So poor I can't even pay attention

Piquant_2

bast wrote: »

*runs in* omg I am jobcentre staff, but love the tails of Captain and the Bear.. I love my two cats more than some humans I know.... *runs out with white flag.....

Hello Bast! Put the white flag away, you're quite safe!

I've grown quite attached to my adviser at the job centre, I don't have to see anyone else and he keeps us all entertained with his ideas for work! I've even written him a dating profile! It's not easy for him when I come from a specialist background that he doesn't really understand, but he openly admits I am better qualified to find myself work. He also says that it's nice to deal with someone that is trying hard to find work.

I love my animals more than a lot of people I should love too

Please pop back and tell us about your cats.

Piq

Piquant_2

brizzledfw wrote: »

Brizzle feels sheepish (!) honoured and takes a bow...am not sure there is a smiley for that!

Oh and she's doing her accounts and its not pretty...where does all the money go.....

Sheep!! I forgot the sheep in the welcome back speech! Actually, one of us here has got sheep it might be Eager Elephant.

You carry on cooking the books, but don't forget to visit the diaries.

Piq

Piquant_2

In my quest for employment I went to the Ald* recruitment open day. Armed with my CV I joined the queue of over a hundred people!

I don't think I stand a chance I have no retail experience but it was worth a try. It was quite a bizarre experience queuing alongside the alcohol aisle. I made an effort and wore a black skirt, tights and shoes with a white blouse. However, many people waiting were in scruffy jeans or tracksuits - odd.

I got to the front of the queue and was invited to a five minute conversation in a corridor as to why I wanted to work for Ald*. Dotted along the corridor were three other couples having the same conversation.

If I don't hear anything tomorrow I won't be offered an interview. There are only eight roles and so many people wanting them.

But I have something to discuss at the job centre tomorrow!

Piq

bast

I have done the advisor role in a jobcentre, I can`t comment on how staff treat people. I only know I have this stupid saying my husband taught me... I am better than no=one and no-one is better than me.. I treat everyone as an equal, with compassion and always a sense of humour. I always explain to people We don`t make the rules, we only apply them... do I always agree with them..:o
Your personal advisor is a new thing brought about in the jobcentre so that you see that one person. The other people you see are part of what is known as the fjr team..(fortnightly job review)Their job is to check your jobsearch and sign you on.. they have five minutes to do this.. so if someone is late.. makes it a little bit harder...:)
A few years ago it was decided that the processing of benefits should take place in a benefit centre.. The jobcentres role was purely there to help customers back into work. However I do have quite a good knowledge of benefits.. I have a pretty good understanding of ESA, Income Support, Dla, and used to process JSA claims.. If you need any help please ask.. Also have you never been told to ask for a call back from the benefit centre... If you are ever struggling you will be asked to use the phones in the jobcentre.. ask for a call back, you should receive this within 3 hrs .. You are then speaking directly to the people who process your claim....

On a nicer note I have two British short haired boys.. that are my world.. at present I am away from them and miss them horrendously... I to get presents of dead mice, shrews and get the look of utter disgust when I scream at them for dropping them at my feet, or in their food bowl... They were born to be show cats and their world would of been cages and cat shows, but we brought them and they live on a narrow boat, out in the wild, where they are allowed to roam and be free...:) Although I feel awful for the mice and shrews they catch and we have managed to free a few... I know it is cruel but I am laughing at the memory of my little one (think Whiskers cat) picked up and being shaken, by my husband, when he caught a mouse, all you could d see was the tail hanging out of his mouth, while he stubbornly would not drop it...The mouse actually survived though whether he lived through the shock... hey....Love the Captain stories, but the bear and the poo was funny.... I know the smell of cat poo...

taxi73

I cannot believe the way that the boss spoke to you but when the time is right I'm sure you'll be able to put him right in his place.I'm sure something good will come along for you soon as you try so hard to get work.

Bast..living on a boat sounds absolutely wonderful.

NewLeaf_2

Piquant wrote: »

In my quest for employment I went to the Ald* recruitment open day. Armed with my CV I joined the queue of over a hundred people!

I don't think I stand a chance I have no retail experience but it was worth a try. It was quite a bizarre experience queuing alongside the alcohol aisle. I made an effort and wore a black skirt, tights and shoes with a white blouse. However, many people waiting were in scruffy jeans or tracksuits - odd.

