Would you complain about a member of Job Centre Staff?

Northern_Princess

Hi,

I wondered if anyone has complained about a member of staff at the Job Centre and is it worth the effort?

I went to sign on today and advised them I'm starting a new post on 12th December. I also let them know that I have a temp job starting tomorrow through an agency that will take me up to when I start my new post. The "Advisor" asked to see my job search record which I showed her. I keep my job search record an a printout of a spreadsheet. The spreadsheet is an exact copy of the paper job search form they give you to complete. On it I'd noted the outcome of jobs I'd applied for and interviews I'd been for. I know I'm incredibly lucky when I say this so please don't jump on me, but I've been successful in being offered 5 jobs and I'd noted this on the spreadsheet. She queried what job I'd been offered first and I said that it was one at a local Council which I'm taking as it's closer to home (10 min drive) whereas the others were a min of 50 mile round trip. She then asked when the others were starting and I said I had no idea as because I had secured the Council post which suited me when the others had called to offer me the posts I had declined them. She then went on to say in a very sarcastic tone "so Mrs XXXXXXX you seem to be the golden girl of employers don't you with all these offers when I have people coming here who can't get an interview not to mention a job. So we'll need to call the employers who offered you these jobs and find out start dates they were going to offer you, if the dates are before tomorrow you may lose your JSA from the period the posts were starting until now". She then thrust my signing paper at me, slammed the pen down and said "sign here" which I did. I then asked when I would know if my JSA would be paid in this week and she said "ah you'll need to wait and see how long is a piece of string". I walked out at this point.

Can they with hold your JSA for this? I'm absolutely livid at her attitude as well. I got offered the posts end of last week so I very much doubt the start date would have been today anyway as some of them needed PVG and Disclosures done for them. Is it worth complaining about her attitude do you think?

Thanks.

DCFC79

I dont know if they can with hold it but i dont see the point of her being like that, yes you had a few job offers and you took the 1 that was best suited to you (isn't this what people do anyway) and in your case its the distance. Maybe she was hasving a bad day and took it out on you or maybe she's applied for jobs and not had any offers.

Maybe it was the fact you accepted a job that wasnt starting straight away and you turned down jobs that were possibly starting sooner. Bet you wish you hadn't said anything about accepting the job now.

I wouldnt have said anything about this job you accepted but i would have said about the temp job you were starting soon then signed off closer to the time.

Sambucus_Nigra

Your mistake was even going in there. I'd have just signed the sign off thingy and dropped it off with them. The miserable old witch has probably been looking for jobs herself for yonks and getting nothing.

ETA; Well done, enjoy being a golden girl for a while eh?

Northern_Princess

DCFC79 wrote: »

I dont know if they can with hold it but i dont see the point of her being like that, yes you had a few job offers and you took the 1 that was best suited to you (isn't this what people do anyway) and in your case its the distance. Maybe she was hasving a bad day and took it out on you or maybe she's applied for jobs and not had any offers.

Maybe it was the fact you accepted a job that wasnt starting straight away and you turned down jobs that were possibly starting sooner. Bet you wish you hadn't said anything about accepting the job now.

I wouldnt have said anything about this job you accepted but i would have said about the temp job you were starting soon then signed off closer to the time.

I so wish I hadn't mentioned my full time permanent post now. I'd marked the spreadsheet up with unsuccessful applications, interviews planned etc so she saw my job search progress from that. I wish I hadn't been so blooming honest and only told them about the temp job. Your damned if you do and damned if you don't with the JC I think

Northern_Princess

Sambucus_Nigra wrote: »

Your mistake was even going in there. I'd have just signed the sign off thingy and dropped it off with them. The miserable old witch has probably been looking for jobs herself for yonks and getting nothing.

ETA; Well done, enjoy being a golden girl for a while eh?

Wish I didn't have to go in but it was my signing on day and if I hadn't signed wouldn't have got any money which I need to see me through until I get paid from the temp job.

alex21

Yes, I would complain if only to stop this kind of arrogant treatment of other customers. Complaints are treated seriously. She is not a decision maker by the sound of it and it is they who will decide based on the evidence. If it does not go in your favour I would appeal. Too many little madams like this about. I work in Jobseekers! Congratulations golden girl. Ignore the sour grapes and bask in your success!:D

LadyMissA

I would sign off then make a complaint IF you do get sanctioned. Seems stupid they wanted you to start a job if the start date were sooner than the one you did accept. You say however you did accpet the first job that you were offered, yes? What if you had turned that down for a later job application for a job that started sooner, would that have been ok? I bet they'd have something to say about that too

good luck

glasgowdan

Ignore her and the technicalities, write a general complaint about her rudeness (don't even bother going into what you were in for etc) and good luck in your nerw job!

The_ICT_Engineer

Send your complaint to the area manager, Concerning her actions, As it sounds if she making it up as she goes along. The job centre is not going to start ringing up employers about start dates, When you are signing off. She must be a dally mail reader.

concerned43

I have complained about 5 times (different matters) and it is worth it. JCP do take complaints seriously and the little madam will be 'spoken to'. I would fill in the official form they have at JCP for complaints and hand it in. You will get a letter explaining what action they have taken etc.
Good luck in your new job!

gravitytolls

Yes, please do. So many people have experiences such as yours ~ they made my 57 yr old mum, worked since 15 yrs, made redundant, age against her ~ cry, for the crime of telling a prospective that she likes to be busy, so could do something else during quiet times.

Her treatment of you was outrageous, A little power seems to go to the heads of some people in this environment, and the power to impose sanctions seems to be a little thrilling for some.

Congrats on the job, and the other offers, don't let her get you down, and do complain, if only to ensure further training is given to the staff to ensure they remember their clients are real life human beings.