Mandotry Work Acivity via the Job Centre

Nickv1.0

Hi there Im just wondering if anyone else has been sent on the 4 week Mandory work via the Job Centre?

After being on JSA for the last 6 months I was forwarded for the work programme from my Job Seekers Advisor ... Well I say forwarded I was ordered to do it.

Im in my 2nd week at The British Heart foundation Furnature & Electrical store in Bradford which after at first I wasnt really keen on doing but Im really enjoying it.

Its bloody hard work though lots and lots of Heavy lifting, Carrying big TV and leather suites up 2 flights of stairs but it has done my confidence the world of good, Am waking up with a purpose and going home absolutely exhausted!!!

Am just wondering what experiences others may have had doing the 4 week volountary work????

1940sGal

There have been a few discussions on this subject recently. Did you see the woman in the papers who lost her court case because she claimed this sort of thing was nothing short of slave labour? Personally I think that's a bit far fetched but it's interesting nonetheless.

I'm not against the idea of voluntary work if i think it will land me a paid job at the end of it but I also know that's not guaranteed. But someone made an interesting point that it depends on the employer you're being sent to. They said that if an employer has the work to give you, why can't they give it you on a formal, paid basis? Are they using this sort of scheme purely as cheap labour? If so, it is a bit dodgy. But then again when you're on benefits and you're threatened with them being stopped you become powerless and it is a bit disheartening when you need the complete opposite.

Of course there's also the argument that people should prove they're deserving of their benefits, i.e they should prove they want to work and aren't happy to sit on their backsides all day.

Spamfree_2

1940sGal wrote: »

There have been a few discussions on this subject recently. Did you see the woman in the papers who lost her court case because she claimed this sort of thing was nothing short of slave labour? Personally I think that's a bit far fetched but it's interesting nonetheless.

I'm not against the idea of voluntary work if i think it will land me a paid job at the end of it but I also know that's not guaranteed. But someone made an interesting point that it depends on the employer you're being sent to. They said that if an employer has the work to give you, why can't they give it you on a formal, paid basis? Are they using this sort of scheme purely as cheap labour? If so, it is a bit dodgy. But then again when you're on benefits and you're threatened with them being stopped you become powerless and it is a bit disheartening when you need the complete opposite.

Of course there's also the argument that people should prove they're deserving of their benefits, i.e they should prove they want to work and aren't happy to sit on their backsides all day.

Of course there's also the argument that people should prove they're deserving of their benefits, i.e they should prove they want to work and aren't happy to sit on their backsides all day.

That's what future employers want to see, someone who has made a real effort, not just turned up at the job centre every 2 weeks to sign on.

Nickv1.0

I have asked manager about the opportunitys of getting set on full time and dont remain optimistic. I wouldnt call it slave labout but it is very very hard work. Am carrying extremely heavy couches, desks, TV's up two flights of stairs, Being asked to do one job then another then another etc ... Its crazy!

Nickv1.0

Am also thinking maybe I shouldnt have showed so much entuthiasm at the start and willing to learn because Ive done that they are having me doing allsorts whereas others that have basically turned up just cos they have to dont ask to do hardly anything

marybelle01

Nickv1.0 wrote: »

Am also thinking maybe I shouldnt have showed so much entuthiasm at the start and willing to learn because Ive done that they are having me doing allsorts whereas others that have basically turned up just cos they have to dont ask to do hardly anything

It's hard work yes - but you are enjoying it! It's a reference! And you might want to take the name of the place out of your post because I know exactly where you are, and so does the charity shop!!! It's only a few weeks though, so I would suggest that if, overall, it works for you, then good on you and whilst I doubt it would lead directly to a job, you never know what might turn up now. Just in a few lines you've shown yourself to be keen, hard-working and willing to give things a shot - that says a lot in your favour. Yours is the attitude that will land a job - you now just need that break...

KevInChester

I don't think many are against working for charities. What I am against 100% is working for companies such as Poundland for benefits. If a job needs doing they should pay the minimum wage.... and don't get me started on the Apprenticeships they have nowadays.

Nickv1.0

marybelle01 wrote: »

It's hard work yes - but you are enjoying it! It's a reference! And you might want to take the name of the place out of your post because I know exactly where you are, and so does the charity shop!!! It's only a few weeks though, so I would suggest that if, overall, it works for you, then good on you and whilst I doubt it would lead directly to a job, you never know what might turn up now. Just in a few lines you've shown yourself to be keen, hard-working and willing to give things a shot - that says a lot in your favour. Yours is the attitude that will land a job - you now just need that break...

Thats the thing im doing it for a good reference and to get back in the routine of getting out of bed with a purpose, going home knackered etc, thing that annoys me is the Job Centres demands on me applying for jobs regardles whether I was doing this work or not. If I had a guarentee of a possible job at the end of it id bust my gut like I have been doing so far, But part of me feels like Im doing like some of the staff there 'Community Service'

marybelle01

Nickv1.0 wrote: »

But part of me feels like Im doing like some of the staff there 'Community Service'

I appreciate that feeling, and you are, sort of. But remember that lots of people do this sort of thing voluntarily as well as work - "community service" has had a bad press attached to it because of offenders schemes. Personally I don't think making reparation for the harm you have done should be called "community service" - community service is a positive thing and something you and everyone else should be able to be proud of doing, not feeling like it's a second rate offenders scheme. You may have been forced into doing this, but what matters is you aren't acting like it! Remember that this four weeks work is raising funds which saves lives, maybe even yours one day! Maybe that will give you a different perspective and inspire you to carry on doing something worthwhile with your time (albeit perhaps lighter work and less hours) after this has finished - or even a day at the shop if you like them. It'll still give you that boost you need to get up and know that today, at least, you have something worthwhile to do.

claire16c

Nickv1.0 wrote: »

Am also thinking maybe I shouldnt have showed so much entuthiasm at the start and willing to learn because Ive done that they are having me doing allsorts whereas others that have basically turned up just cos they have to dont ask to do hardly anything

But at the end of the 4 weeks if there was 1 job going who would they offer it to? And I bet your day goes a lot faster than the ones doing nothing.

If theyre giving you stuff to do they clearly see you are a good worker. So at the minimum youll get a great reference.

thisjobhurts

Is this actual 'work', or work search - i had something called similar, in a previous claim - had to detail 4 weeks worth of job search activities (morning / afternoon / evening)..

I was 'signed off' JSA for the month, then straight back on- the jobclub said up front that they wouldnt be checking our lists.. think it may be something to do with them being on last knickings of contracy with DWP, and had to show some effort being made!