I got to the front of the queue and was invited to a five minute conversation in a corridor as to why I wanted to work for Ald*. Dotted along the corridor were three other couples having the same conversation.
Piq

Why did you say you wanted to work there? Bless you I just want to give you a hug.
I would be so angry I would have said something like "because I think the givernment imposing a minimum price on booze is just wrong. "

bast

I have heard various things of working for Aldi the money is good, but they do expect you to be "very" flexible in your working hours, and what stores you can work at... I too was appalled at the way you were spoken to by the coffee shop owner... what a sad little prat he sounds... bullies always like to feel they have an empire, and someone to shout at...I really hope you find something more suitable soon...:(

Caroline_a

Hi Animal People and Animals! I know the Nasty Boss syndrome, have worked for lots of them, along with the 'I'm on my way up, stabbing you in the back as i go' B1atch - I once watched one of those get her young, naive assistant totally plastered in order to make her look foolish (karma came in there when the assistant threw up all over her..:rotfl:)

I was also sacked when I was young and had good legs by a boss after refusing to go to bed with him - Pre Equal Opportunities Act (god, I'm old!!)

However... there are some good ones out there, I was stunned yesterday to get a phonecall from my current boss to say that someone had emailed him to say what a fantastic job they thought I was doing.. *faint* Made my week!

Piquant_2

bast wrote: »

I have done the advisor role in a jobcentre, I can`t comment on how staff treat people. I only know I have this stupid saying my husband taught me... I am better than no=one and no-one is better than me.. I treat everyone as an equal, with compassion and always a sense of humour. I always explain to people We don`t make the rules, we only apply them... do I always agree with them..:o

That's my mantra too. I'm fairly laid back anyway and don't think I'm better than anyone else [unless it's the kn*b at the garden centre , it which case I'm miles better:D]

However I do have quite a good knowledge of benefits.. I have a pretty good understanding of ESA, Income Support, Dla, and used to process JSA claims.. If you need any help please ask..

I might take you up on that. See my announcement that I'm going to make in a minute!!!

Also have you never been told to ask for a call back from the benefit centre... If you are ever struggling you will be asked to use the phones in the jobcentre.. ask for a call back, you should receive this within 3 hrs .. You are then speaking directly to the people who process your claim....

No, I didn't know about that. I'm going to have to contact them shortly.

On a nicer note I have two British short haired boys.. that are my world.. at present I am away from them and miss them horrendously... I to get presents of dead mice, shrews and get the look of utter disgust when I scream at them for dropping them at my feet, or in their food bowl... They were born to be show cats and their world would of been cages and cat shows, but we brought them and they live on a narrow boat, out in the wild, where they are allowed to roam and be free...:) Although I feel awful for the mice and shrews they catch and we have managed to free a few... I know it is cruel but I am laughing at the memory of my little one (think Whiskers cat) picked up and being shaken, by my husband, when he caught a mouse, all you could d see was the tail hanging out of his mouth, while he stubbornly would not drop it...The mouse actually survived though whether he lived through the shock... hey....Love the Captain stories, but the bear and the poo was funny.... I know the smell of cat poo...

Your boys sound delightful and what a perfect life they have. I'd love to live on a narrow boat...

Sounds like the boys have the same vendetta as the Bear, all rodents shall die....

Thank you for your offer of help and advice, I may pick your brains about working hours and benefits in the near future.

Piq

Piquant_2

An interesting and exciting day today.

Started with a paw tapping my face at five o'clock. The Bear was hungry, he does have a bowl of dry food at all times, but he was choosing to ignore that.

Often if I steadfastly refuse to open my eyes the Bear will settle down and wait for me to wake naturally. Not this morning...Next thing I knew the Bear was sitting on my chest, he's not light at 7kg! Still kept my eyes closed. Further tapping on my face! He moved off my chest and walked down to the end of the bed and tapped my foot. Still kept my eyes closed. Back up the bed he came. I could feel him looking intently at me as he chirruped at couple of times. Still kept my eyes closed. Eyes shot open at the nose licking though! Yeuck :eek: cat breath and a very raspy tongue is difficult to pretend to sleep through.

The Bear had first breakfast at 5:15!

I signed on this morning, my adviser is on holiday, so I saw a lady who didn't find my spreadsheet of applications adequate. Even though it goes into far more detail than the little book I was given to fill in. I stood my ground - sorry Bast and the lady accepted it enough to sign everything for the week.

I then met my mum and dad for coffee at Pr*t. We meet there every week. Now this is where it get exciting. Dad had already paid for my coffee so I had to go to the counter to collect it. I was the only one there so I was chatting to the chap serving. I admired his coffee machine, much simpler than the one I have to use at the garden centre. We got chatting about my job and I said I didn't enjoy it much as the owners aren't very nice and it's too short staffed. I then went and joined mum and dad with my coffee. Next thing I know is the chap sits down at the table with us and offers me a job working at Pr*t every weekend! Yes please :D:D:D:D:D

I will be able to tell the kn*b where to stick his job!

Didn't hear back from Ald* so that's a no-go, but I'm not sorry I don't think I would have liked it. Definitely, going to see about the stable job tomorrow, if it was a few hours in the week that would work very well.

Hurrah for me!

Piq