Should I Become a Wage-Slave or Not?

corbyboy

Martynb_ wrote: »

I think I am guaranteed 16 or more hours. I've specified 35 hours, but they did state that sometimes the hours will drop. By how much? I don't know, but I am guessing it could drop to 20 with it being January/February.

That's quite important then. If your contract states 16 hours then you need to approach it as if these are the number of hours you will work. A promise of 35 hours per week is not worth the paper it's written on if your contract states 16 hours.

When I first starting reading your posts it was a no-brainer you should take the job. But the revalation about the number of hours you will work would lead me to reconsider.

Martynb_

chris1973 wrote: »

If your contract only states and guarantees a minimum of 16 hours of work, then thats all that they have to give you. Anything above that is, and should be considered as a bonus.

Provided it doesn't drop below 16 hours, then I don't think you have anything to persue. The crux of the matter is in the figure which is in the contract and the minimum number of hours it states that you will work.

It does state 16+ which I take to mean 16 hours guaranteed, and the + taken to mean the bonus, the extra. In other words, my hours will rise and fall. I don't want that. Even the woman at the job centre said that I needed 30 hours or more otherwise it is not worth taking the job.

Martynb_

corbyboy wrote: »

That's quite important then. If your contract states 16 hours then you need to approach it as if these are the number of hours you will work. A promise of 35 hours per week is not worth the paper it's written on if your contract states 16 hours.

When I first starting reading your posts it was a no-brainer you should take the job. But the revalation about the number of hours you will work would lead me to reconsider.

16+ in fact. It doesn't mean that I am guaranteed 30 hours each week. I could just get 17 hours. That's no good for me.

Adams1

Martynb_ wrote: »

...

I never thought I'd meet a man that stands on the same morals grounds as I do. Thank you for showing me I'm not the only one in this world.

... We should talk sometime. :cool:

joseph9a

I personaly wouldn't go back to a job i'd already done. ive done it once before and regretted it and rembered why i left after about a week. £50 a week wouldn't be enough for me to go into a job i'd hate, if it was an extra £100 i'd been considering it and if it was an extra £150 i wouldnt have to think then haha

Sharon87

Well I worked at a cinema with a 4 hour contract. Was a bit horrible, suppose to be full time. My hours on average were between 19 and 30. What I did was still claim housing benefit and handed my payslips in every time and they readjusted my entitlement. So you can still work and have money to survive. You can also still claim council tax benefit. You only get a portion of it, but if you're working 16 hours a week you'll get a fair bit of housing benefit.

Just because you a few weeks you don't work 30 hours or more, doesn't mean you have to be worse off financially.

Martynb_

Sharon87 wrote: »

Well I worked at a cinema with a 4 hour contract. Was a bit horrible, suppose to be full time. My hours on average were between 19 and 30. What I did was still claim housing benefit and handed my payslips in every time and they readjusted my entitlement. So you can still work and have money to survive. You can also still claim council tax benefit. You only get a portion of it, but if you're working 16 hours a week you'll get a fair bit of housing benefit.

Just because you a few weeks you don't work 30 hours or more, doesn't mean you have to be worse off financially.

If I work below 30 hours I'll only get £45 towards my rent. It just messes everything up. And I'm with a private landlord who is running a mortgage on my property and can't really afford to have that instability each time I come to pay the rent.

Jowo_2

My original question back to the OP is "what is your proposed third option if you don't enjoy being on benefits and don't want to be a wage slave? What is your alternative proposal if you wish to come off benefits but can't find yousrelf a well paid interesting job?"

The following response doesn't sound like much of an active, structured plan to me.

Martynb_ wrote: »

... Surely, something else will come along anyway regardless whther I am working or not?...

I'm sure the OP appreciates that the government and its representatives at the job centre don't give a hoot about his desire for job satisfaction and his fear about negative relationship with other employees. They simply feel that those who can work do work.

jennyfive

Have you considered going into further training or education? Then you might be able to get into a job that would be more your cup of tea? The Job Centre would probably be happy with you doing that and you'd possibly be entitled to grants/loans/bursaries depending on your circumstances. Maybe look at the big picture - if you don't see yourself being happy in this job but you need it for the money then look on it as a means to an end - a way of getting money and experience which could lead to better things. All the time you have this job you can be looking for another that's better. As people say, it's usually easier to get a job when you already have one.

I spent three years in a job like you're describing so I can understand your trepidation. I actually left it without another job to go to, I was that miserable, then I applied to study at college... spent two years studying something I loved (music) and actually ended up with a job working for the college, in a place where I feel respected (jobs where the employer respects you do exist!).

Needhelpsaving

To be fair, it sounds like you have talked yourself out of the job. But you could use it as an opportunity to move on; I don't mean within MD's but you could get some experience and it will look better on your CV when you apply for other roles that you feel are more suitable.

In essence, use it as a stepping stone as a lot of people lose their confidence when they have been out of work and/or employers stigmatise people who have been out of work for long periods (from experience in recruiting) as they don't think they will last.

It may not be what you want long term, but it could be a hidden opportunity for you to get where you want to go.