Do you have to work for the Census?

Mr_Falling_Star

If the jobcentre referred you and you turn down this job there is a good chance they will give you a sanction for 2-26 weeks, which really is hassle

Marisco

I am all for people taking jobs, even if they are temps, however, the benefits agency needs to get it's act together as well!! Leaving people without money for weeks whilst they sort out claims is not on, and will be a barrier to taking up temp employment. There should be no waiting time at all, it should be seamless i.e sign off, work 6 weeks, sign on and get money the following week. But it does not happen like that - or if it does, it's only a tiny minority that it works for!! My son did quite a few temp jobs, as he wanted to work, and he thought any was better than none. He stopped in the end, as it was causing so much hassle re signing on and waiting for it to be sorted out!!

Mrs_Arcanum

redsilk wrote: »

Crikey, no way could you walk the distances for the enumerator role! It would be way too much and you would never get it all done. And if you had to rely on public transport...

I don't quite believe that about data just being collected for counting purposes, to be honest, but then I am a cynic

They are mostly around 800 houses in a round and unless they are highly rural then a car is not needed. However you do get transport costs if you are working a non local area.

As an enumerator you get to know which questions are absolutely needed and which they would like an answer for if possible. These are helpful to encourage those who are worried to at least give basic non identifiable information which all helps the statistics.

Some of the questions asked are just to ensure you start off with the right forms. More than 3 children or a lodger who did not live as part of the family needed extra/different forms last time.

Indie_Kid

Mr_Falling_Star wrote: »

If the jobcentre referred you and you turn down this job there is a good chance they will give you a sanction for 2-26 weeks, which really is hassle

The OP is on IS due to disability. Does the sanction apply there? I thought it was only if you received JSA?

Blobby8_2

I dont think you should count any job as being permanent, and if your not going to do the temporary work who do you think should ?

Mr_Falling_Star

sh1305 wrote: »

The OP is on IS due to disability. Does the sanction apply there? I thought it was only if you received JSA?

Yes you are quite right . No sanction would apply in this case.

rozmister

redsilk wrote: »

It's not an enviable job and I think the Census aren't having an easy task getting people to do it.

In some areas they've had a record number of applications actually. Where I live they have had so many they're a MONTH behind on allocating roles because of the sheer volume of applications to process. It's may not be an enviable job but it's a job and many people are desperate atm so any position is in demand.

OP I would speak to your GP about your worries as he may well agree and if he does that will provide you with evidence should the JC get on your back for turning it down. I would also explain to the Census people you're turning it down because of your anxiety issues so that if the JC contacts them they give that as a reason rather than just you didn't want it.

Ive_A_Horse_Outside

redsilk wrote: »

Crikey, no way could you walk the distances for the enumerator role! It would be way too much and you would never get it all done. And if you had to rely on public transport...

I don't quite believe that about data just being collected for counting purposes, to be honest, but then I am a cynic

Hmmmmm smells like excuses not to "get out there"

redsilk wrote: »

Well yes, they possibly wish to hide and in this present climate there are plenty of them. There is a lot of hostility out there and people are busy and don't like the disturbance. It's not an enviable job and I think the Census aren't having an easy task getting people to do it.

Oh dear more excuses...

As you can see here plenty of people have no issues returning to benefits - stop making excuses and just jump on my horsey and get out there. Plently of people would love 6 weeks work!

gastronomix

There are still roles available and I would urge people to consider taking them up. The work varies from being offered full time 37hrs p/w to 15hrs p/w, depending on area and take up. I agree that knocking on peoples doors and walking around when it might be a bit cold isnt everyones idea of fun, but it can be a reasonable way of at gaining some self belief and a few quid (£10.42ph in London). The jobs are generally not particularly stressfull, reasonably paid and nobody is expected to put themselves at risk!
Furthermore people are being encouraged to either complete online or post back the form themselves, so hopefully less doorstepping will be required.
https://censusjobs.co.uk/fe/tpl_census01.asp?newms=info1

I appreciate the hassle encountered by those on benefits of signing off for a short time but claims can be left open for up to two months and I would expect that showing willingness to take a temp role may result in less hassle when re-signing.

As an earlier poster stated information gathered is used purely for determining resources, ie: If an area has a large oap population then it will need greater medical and mobility needs or targeting specific nationalities needs through something as simple as providing translations of official material.
The spin off of this is that in many years to come your descendants will be able to discover a little about how your family lived in the past. This has been going on for over 200 years and is a legal requirement.