JCP "will be short staffed over the summer"

sammyjammy

Interestingly JCP (now DWP) employs people on a permanent contract to specifically work at these periods, two weeks at Christmas and Easter and six weeks over the summer, quite popular with students I understand.

There are a disproportionate number of term time workers in JCP due to past HR policies, these people are entitled (currently) to retain that contract as long as they like meaning there are is less opportunity for these contracts to be agreed to new mums of school age children.

bazza5070

Yes that is the case, I work with 3 women whose 'children' are all in the twenties now but still work only term time but will not change their contract, it does not go down well with other newer mums!!!

charlieismydarling

How ironic and unfair that JCP staff are on term time only contracts but do not allow lone parents to limit job searches to term time only.

Sauce for the goose anyone?

Makes me furious.

GotToChange

sammyjammy wrote: »

Interestingly JCP (now DWP) employs people on a permanent contract to specifically work at these periods, two weeks at Christmas and Easter and six weeks over the summer, quite popular with students I understand.

There are a disproportionate number of term time workers in JCP due to past HR policies, these people are entitled (currently) to retain that contract as long as they like meaning there are is less opportunity for these contracts to be agreed to new mums of school age children.

I cannot believe that the roles can be carried out successfully (again - if the reason for these contracts is to retain "specialised/highly skilled" staff) by people (students or not) who come to it only occasionally and for a short duration. How on earth can they offer the "service" (and yes, it is one) effectively. I find that most ..... (polite word)...peculiar.

bazza5070 wrote: »

Yes that is the case, I work with 3 women whose 'children' are all in the twenties now but still work only term time but will not change their contract, it does not go down well with other newer mums!!!

There surely should be some means by which the contracts are reviewed - even though I don't actually agree with them

charlieismydarling wrote: »

How ironic and unfair that JCP staff are on term time only contracts but do not allow lone parents to limit job searches to term time only.

Sauce for the goose anyone?

Makes me furious.

Oh the bitter irony!

Another way in which one group of society is pitted against another. It make me sick too.
The Gubbernment makes radial and sweeping changes, seemingly on whims (us that a word), that impact every citizen in this country (last I heard [this morning - must stop listening to Radio4] is that Council Tax will have to increase to cover the costs of Council employee pensions).

bazza5070

How ironic and unfair that JCP staff are on term time only contracts but do not allow lone parents to limit job searches to term time only.

Sauce for the goose anyone?

Makes me furious.

Two points to consider:

1. Lone parents can have exactly the same privilege as staff on term time contracts. Anyone on one of these contracts only gets paid during term time. Lone parents can do this as well, only sign on during term time and sign off during school holidays - thats that one sorted.

2. You can actually be deemed available and actively seeking but not have to attend the JCP for up to 3 months of the year if you have caring responsibilities for a child under the age of 12, so the above issue actually isnt an issue at all.

Please do not jump in before reading the criteria for eligibility of Lone Parents. :rotfl::beer:

SarahFx

PurplePow wrote: »

When I worked at DWP it was quite surprising the amount of workers who were on term time contracts despite their 'children' now being adults at University, and they had no intention of leaving such a contract. It meant that people who had young children were refused if they requested a term time contract.

Yes this has happened to me. I have a four year old and requested term time as I deal with lone parents who generally dont want to come in during the holidays anyway. I was refused as the four staff who already have term time don't want to give it up oreven move it to non school holiday times. The youngest child between them is 18 and the eldest 25.

I now have to pay £29 a day for my son to be looked after in a holiday scheme which is more than I earn in a day. I'm furious at their selfishness. And furious that my employer will not change the rules so that it ends when the child hits 17 or something.

GotToChange

bazza5070 wrote: »

How ironic and unfair that JCP staff are on term time only contracts but do not allow lone parents to limit job searches to term time only.

Sauce for the goose anyone?

Makes me furious.

Two points to consider:

1. Lone parents can have exactly the same privilege as staff on term time contracts.
I know what you mean, but this is really strange phrasing...
Anyone on one of these contracts only gets paid during term time.
Obviously
Lone parents can do this as well, only sign on during term time and sign off during school holidays - thats that one sorted.
Comparing apples and oranges.

2. You can actually be deemed available and actively seeking but not have to attend the JCP for up to 3 months of the year if you have caring responsibilities for a child under the age of 12, so the above issue actually isnt an issue at all.

Please do not jump in before reading the criteria for eligibility of Lone Parents. :rotfl::beer:

...I understood the original point to be that lone parents are not allowed* to limit the jobs that they look for/apply to to those which are "only term-time, not that they would hope to reduce the number of times they attend the JCP to sign.
But on second reading, maybe I'm wrong.

*And yet, they may be being "advised" by someone who works in that manner - even though (as being commented) they are - depending on the criteria for eligibility to work term-time for the DWP - not strictly (and certainly not a priority?) the staff who most need the flexibility....