The Moral thing to do...

canonman

Just looking for some general advice... I was made redundant at my job, but instead of looking and applying for the jobs I wanted, I wanted to be in work within the week.

I am a fit young male so went down to a local "employment agency" and started work in a factory manual labour which is a huge financial step down but was in work and was paid weekly.

I have now been working for the agency for around 2 months and the work has dried up, I today went to enquire what I can do financially with regards to help as I have no fixed hours or contract.

I was told two options:

• If me and my gf are out of work we can claim £350 PCM in housing benefits and £440 PCM as a couple in JSA
  
• I can carry on working and they will deduct my earnings off around 45% of the weeks wages of the housing benefit? so if I worked 2 days in that week, nearly half would be taken off the housing benefit... working for nothing.

Just wondering what the ethical thing is to do, I want to quit working and look for a full time job whilst claiming housing benefit.

Jinx

I think if it were me, Id work. If you are unemployed for a long period wont you find increasingly difficult to find more work?

canonman

Jinx wrote: »

I think if it were me, Id work. If you are unemployed for a long period wont you find increasingly difficult to find more work?

In the work i have done in the past, there is always a large volume of jobs available, its finding the best companys to work for which have a good history and you can archive the bonus and work expected of you.

cashbackproblems

I would continue in work as short term easy financial gain can destroy your cv as you will have a gap (could be days/years) and get out of the routine of work which can for some people be hard to get back

Voyager2002

However, if the work available is unskilled and soul-destroying, then it would be better to use your time doing some kind of voluntary work that would develop your skills and lead to the kind of job you want. So I suggest that you sign on, but maintain your work routines (and avoid the gap on your CV) by doing voluntary work for a good cause.

mazmcgrath

Voyager2002 wrote: »

However, if the work available is unskilled and soul-destroying, then it would be better to use your time doing some kind of voluntary work that would develop your skills and lead to the kind of job you want. So I suggest that you sign on, but maintain your work routines (and avoid the gap on your CV) by doing voluntary work for a good cause.

I'vdone this while I was looking for work its very rewarding and you often learn extra skills.
Dont worry about the ethics you seem like an honest guy, you want a job and it shows. So whatever actions you take will be well intended and ethical!
Make sure thought that you are doing SOME kind of work paid or unpaid. Also think about a career change and see if there are any intern-ship opportunities, usually unpaid but worth it in the end.

bargainbetty

canonman wrote: »

If me and my gf are out of work we can claim £350 PCM in housing benefits and £440 PCM as a couple in JSA

• I can carry on working and they will deduct my earnings off around 45% of the weeks wages of the housing benefit? so if I worked 2 days in that week, nearly half would be taken off the housing benefit... working for nothing.

No, if you work two days and earn money, then the benefits system will still be there to make up the shortfall in your earnings - you would be working for your money, rather than taking it off the state when it wasn't necessary to do so. I'm sorry if that sounds preachy or mean, but the welfare state is a finite resource, and shouldn't be tapped by those who don't need it (or don't need all of it).

Apply for the benefits, but declare your earnings and pay your own way when you can. The ethical thing to do would be to work as much as you can and rely on the state only for what you genuinely cannot provide yourself. I do not see how refusing work to look for a job and living off state funds when you are capable of working and being offered work is ethical. If you really couldn't find a job, or had a long-term illness, the state is there to help. That isn't your position.

We've all done soul-destroying jobs. It is the incentive we have to better our circumstances wherever possible.

canonman

Thanks for all the replys...

I wanted to make some more enquires, I headed down the local job centre and asked some questions about my circumstances.

The advisor in a kind way explained that WE would be better of not working and spending all our time focusing on finding full time jobs or doing as mazmcgrath put it interships and hope they lead to better jobs.

SueC_2

canonman wrote: »

In the work i have done in the past, there is always a large volume of jobs available, its finding the best companys to work for which have a good history and you can archive the bonus and work expected of you.

So why have you had to take low paid manual work now then?

In your position I think I'd stop trying to 'find the best company to work for and have a good history', and just accept the first job to come along.

canonman

SueC wrote: »

So why have you had to take low paid manual work now then?

In your position I think I'd stop trying to 'find the best company to work for and have a good history', and just accept the first job to come along.

I was made redundant if you read my thread...

I don't fancy working for the first commision based job that lands on my door, or any pure cold calling call centers...

I think its best to concentrate my efforts on getting a regular full time job.

SueC_2

canonman wrote: »

I was made redundant if you read my thread...

I don't fancy working for the first commision based job that lands on my door, or any pure cold calling call centers...

I think its best to concentrate my efforts on getting a regular full time job.

In which case, having ruled out taking employment as an option, it's entirely your choice which of the two benefit routes is preferable to you.

Good luck.