Work Programme

john539

Reverbe wrote: »

spoke to a lad today at charity shop i started volunteering at and he said his service provider seatec? have sent him there for a month doing 30 hrs a week and not even getting fares etc.. is this for real?? can they really make you work a full time week at cost to you with no job prospect at the end of it and then still argue you have to jobsearch in your own time in the evenings?? This lad is a labourer by trade .. why have they sent him to a charity retail outlet??

Maybe the problem is it's voluntary and he assumed, was misled, was duped that he had to do it.

He should discuss with provider, charity, then DWP that someone is trying it on.

donnajunkie

john539 wrote: »

Maybe the problem is it's voluntary and he assumed, was misled, was duped that he had to do it.

He should discuss with provider, charity, then DWP that someone is trying it on.

you could be right but the situation if true is a tricky one for them. well because on one hand if its voluntary you can quit without consequence but on the other hand the rules say you must do whatever your adviser tells you to. mine gives me a print out of everything agreed. on it it says whether its mandatory or voluntary. the computer allows her the option to make it either but mine made everything mandatory. there is a possibilty she wont end up my permanent adviser. i am hoping that will be the case because she seems to be a bit of a c*w.

john539

donnajunkie wrote: »

you could be right but the situation if true is a tricky one for them. well because on one hand if its voluntary you can quit without consequence but on the other hand the rules say you must do whatever your adviser tells you to. mine gives me a print out of everything agreed. on it it says whether its mandatory or voluntary. the computer allows her the option to make it either but mine made everything mandatory. there is a possibilty she wont end up my permanent adviser. i am hoping that will be the case because she seems to be a bit of a c*w.

The advisors work for a private company with far less accountability & will tell people anything.

Actions should really be agreed with you.

You don't have to agree to everything if it's unreasonable.

You can't tell people doing voluntary work with a charity is mandatory, that is unreasonable.
You can tell them to consider it.

Provider would be stupid to let this go to DWP appeal for a decision.

heathertheblether

donnajunkie wrote: »

you could be right but the situation if true is a tricky one for them. well because on one hand if its voluntary you can quit without consequence but on the other hand the rules say you must do whatever your adviser tells you to. mine gives me a print out of everything agreed. on it it says whether its mandatory or voluntary. the computer allows her the option to make it either but mine made everything mandatory. there is a possibilty she wont end up my permanent adviser. i am hoping that will be the case because she seems to be a bit of a c*w.

I have really had my eyes opened during the last few posts on this thread. I genuinely had no idea that this kind of thing went on. It is shocking, to say the least..........thank goodness I opted for the "easy" way out (College). Though, at 50, whether or not it was a good choice remains to be seen! :rotfl:

donnajunkie

john539 wrote: »

The advisors work for a private company with far less accountability & will tell people anything.

Actions should really be agreed with you.

You don't have to agree to everything if it's unreasonable.

You can't tell people doing voluntary work with a charity is mandatory, that is unreasonable.
You can tell them to consider it.

Provider would be stupid to let this go to DWP appeal for a decision.

you would have to show its unreasonable and lets face it they arent going to side with the claimant.
my adviser asked me if i was interested in going to an organsation called focus on were they supposedly improve peoples confidence. i asked if i find i dont like it could i stop. she said yes. the problem with that is there is a big m right next to it on the print out. apparentlylat focus on i am going to have to spend time with psycologists and they link up with my doctor. all of this i have no choice in thanks to her making it mandatory. personally i am not that bothered about it myself but it shouldnt be mandatory.

donnajunkie

heathertheblether wrote: »

I have really had my eyes opened during the last few posts on this thread. I genuinely had no idea that this kind of thing went on. It is shocking, to say the least..........thank goodness I opted for the "easy" way out (College). Though, at 50, whether or not it was a good choice remains to be seen! :rotfl:

it really depends on how lucky you are. they can be ok with one person and a c*** with the next. i find if they start taking the pi** people just take the pi** right back. all within the rules to avoid getting into trouble of course.

Reverbe

OMG Donna I would seriously think that mandatory psychologist visits are certain not in the work providers remit..partic if it goes on your doctors records which can follow you around . if a prospective employer reqeusts medical records access and they see you have effectively been seeing a shrink it could seriously harm your employment opportunities.. Please contact your DWP/jobcentre advisor on this if not citizens advice...

donnajunkie

Reverbe wrote: »

OMG Donna I would seriously think that mandatory psychologist visits are certain not in the work providers remit..partic if it goes on your doctors records which can follow you around . if a prospective employer reqeusts medical records access and they see you have effectively been seeing a shrink it could seriously harm your employment opportunities.. Please contact your DWP/jobcentre advisor on this if not citizens advice...

my first appointment is on tuesday. i am going to go with an open mind. if they start asking me to sign forms granting them access to my medical records then i will say no. i was only refered to it due to an answer to a question i gave on the computer. it asked about how confident i am. anyone who finds themselves on the work programme who says they are confident about getting a job is not telign the truth. plus if you say you are confident you usually find yourself in tesco stacking shelves for your dole the next day. while this thing is down as mandatory but she did say the items on the sheet are subject to change at any time.

Reverbe

"anyone who finds themselves on the work programme who says they are confident about getting a job is not telign the truth"

I am. I am not confident as such in that I do not feel employers have the jobs out there but I am fully confident in my interview techniques etc and feel I have as much chance as any. Work programme is a one size fits all thing that they now must send everyone on. I have only been unemployed since mid Jan and yet you are already flagged up as a failure in their system if you have not found a job in 13 weeks..

Gargleblaster

Reverbe wrote: »

I am. I am not confident as such in that I do not feel employers have the jobs out there but I am fully confident in my interview techniques etc and feel I have as much chance as any. Work programme is a one size fits all thing that they now must send everyone on. I have only been unemployed since mid Jan and yet you are already flagged up as a failure in their system if you have not found a job in 13 weeks..

I'm getting the the stage were I hope I don't find a job just to spite them.

It was suggested to me last week that whenever I apply for a job I should say that I would be willing to work for free for the first month.