the point in wasting the petrol to get there and back if there's not much I'll be able to learn from it.

looby75

eyelinerprincess wrote: »

It's not the talking that I'm worried about (I don't mind talking in groups), it's the whole content of the session. I know how to search for jobs, I have a CV, I just don't see the point in wasting the petrol to get there and back if there's not much I'll be able to learn from it.

I know what you mean, but unfortunately it's just one of the hoops you have to jump though

ceridwen

O.P.

I like the look of your two posts' worth of points you intend to make.

Very clear, logical - well thought-out.

Good luck.

I am astonished/shocked to hear that the System is set up deliberately to fail some people - regardless of what the person themselves is like. I think thats simply awful. Each person should be judged on their own merits - not according to some sort of pre-set target of being determined that some people would fail.

I'm surprised that no disaffected employee has yet leaked the details of this to the Guardian newspaper or some such methinks..:cool:

ceridwen

eyelinerprincess wrote: »

Now I'm depressed. Meant to be going to one of these Back To Work sessions on Wed (although I was told that there would be an element of sitting around talking and I didn't have to do that if I didn't want to...). I've been dreading it, I feel bad enough that I've been on JSA for almost two months without going to one of these "sessions".

It IS depressing that this sort of nonsense is going on.

But - one way for you personally to take this is "Now I've been warned. Forewarned is forearmed - so I will make sure I PARTICIPATE (ie ask inane questions I already know the answer to..:cool:) and they havent got the excuse they want to pull me down on this".

BTW - Check whether you can charge them your costs (ie that petrol) for getting to/from the "course". I certainly would..

HappyMJ

eyelinerprincess wrote: »

It's not the talking that I'm worried about (I don't mind talking in groups), it's the whole content of the session. I know how to search for jobs, I have a CV, I just don't see the point in wasting the petrol to get there and back if there's not much I'll be able to learn from it.

Well there's something you don't know then. You can claim the costs of attending this session back from the Jobcentre (as long as it's not on your normal signing on day). If you don't believe me then ask the question "If I have to attend these sessions or interviews am I able to claim the costs back from the Jobcentre" They will then give you a form to fill out you provide a copy of your bus ticket or state the number of miles you had to travel (they'll only pay the same as a bus ticket) and they will pay it into your bank account. Yes it may only be £2 or £3 but any extra is a help.

Personally I walk the 2 miles and claim I got the bus using an electronic pass and get back £3.40 which covers the bus journey at £1.70 each way or if I drove it would be 40p/mile * 4 plus £1.80 for the car parking.

frostyfeet

shikoku wrote: »

Are you saying the victims are picked out at random, because that is the only way this target could be achieved?

And I'm guessing they would go for the most vulnerable, those least likely to know how to go about contacting their MP or otherwise calmly but methodically kicking up a stink in response.

No, I'm not saying that at all. In fact this target actually protects the customer. There is a different target for how many submissions should be made but of those submissions jobcentre staff should strive for 50% of them to be disallowances....which means roughly 50% of all doubts are likely to be allowed. It's not to encourage staff to raise doubts on innocent people, it's to ensure when a doubt is raised, it's raised for the right reason and they take the correct action - ie submit a quality submission with all the necessary information provided.

morganedge

eyelinerprincess wrote: »

Now I'm depressed. Meant to be going to one of these Back To Work sessions on Wed (although I was told that there would be an element of sitting around talking and I didn't have to do that if I didn't want to...). I've been dreading it, I feel bad enough that I've been on JSA for almost two months without going to one of these "sessions".

Dont worry about it. You can get the expense back assuming it's not on your sign on day.
Also, they appear to vary greatly based on your particular job centre and your area.
People make it sound like a big group discussion....certainly not in my experience.
When I went, there were about 15 of us in a room (one lady didn't have any shoes or socks on and had filthy feet which i'll never forget!).
The whole time it was only the one guy taking the session who talked with the exception of when he asked the group what websites they use. Everyone kept quiet. I broke the awkward silence by naming a few websites. That was all the participation that was required.

According to the OP's experience, everyone bar me would have been kicked off of JSA! Well, I can assure you that that wasn't the case as I still see some of them when I sign.

It is a waste of time, but it has to be done. Just get used to it and accept it. There's plenty more such identical type sessions you'll have to attend. And then you'll get sent on an identical 'CV writing course' every month or so, lol.

HappyMJ wrote: »

Personally I walk the 2 miles and claim I got the bus using an electronic pass and get back £3.40 which covers the bus journey at £1.70 each way or if I drove it would be 40p/mile * 4 plus £1.80 for the car parking.

So you make a profit?? Kudos
I have found a similar hole in the system - well, maybe not the system as such and more the incompetence of staff that enables me to claim extra travel money back. I also get it in cash, lol.

looby75

HappyMJ wrote: »

Well there's something you don't know then. You can claim the costs of attending this session back from the Jobcentre (as long as it's not on your normal signing on day).

:mad: I wish I had known that, my BTWS was on the friday after I signed on on the Wednesday, and then I had to go back to the jobcentre the following Monday for a appointment with Next Steps, at £4 a time for a return bus ticket. £12 is a lot of money to pull out on a tight budget. No one told me I could have got at least some of it back.

It didn't say anything about it on the letter nor was it mentioned in the session

frostyfeet

Originally Posted by HappyMJ

Personally I walk the 2 miles and claim I got the bus using an electronic pass and get back £3.40 which covers the bus journey at £1.70 each way or if I drove it would be 40p/mile * 4 plus £1.80 for the car parking.
So you make a profit?? Kudos
I have found a similar hole in the system - well, maybe not the system as such and more the incompetence of staff that enables me to claim extra travel money back. I also get it in cash, lol.


I'm sorry, I realise that these are only small amounts of money but i don't believe these are loopholes or instances of staff incompetence. This is obtaining money by deception and really shouldn't be bragged about.