Forced to apply for job too far away?

earthbound_misfit

This question is for a friend of mine. He is currently claiming Jobseeker's allowance, under 25 rate.
The jobcentre have told him he must apply for a job that is about 1hrs travelling away (public transport). Obviously, if he refuses to apply he will lose his benefits.
Problem is, the shifts at this job end after public transport has stopped for the night. (This is around 11.45 at night - not unreasonable.)
He pointed this out to the jobcentre advisor and they said he could "stay overnight or something" and so still has to apply for the job. Noises were also made about "sabotaging interviews" so if he applies, but badly, they will spot it. He is fairly likely to get the job as he has previous experience, shining references, and is newly ex-forces - in a (geographical) area where this gives him bonus points!

It is ludicrous... what can he do? Just apply and hope not to get it? Or can he fight against the ever increasing inhumane insanity of the DWP?

(ps. he is trying to get a job, has been on JSA about 3 months)

Boots888

Ask the Job Centre to come up with more realistic expectations, speak to a manager and tell them this is neither fair nor viable.

bluebird

I would sabotage the interview, afterall they gotta prove that you meant not to get the job!as i feel they are being unreasonable.

QueenieB

You don't say, but is there a reason your friend can't drive? Does he know anyone who works similar shifts in the area? Has he asked the company if they run some sort of car sharing scheme?
It just seems like a situation where some determination might mean the difference between having a job (and demonstrating his problem-solving skills to his new employer) and being unemployed. And an hour's travel to work doesn't seem too much to me. Plenty of people have to do more.

Boots888

QueenieB wrote: »

You don't say, but is there a reason your friend can't drive? Does he know anyone who works similar shifts in the area? Has he asked the company if they run some sort of car sharing scheme?
It just seems like a situation where some determination might mean the difference between having a job (and demonstrating his problem-solving skills to his new employer) and being unemployed. And an hour's travel to work doesn't seem too much to me. Plenty of people have to do more.

You'd need a tonne of determination or ambition to put yourself out so much as to do any of things you suggest.

Next you'll be calling him a scrounger for not accepting the unnacceptable oye!!:rotfl:

melly1980

Tell him to watch trainspotting. He will get the answer to his problem there.

duchy

QueenieB wrote: »

You don't say, but is there a reason your friend can't drive?.

He's on JSA-How much disposable income do you think he has ?
Perhaps he should explain to the employer that if they could just advance him a month's salary before he starts he could afford to buy a car, tax and insure it and put petrol in it ? Maybe driving lessons too if he hasn't got a licence. There's determination and there's cloud nine - If he rolled up for the interview and said he'd like the job but had no way of travelling home -the interviewer would think he was nuts. Common sense is pre-requisite of most jobs after all.

Nothing like advice from someone who has never been in the situation described eh ?

josie.d

Well said duchy! :rotfl:

oompahloompah

He should still go for the interview - many employers (including a few previous of mine, pub jobs mainly but one factory one too, where the industrial estate was the middle of nowhere!) provide subsidised taxis for staff who work after the public transport has stopped for the night. Also, I had another job with "unsocial hours" and there was another employee who lived about 10 mins from me who drove to work, and HR arranged for us to meet - we agreed if I contributed to their costs (I think I gave them about a tenner a week, a few years back now though) they would pick me up and take me home again. It could be something he asks in the interview.

[Deleted User]

he could reasonably point out the problem IF he gets an interview,the OP seems confident the friend will get the job,in the current climate such certainties dont exist,could he perhaps borrow a car from family or friends for the times he would be on the problem shift while he saves for a small car or motorbike,or dare i even suggest a push bike,after all as ex forces he must be fit enough

savageHK

Boots888 wrote: »

You'd need a tonne of determination or ambition to put yourself out so much as to do any of things you suggest.

What's unacceptable about it? I would travel 1 hour each way if unemployed. Is driving not an option (given the lack of public transport)?
I know people who spend more time than that travelling to work.