Signing On

tcr_3

Most Job Centres are now open for signing from 08:30-16:50 hrs Mon-Fri plus some on Saturdays too because, such is demand, they've had to open longer to create more signing on appointments.

Doesn't sound like much, but that's an extra 2-3 hours a week that Job Centre staff are expected to work and not be paid for. So I doubt the OP will get far with his "woe is me" routine.

seven-day-weekend

Blobby8 wrote: »

I have paid tax every week (apart from two weeks on the dole) of my post school life, I am totally amazed that anyone like you could have their hand in my pocket for free cash and have the rediculous idea that once a fortnight the state should organize themselves around your personal transport issues.
What do you class as a decent rate of benefit ? Enought for you to have a car to get you to JCP ?
If people did get decent benefits why would they go to work ?
I didnt suggest starving people into submission I suggested that if you find it so onerous to attend JCP stop attending if it doesnt suit, and do without benefits. I can assure you that if I could walk 8 miles to JCP that is what I would do,leaving me more disposable income.

Agreed. It's once a fortnight. What is the problem? If it was work you would have to go every day.

Blobby8_2

BreamoreBoy wrote: »

And if you tell that to kids today, they simply won't believe you

Cold gravel too !

Edinburgh65

tcr wrote: »

Most Job Centres are now open for signing from 08:30-16:50 hrs Mon-Fri plus some on Saturdays too because, such is demand, they've had to open longer to create more signing on appointments.

Doesn't sound like much, but that's an extra 2-3 hours a week that Job Centre staff are expected to work and not be paid for. So I doubt the OP will get far with his "woe is me" routine.

Mm, I thought that the JC staff were there to try to help people. My mistake.

He wasn't exhibiting a "woe is me" attitude in his initial post. He merely asked a civil question, and was probably (foolishly) hoping for a civil answer. As he says, he has at no point said that he intends not to be available for signing on if the signing on time doesn't fit in with his transport.

tcr_3

Edinburgh65 wrote: »

Mm, I thought that the JC staff were there to try to help people. My mistake.

He wasn't exhibiting a "woe is me" attitude in his initial post. He merely asked a civil question, and was probably (foolishly) hoping for a civil answer. As he says, he has at no point said that he intends not to be available for signing on if the signing on time doesn't fit in with his transport.

JC staff do help people, I never said otherwise. In fact most JC staff are working so far over their contracted hours it has to be seen to be believed. The entire system is only maintained by their dedication, not that you'd ever guess that from the comments of the professional malingerers and vexatious complainants who hang around this board.

richpoortyke

Interesting thread. I think the OP originally asked a question if something was possible and wasnt asking for peoples political opinions on it. Everyone has their own views on what is reasonalble to do or not to do in their jobsearch. What it comes down to is the fact whether the OP is doing what his Jobseekers agreement says. Thats the contract that is signed. If he doesnt do what it says then he is liable to be sanctioned. No amount of name calling and right wing bully tactics will change this. If he follows the rules then that should be fine with everyone in my opinion.
Personally OP i would ask the JC if it is possible to move the time. I would give reasons why. Take a bus timetable with you. If they say no then i would visit the library (if its open) or combine the trip with something else. Visit a friend/relative or do some shopping.
As for knocking on business doors im not personally a fan of this. Many employers do get sick of people turning up with CV's. I often think it depends on the business type. If you are looking for kitchen/bar work its probably worth a try, and some shops have application forms to pick up in the shops themselves and often put you on a waiting list (assuming you havent already applied online).
I know its a pain hanging around with nothing to do. Ive been there and done it many times.

Oh and i dont know about your Jobseekers agreement but the one i just signed says i have to be willing to travel up to 1 hour each way to a job. Im assuming the Jobcentre are aware of your travel restrictions though. They should have asked when you first attended.

Good luck with the job search

Fang_3

OP - it's only 8 miles - why can you not walk?

ghost_whistler

Bunting wrote: »

When I used to sign on, I had to catch the morning bus in, sign on. and then wait all day and catch the evening bus back. It was miserable... but I did it.

Having to wait around for two hours is nothing.

And isn't that ridiculous.

A whole day wasted.

ghost_whistler

Blobby8 wrote: »

I have paid tax every week (apart from two weeks on the dole) of my post school life, I am totally amazed that anyone like you could have their hand in my pocket for free cash and have the rediculous idea that once a fortnight the state should organize themselves around your personal transport issues.
What do you class as a decent rate of benefit ? Enought for you to have a car to get you to JCP ?
If people did get decent benefits why would they go to work ?
I didnt suggest starving people into submission I suggested that if you find it so onerous to attend JCP stop attending if it doesnt suit, and do without benefits. I can assure you that if I could walk 8 miles to JCP that is what I would do,leaving me more disposable income.

Tax is just a system, so is finance, and so is capitalism. You make your contribution and that's great. But do you have the same anger toward Barclays for cheating the system and paying 10% of their tax? Would you if you could? It's just a system and the rich the run it play it as much as you think 'scroungers' (and aren't they all) do.

There are a hundred and one better things people could be doing with their time than pointless jobs just to profit our exploited economy - just to profit the rich few that squander their wealth offshore or hide it in assets that can't be touched. if those assests alone were taxed we could pay off this deficit in a day, just google professor Greg Philo and learn how.

The unemployed could be tapped for their skills - many are artists or musicians or writers. They could produce works of culture that could be put online and sold or showcased to attract investment or even tourism (it works for the Beatles, just ask Liverpool). Isn't it sad that people just assume and write off the unemployed as scroungers. Even voluntary work isn't regarded with much respect. People that volunteer while claiming still have to sign on and deal with all the nonsense the DWP insists on, on pain of sanction. Isn't that what the 'big society' is all about? Why not let people that volunteer claim JSA without all the nonsense they are after all doing work in lieu of the state. Why is there no help for people like me coming off ESA to find the right sort of work, instead of taking the default line of 'you are a lazy scrounger, off with you'?

I haven't asked for a car, it wouldn't be much use because as i said - (you don't read do you) I don't drive. A decent rate of benefit would be more than £65, don't ask me for an exact amount, but since food and travel and clothes and everything costs the same whether you are working or not it needs to be nearer the NMW than not. Britain has one of the lowest benefit rates in europe.

The idea that people won't work if they received more in benefits is just a nonsense. People will work if that work is worthwhile and needs doing and treats them properly. Why else should people work? So they can profit the banksters and the landed gentry? Tell them to clean their own moats!

Expecting people to walk 8 miles to sign on is as ridiculous as your portrayal of my asking that the jobcentre should accomadate their customer's needs. Why shouldn't they? If someone has transport issues, the nature of their income won't change that. If I can't get to the jobcentre at whatever am because the buses aren't running at that time then why is that my fault?

ghost_whistler

BreamoreBoy wrote: »

And if you tell that to kids today, they simply won't believe you

On what grounds do you base that massive generalisation? Do you know all the 'kids of today', or are yuou more comfortabel sitting behind yoru keyboard insulting whole swathes of society?