Holidays and JSA.

feelex

Cheers, everyone.
I've read scenarios where people have gone to the job centre and been told there's no such thing as holiday leave, so I'm just worried they'll try and end our claim or cancel our money for that fortnight.
Like I said, we'd even sign on while we're away; we really do have every intention of going online and carrying out our job searches every few days we're gone.
We'd need to get back with 48 hours notice, yes. Obviously we COULD do that, but as we're going so far away two days will be spent each way on just the journey, and if they phone us to come back the day before the wedding it will have all seemed pointless and my Mum and I will both be gutted I can't be there.
I wondered about the funeral thing, too. I'm sure they're less likely to give someone grief for wanting to go away for a funeral than a wedding but that isn't something I can sort out in advance, so it's too risky to try!
Like I said, I just want to be honest with them in the hopes that they'll be honest with me about what I'm entitled to.

feelex

CountryGuy wrote: »

Does compassionate leave exist when claiming JSA?

Compassion? Job Centre? Does not compute.....

feelex

dookar wrote: »

If you do not intend to seek employment whilst you are away from your home district you must inform an employment officer of this in order to be treated as such

As said in the original post a couple of times, I definitely do intend to seek employment while I'm away

viktory

feelex wrote: »

I just want to ensure that we get everything we're entitled to, and aren't short-changed by some miserable jobs-worth.

That miserable jobsworth is doing a difficult job, with constantly shifting priorities for not much money. I don't think they deserve your disparaging comments.

dookar

baza52 wrote: »

!!!!!!. you ARE allowed to take a holiday/break. Just let your Job Center know and it will be fine. Some people here like to list the worst case scenario regarding your claim.
As long as your honest you wont have a problem.

Who's done that? The rules have been given, clearly demonstrating that the OP can, indeed, go away.

feelex wrote: »

As said in the original post a couple of times, I definitely do intend to seek employment while I'm away

Yep, as above, I was just saying the rules and letting you know that you don't need to.

popadom

If they deny anything about hoilday leave ask to speak to the manager.
Maybe it is better to take some of your two week holiday rather than "compassionate leave" . The hoilday leave will excuse you for two weeks for looking for jobs(someone correct me if im wrong) but you have to come back for a job. When i go away i only go to see my family(which i normally try and do over a weekend/so i dont miss a sign on date)

But when i cant I always do a search in the area i live before i go, and apply. But i also do a search in my home town for both their and here. If i havnt got my laptop i use my familys computer or internet cafe to make sure ive applied. Ive explained to the job centre that if i get a job in my home town i would take it(and move) so i always apply.

If you have internet access near the wedding, explain to the job centre you still will apply, just not where you are. As long as you apply i cant see the issue.

feelex

We'll be staying at my Mum's for ten days and taking our laptop, so we'll be just as able to jobsearch while we're there as we are when we're at home - we'll be going on exactly the same websites, sending out the same emails/making the same phonecalls.
We'll be in again on the 8th so will ask for a form then and see how it goes. I'm worried that there's going to be an argument on our hands, but will definitely be asking to speak to a manager if we're not granted our leave.

feelex

viktory wrote: »

That miserable jobsworth is doing a difficult job, with constantly shifting priorities for not much money. I don't think they deserve your disparaging comments.

Referring more to the fact that some people have said being granted holiday was a breeze, others have found that they've requested a holiday and been told their entire claim has being closed down. Seems to be a lot of "depends who you get on the day" that I've seen in various forums, and definitely have experienced first hand that if someone is having a good day/you get 'a nice one' you'll be treated properly and given everything you're entitled to, but if you're getting someone on a bad day or get a miserable person, they don't care if you want to be smiley and polite with them, or that you're trying to do everything above-board; they make you feel like you're inconveniencing them by asking for the service they signed a contract to provide.
That's definitely something that I've experienced time and time again, and am just worried that I'll catch someone on a bad day or someone who really doesn't want to work there (I get told that by JC workers a lot) and they'll decide that they just don't feel like following the rules that day. As has been the case with many people in the extensive research I've put in to this.

Whether those people have been rude and unco-operative, I don't know. If I was working there and someone was being confrontational with me, I'd definitely feel inclined to make things difficult for them - though I couldn't as it's my job to provide a service, whoever the customer. But I'm always pleasant. I take the opinion that things are easier for both parties if the atmosphere is light. So perhaps if people HAVE been rude and haven't been granted their holiday as a result of that, it won't be something I encounter.

Like I said, I've never been late to sign on, let alone missed an appointment. I'm kind and pleasant, and it is always commented that I seem very eager to work (and EVERY fortnight have been told that they've never seen anyone put so many entries into their job search book in a fortnight) so I'm hoping that there isn't a problem, and things will run as smoothly as some say it should/have experienced.

gordikin

I stayed with a relative in another town for a week and arranged through my own JC+ to sign on there.

feelex

Brilliant, I was hoping that'd be an option. I'll definitely suggest that when we go in, then.