The Work Programme New Thread

KevInChester

oneofmillions768 wrote: »

Starting on the Work Programme in the next week or two (unless a miracle job offer occurs) and need some advice.

1) When you go to the Job Centre for the last time before transferring to the Work Programme are you legally obliged to sign the form which amends your JSA agreement? Can you just say am happy with my present agreement, would there be any consequences if you didn't sign it?

2) In your first day on the Work Programme, can you refuse to sign the waiver for the Data Protection Act (don't give consent)? If I don't sign what are the consequences?

3) Do I need to hand over a hard copy or electronic copy of my CV?

4) What is the situation regarding Action Plans etc, do you have to sign these also?

Sorry for all the questions, but this government don't exactly advertise your rights regarding going onto the Work Programme.

Personal note, what more do they want me to do. I send off a good amount of job applications each day, am training myself up in new IT applications to maintain/enhance skill set and keep amending my CV to make it look fresh.


Good luck to anybody else who has the same concerns.

1) Generally speaking yes you will have to.

2) This isn't mandatory, read and re-read any forms they give you to sign. The wording should make it clear that your rights to participate in the programme will not change if you don't give consent.

3) DWP say no, many WP providers will try to force you though, it's one of those cases where they hold all of the cards and will threaten you with sanctions for non compliance.

4) Providing it is all legal and above board then yes you need to sign them.

The whole thing is a con, it's an absolute disgrace.

donnajunkie

KevInChester wrote: »

3) DWP say no, many WP providers will try to force you though, it's one of those cases where they hold all of the cards and will threaten you with sanctions for non compliance.

their job is to help people. part of that is obviously to ensure you have a decent cv(and letter). they also need to know your work history so they know what type of jobs to match you with. so i see little point in trying to withhold your cv. if you did all they would do is ask you to fill out a form detailing your work history and then they would make a cv from that.

KevInChester

I've given a copy of mine, I was writing it from the point of view of somebody who might be reticent. I would say however the modifications that were made by my adviser have been shown to many people - including people from the self same company (anon). The universal feedback is the parts he added particularly to the cover letter were bad - he added a part about "My friends and family say I am a good worker"... I can just see how that line would go down with an employer.

LadyMissA

john539 wrote: »

They'll quote security reasons regarding name.

Rest of letter is standard letter, so is ok as far as they are concerned.

Maybe they make it obvious false name has been used, so they can't be accused of hiding it.

Maybe write to them & ask if that name is genuine, as Goff Daft does look iffy.

Sorry ? The letter is a standard letter? It is not even on the same topic!! LOL

LadyMissA

cosmoseater wrote: »

1, You still have to sign on with JC and look for jobs etc

2,If you refuse then you get a max of 26weeks of no payments

3,No

^All this is what I have heard. I was meant to start this joke a few weeks back but I refused the first pointless 4week charityshop work and I have yet to hear anything from JC or the firm that deals with the WP in my area, they gave me no names, emails, numbers just 1;sign these 2: Do this 4 week thing, 3:Have a nice day, goodbye. Complete joke and pointless.

Erm you can refuse to sign the form at the WP!

cosmoseater

LadyMissA wrote: »

Erm you can refuse to sign the form at the WP!

Yes, but they will put a sanction on, this is what they told me when I was there a few weeks back.

LadyMissA

cosmoseater wrote: »

Yes, but they will put a sanction on, this is what they told me when I was there a few weeks back.

No they can not - they have lied to you!

IT SAYS IT ON THE FORM YOU DO NOT HAVE TO SIGN AND IT WILL NOT EFFECT YOUR BENEFITS!

looby75

cosmoseater wrote: »

Yes, but they will put a sanction on, this is what they told me when I was there a few weeks back.

they lied to you.

They CAN NOT sanction you for refusing to sign the form that gives consent to share your details.

geoffky

here you go...explained here

http://www.boycottworkfare.org/

LadyMissA

geoffky wrote: »

here you go...explained here

http://www.boycottworkfare.org/

Is that the Work Programme?