Forced to apply for job too far away?

Kirri

I'd just say I applied, they are unlikely to check.

It's all very well being keen for work but there has to be an element of sense in what jobs they give people to apply for! It's honestly not worth trying to reason with the JC!

Elvisia

I have a feeling the employer can't say whether he applied or not anyway under the Data Protection Act? I am sure I read that on here!

Derivative

earthbound_misfit wrote: »

Gosh. How much do you think a taxi would cost, if it's an hour by public transport? Even if he ran the last couple of miles?
And on £4.98 an hour?????!!!

Without context an hour by public transport could be anything. You hadn't mentioned a train initially.

It takes me an hour to get into my city centre by bus. 15 minutes waiting at the bus stop, 45 minute journey. It's 5 miles. Taxi would cost £10. Can cycle it in 20-30 mins.

(incidentally, why the assumption that everyone CAN drive? I haven't learnt yet and at present can't afford to... I've always walked/cycled/used public transport as this has been more economical on a low wage.)

Well, besides a few disabilities, anyone can drive, they just need to do lessons and pass the test. It's not hard, it just requires training. I did lessons over Summer and have no plan to buy a car in the next few years, it's just good to get them out of the way for later. And something to stick on the CV.

Also, the £4.80 an hour sounds like sub-minimum wage, you said he's ex-forces - the NMW for 18 year olds is £4.98/hr. Surely he's not younger than that?

He's on JSA-How much disposable income do you think he has ?

This one is daft, just because someone's on JSA doesn't mean they're skint. You can have £7k in the bank and claim JSA. Is the default state to assume someone has no money just because they're unemployed? Income is not capital.

Vincent_Buenisedes

Derivative wrote: »

Without context an hour by public transport could be anything. You hadn't mentioned a train initially.

It takes me an hour to get into my city centre by bus. 15 minutes waiting at the bus stop, 45 minute journey. It's 5 miles. Taxi would cost £10. Can cycle it in 20-30 mins.

Wouldn't be worth it in my opinion - the transport costs are far to high for a minimum wage job.

Well, besides a few disabilities, anyone can drive, they just need to do lessons and pass the test. It's not hard, it just requires training. I did lessons over Summer and have no plan to buy a car in the next few years, it's just good to get them out of the way for later. And something to stick on the CV.

Also, the £4.80 an hour sounds like sub-minimum wage, you said he's ex-forces - the NMW for 18 year olds is £4.98/hr. Surely he's not younger than that?

Cost money - driving lessons aren't free you know, and that's before the theory and practical tests.

This one is daft, just because someone's on JSA doesn't mean they're skint. You can have £7k in the bank and claim JSA. Is the default state to assume someone has no money just because they're unemployed? Income is not capital.

While it is true that people on JSA may have savings, it is more probable that they are not flush with cash, especially if they're applying for minimum wage jobs.

Derivative

Vincent_Buenisedes wrote: »

Wouldn't be worth it in my opinion - the transport costs are far to high for a minimum wage job.

I'd agree if we're talking about a train journey.

Until that was mentioned though, it seemed like cycling would have definitely been on the cards, and if you really wanted the job, walking would have been manageable with the odd taxi when you felt knackered, until something better came along.

Cost money - driving lessons aren't free you know, and that's before the theory and practical tests.

Obviously, but then driving lessons are probably one of the best investments a person could make. Unless you envisage never owning a car in your lifetime, or driverless cars becoming commonplace within a few decades, you'll use the license sooner or later. Also opens up the possibility of taking a hire car.

If it's not possible due to having £0 then it's not possible, fair enough. At the end of the day, it's unrealistic to assume you'll always be able to get a job next door, so it makes sense to save some money to drive/move home if necessary.

While it is true that people on JSA may have savings, it is more probable that they are not flush with cash, especially if they're applying for minimum wage jobs.

Perhaps, but we're talking about someone who's been in the forces for presumably a fair few years. To assume they are skint makes no sense to me. Is it common that people in full time employment have no savings? I work part time for NMW while studying and I have a few grand stashed away, why would being on NMW mean I have to spend it all?

baza52

Derivative wrote: »

I work part time for NMW while studying and I have a few grand stashed away, why would being on NMW mean I have to spend it all?

bacause you obviously have no dependants or commitments.
For all we know he might have a child or partner to support.
He might also have debts that need paying too as well as rent and his food.

Derivative

baza52 wrote: »

bacause you obviously have no dependants or commitments.
For all we know he might have a child or partner to support.
He might also have debts that need paying too as well as rent and his food.

Fine, but that gives him a _possibility_ of having money troubles.
It doesn't mean he automatically does.

Also, a child or partner mean he would have additional income to support them (child benefit, partner could get JSA, etc).

It's daft to assume that someone claiming JSA or on NMW automatically has to be fe ckless and spend every last penny.

baza52

Derivative wrote: »

Fine, but that gives him a _possibility_ of having money troubles.
It doesn't mean he automatically does.

Also, a child or partner mean he would have additional income to support them (child benefit, partner could get JSA, etc).

It's daft to assume that someone claiming JSA or on NMW automatically has to be fe ckless and spend every last penny.

If he had a partner on JSA they could lose it if he earned enough for them as a couple to live on.

Have you any idea how much it costs to run a household even if you live alone?

If you did you would understand why a minimum wage job wouldnt stretch that far.

Derivative

baza52 wrote: »

Have you any idea how much it costs to run a household even if you live alone?

If you did you would understand why a minimum wage job wouldnt stretch that far.

Actually, the reason I question the common complaint that NMW doesn't pay the bills is because I do live alone.

I pay for all of my outgoings personally, renting a flat.
Yearly it costs me about £7000 in total for essentials (rent, food, CT, utilities).

A full time NMW job pays roughly £10k a year, though on top of that you are likely to get certain benefits like WTC, CTB.
Ignoring the benefits, that leaves £3000 out of which to pay for travel, leisure, and anything else gets saved.

Not exactly "flush with cash", but not underwater either.

Also, if my net annual income was £10k - I'd house share. I couldn't deal with spending 70% of my time working simply to put food on the table. Regardless of income, if you're not building wealth long term, you are running up the down elevator.

baza52

Derivative wrote: »

Actually, the reason I question the common complaint that NMW doesn't pay the bills is because I do live alone.

I pay for all of my outgoings personally, renting a flat.
Yearly it costs me about £7000 in total for essentials (rent, food, CT, utilities).

Round here you would be lucky to get a flat for £7k a year let alone including bills n food

A full time NMW job pays roughly £10k a year, though on top of that you are likely to get certain benefits like WTC, CTB.
Ignoring the benefits, that leaves £3000 out of which to pay for travel, leisure, and anything else gets saved.

£3000 is just under £58 per week. Earlier you were suggesting he get cabs home every night till he saves up. The cabs could cost in excess of £100 a week.

Not exactly "flush with cash", but not underwater either.

Also, if my net annual income was £10k - I'd house share. I couldn't deal with spending 70% of my time working simply to put food on the table. Regardless of income, if you're not building wealth long term, you are running up the down elevator.

Now im confused, You said earlier you work part time for NMW and have a flat and can still save but above you say if you earned £10k (full time) you would house share.

How many hours do you work? Are you getting grants or have other income?