The Work Programme New Thread

EndlessStruggle

I've heard the stories about peoples employers sacking them and retracting job offers due to being on the Work Programme. She said to me that some people in the past haven't wanted their employers to know they came from the WP so it was up to me if she wanted me to contact them or go through me. I don't have any problem with her calling me, she sounded very pleased when I said I had a job and said it had made her week and she knew I would get a job etc etc. She sounded more excited than I was. I got my contract today and it looks good.

red_devil

the staff are so overworked at these places and have to see to several people at once.

andy2004

The work program is a JOKE.
Had a phone called yesterday, a survey on the work program, went through a list of all the things they are suppose to do with you whilst your on it.
I was asked to say yes or no to each one if I had done them, I got through the entire list by saying NO, and there where a good 20 items, and i've been on it for 6months.
I missed an apppointment due to forgetting about it, i'd put all the papers away and it slipped my mind, and as it turns out I also happen to pull a muscle in my back on the same day which the doctor gave me pain killers for and was told to rest it. However today I had a letter telling me that was THOSE WHERE NOT A GOOD ENOUGH REASONS and i've been sanctioned for 2 weeks.
why did i forget, maybe because it was 2 days after the queens jubilee.
virgin media where screwing me around for the previous 5 weeks with my broadband and failing to activate my new modem.
mixture of all the above. the appointment slipped my mind. I could understand if the sanction if i decided not to go, but I honestly thought my appointment was some time the following week.
nearer to the end of the month not the beginning.
And usually the phone you to tell you when your appointment is, which they did, 15minutes before i was due to go, they sent me a text message on my phone, which was downstairs in my coat pocket which i didnt hear as i was in pain with the pulled muscle. And how many times have i told them to PHONE ME ON MY LANDLINE first about 5 times and only to use the mobile if they cant get hold of me via the landline.

Red Devil, my A4E place is not OVER WORKED, they hardly see anyone whilst i'm there, the building itself apart from the staff, me and some other woman who was trying to change her appointment due to making her doctors appointment at the same time and was told to change her doctors appointment was empty.

Endless Struggle your lucky, after 6months of being on this A4E work program they havent even offered me a work placement they are only interested in me doing volunteering work, example driving people from home to doctors or hospital, gardening, diy etc.

lizzie157

Not sure if this is the right place but no one has answered my thread so just wondered if anyone on here can help. My partner is on ESA and I was called in for a work focused interview and offered a place on Launchpad, I have been told I won't be forced onto it but that I would receive help with a CV, basic maths and english, self esteem and confidence building and a 4 wk work placement. I am seeing someone else in a couple of weeks. The person I saw was v. nice if a bit naive. The thing is I don't really need help with the CV, maths, english, jobsearching etc and was thinking of doing some voluntary work anyway under my own steam, so am wondering just how useful this Launchpad is? It does sound like the programmes described on here and if so I can't see the point in attending as I know how to look for work etc and hopefully any voluntary work I find will help with my confidence. Does anyone know if it is the same as that offered to those who sign on ?

donnajunkie

red_devil wrote: »

the staff are so overworked at these places and have to see to several people at once.

then why do they make more work for themselves than what they have to?

donnajunkie

andy2004 wrote: »

However today I had a letter telling me that was THOSE WHERE NOT A GOOD ENOUGH REASONS and i've been sanctioned for 2 weeks.
why did i forget, maybe because it was 2 days after the queens jubilee.

what they dont realise is they need our co-operation to make money. what i am saying is if i ever got sanctioned through them i would be tempted to send in the withdrawal of consent letter. if they asked me why, i would say because you got me sanctioned. i would also continue to say if things improve over the next few months i will consider reinstating my consent.

TeaCake

Do the initial consent letters get signed at the job centre or at the first WP meeting after referral?

donnajunkie

TeaCake wrote: »

Do the initial consent letters get signed at the job centre or at the first WP meeting after referral?

i cant remember for sure. i remember signing something at the jobcentre. i wasnt aware of the consent issue when i started. so i thought i was just signing forms that you always sign when you start something. that is why i cant remember coz i didnt pay much attention.

looby75

My WP are going to think they have hit pay day with me soon. I've just signed off JSA, unfortunately to go onto ESA as my GP has signed me off sick for at least the next 4 weeks.

She signed me off for 2 weeks last week and I phoned and told them and signed the sick form for JSA as I was hoping to get better quickly. They said they would put a note of me phoning them and cancelled my appointments with them, and for me to send my sick note in.

I got a phone call yesterday asking me why I hadn't turned up for an appointment. I told them I was signed off by the doctor and they said I hadn't informed them or the JC (funny how the JC knew to send me the form I needed though) , which is a load of rubbish. They are so useless they can't even take and pass on simple messages.

I'm waiting for all the phone calls wanting to know where I'm starting work at!

donnajunkie

looby75 wrote: »

I got a phone call yesterday asking me why I hadn't turned up for an appointment. I told them I was signed off by the doctor and they said I hadn't informed them or the JC (funny how the JC knew to send me the form I needed though) , which is a load of rubbish. They are so useless they can't even take and pass on simple messages.

did you correct them and say as you had signed off could they explain how they think you havent informed the jobcentre.