In a dillema better off on benefits!

ravernoloo · 17 May 2011 at 6:56PM

Hi, i am coming up to my 3 months probation at my current part time job. I am contracted to 16 hours but do maybe 20 a week so 4 hours overtime. Taking into account the amount housing benefit top up on my rent and also council tax, it works out that i would be £10 a fortnight better off on benefits! I have been struggling to pay my rent and bills since working, how can this be so? I know that at the end of my 3 month probation my boss is more than likely going to lay me off as she feels my work performance isnt as good as she would like. I work my !!! off when i am working so not sure why she thinks this. I just dont see how this governemental system works, when i would be better off money and stress wise being on jsa. I am 24 so cannot claim tax credit. I just dont see how i can ever get off benefits if this is how they treat people who work part time. What are your suggestions?

viktory · 17 May 2011 at 7:08PM

Ask your boss how you can improve your performance. Take on board her comments and improve your performance at work. Then ask for more hours and therefore earn more. If you 'give up' on your current job, there is a very real danger you face a long period on benefits. Your attitude seems somewhat lackadaisical at the moment.

bestpud · 17 May 2011 at 7:09PM

If you are working hard but not achieving, then you need to ask why. I would request a meeting and ask what you can do to improve your performance.

As for benefits, it's hardly any difference now, but you need to think long term.

Being in employment will make is easier for you to find a full time position and your earnings will hopefully increase at some point.

On JSA, you will be going nowhere.

Also, the govt is planning to penalise those who are on JSA for long periods - there was some talk of reducing HB payments once you have been claiming a year. What would you do then?

bigjl · 17 May 2011 at 7:09PM

Having never claimed benefits ever in my life, and have never had the luxury to only work 16 or 20 hours a week I am badly placed to advise.

I used to work more hours in that whilst in Uni!

Have you thought about working two jobs, though I always thought that if you work up to 16 hours you still get means tested benefits, again, this is second hand info having never claimed.

make_me_wise · 17 May 2011 at 7:09PM

Although you may be marginally better off per week on benefits, say about £5, the benefit of being in employment surely outweighs this. Not having a gap on your cv and gaining relevant experience can only help you when you search for jobs in the future. Plus there is the stimulus of meeting other people and having the adult interaction.

Being on JSA would mean you'd have to go along to sign on every week or so and prove what job hunting you have been doing. I know its really tough out there rgiht now but wold eventually finding a full time position not be the best next move. Its generally easier to find a new job when you are already employed. If I were you I'd take the power away from your current non-appreciative employer, find a new job and resign.

bestpud · 17 May 2011 at 7:10PM

viktory wrote: »

Ask your boss how you can improve your performance. Take on board her comments and improve your performance at work. Then ask for more hours and therefore earn more. If you 'give up' on your current job, there is a very real danger you face a long period on benefits. Your attitude seems somewhat lackadaisical at the moment.

LOL Great minds...!

colacubes · 17 May 2011 at 7:11PM

Its your choice what you do. You are choosing part time I assume

You could get a full time job perhaps as you havnt posted any reasons to why you have to do part time.

ravernoloo · 17 May 2011 at 7:18PM

i dont have to do part time but that is all the hours available to do hence doing around £20 hours. It took me a few months to get this job as there are no full time vacancies at the moment. I was thinking about doing party planning eg bluebella but my current boss wont be able to change my shifts around as the shop i work at is open from 6am until 10pm and you need to be available for any time of shift, so a second job is not really an option, an employer would not like a picky choosey person over what hours they can do according to the first job. Sorry if i sound not so 'upbeat' but it seems like i am just going nowhere, and if i get laid off in 2 weeks time when my probation is up i will just have to claim anyway. My boss is well known for bullying people out of thier job, in the last 3 months of working there 3 people have left.

colacubes · 17 May 2011 at 7:21PM

You sound resigned almost as to losing your job, perhaps your employer is picking up on this or perhaps you are just down at the moment.

Try to think positive as hard as it may seem.

FBaby · 17 May 2011 at 7:24PM

Do all you can to keep that job, whatever it takes to make your manager happy. You are only working 20 hours so there is plenty of time to look for a full time job. Apply to all that is available, you are bound to be offered one as you are in the meantime gaining experience. Once you get new full-time job, dump the other one and start enjoying the value of earning your own living and not relying on benefits.

ravernoloo · 17 May 2011 at 7:24PM

its hard to think positive when i have gotten myself in debt with my rent account as i cannot afford to pay it. It just seems a loosing battle, you work your socks off every week to find at the end of the month you have no money whatsoever to spare. Its even more difficult when i see the alcoholics and such come into my shop spending £10 a day on a bottle of vodka, when i cant even afford 1 a month... i just dont know what to do.