Mandatory Work Activity - Anyone done it?

Coco_H

I've been refereed to the mandatory work activity programme by my new advisor she told me its compulsory and if I failed to do it I would be sanctioned up to 13 wks.

I was told by her its a 4 weeks work experience mostly likely in a charity shop for 30hrs a week over 7 days, I've been referred to the provider SEETEC and they called me today saying I have to go for a group introduction too see what work experience is available they said they only work with charitable organizations now I have no problem with doing this as I was looking for my own volunteer work as it is but I am a bit anxious by where they will be placing me and who with I've only been signing on since June so I've not done any WP yet so no experience of what this ensure was just wondering if anybody else has done this scheme and how have they found it.

red_devil

yes its compulsory try and find something yourself its less hassle for them then.

Coco_H

I asked them if it was possible to find my own volunteer work but was told I couldn't.

red_devil

I was told to go and find myself a charity shop i liked. It never came to anything though. They also mentioned Matalan. You havent any choice you have to do it although i though they had scrapped the work placement. Wasnt the work experience under the Old New Deal.

scot88

Coco_H wrote: »

I asked them if it was possible to find my own volunteer work but was told I couldn't.

I got the same response last year..some carp about health and safety. I was sent to a charity shop...a filthy hole. I had no problems being on the shop floor and interacting with customers...but how working in a dirty basement..with no heating was gonna help me get a driving job..I'll never know. Found a job myself eventually.

Coco_H

I think this a new scheme different from the work programme from what I've researched its only been introduced recently and can be given to any job seeker at any time, I will give seetec a call tomorrow see what they say.

DebiT

Public Interest Lawyers have mounted a legal challenge of the Government's mandatory work activity scheme arguing that it amouts to illegal forced labour.

You can read about it here:http://www.workprogramme.org.uk/201111171756/mandatory-work-activity-is-slavery-lawyers-mount-legal-challenge.html

red_devil

wonder when the result will come.

saintjammyswine

DebiT wrote: »

Public Interest Lawyers have mounted a legal challenge of the Government's mandatory work activity scheme arguing that it amouts to illegal forced labour.

You can read about it here:http://www.workprogramme.org.uk/201111171756/mandatory-work-activity-is-slavery-lawyers-mount-legal-challenge.html

It wont come to anything because it isnt forced labour. If people dont want to do it they dont have to. They wont get their JSA but if you make the choices you live with the consequences.

mattw7

saintjammyswine wrote: »

It wont come to anything because it isnt forced labour. If people dont want to do it they dont have to. They wont get their JSA but if you make the choices you live with the consequences.

We will see!

I wouldn't be so sure of yourself. Being given mandatory work experience in receipt of benefits can be seen to be a form of working for below minimum wage which is illegal. All someone has to do is prove that this company is not exploiting the opportunity of free labour and with so many shops, supermarkets and other companies involved I can't see how they aren't. The law says you need a minimum ammount of money to live on, it should never ever be used to force people into working for benefits, that here is the key.

IMO the courts will rule that any form of working scheme whereby people are working with others in a paid job that they must be renumerated with at least NMW or the going rate in that field of work.

Saint, you seem to condone the behaviour of these organisations probably because you are working in that area but you should be worried for your own job as if the courts do rule in favour the government will drop these contracts for sure. Then it will be the likes of you doing your own job under some other scheme probably for receipt of your own benefits. Then we'll see how you like it on the other side of the fence!!!

scheming_gypsy

mattw7 wrote: »

We will see!

I wouldn't be so sure of yourself. Being given mandatory work experience in receipt of benefits can be seen to be a form of working for below minimum wage which is illegal.

As long as your benefits are below £182.40 a week which is minimum wage for a 30 hour week, so your take home will be lower.
Don't forget to take into consideration that it's 'benefits' and not just JSA, so in some cases it's working for council tax benefits, housing benefits, *others* and JSA on top of that.