ESA work programme - guy was off sick and I wasn't notified

93123

I'm on ESA in the WRAG, I went to my first ever mandatory work programme appointment this morning at 9.30 and she very casually said the guy is off sick and judging by the backlog list I saw... he has been for several days. She then said go on the computer and do a job search and leave when you're done. Should they have notified me before hand?

If you expect me to come to the mandatory appointment then I expect you to have common courtesy and make a 30 second phone call to tell me I'm not needed!!

Muttleythefrog

I'm not even sure they can ask you to perform a job search... can someone confirm this? It sounds like a shoddy operation... I'd be inclined to write letter of complaint and copy in MP. I'd be tempted to up the ante too by saying you were hoping to get proper help to get back into work in the future.. not be treated as an inconvenience unworthy of human interactions. And if that gets no joy.. copy in Iain Duncan Smith MP.

Cpt.Scarlet

ESA claimants are not required to work or to seek work while they receive the benefit even when forwarded to the Work Programme.

They probably thought the OP was on JSA, it's usually the WP suppliers who don't understand the restrictions.

rogerblack

I am unsure that merely performing a job search is seeking work.
Clearly, it's a component of seeking work.

But, performing a web search is not reading the results.

From what I remember, the term is not 'seek work', but 'apply for work', which just doing a job search wouldn't be.

prowla

My guess is that the person was trying to be helpful and suggested that doing the search would satisfy any requirements to be job seeking.

Dunroamin

Muttleythefrog wrote: »

I'm not even sure they can ask you to perform a job search... can someone confirm this? It sounds like a shoddy operation... I'd be inclined to write letter of complaint and copy in MP. I'd be tempted to up the ante too by saying you were hoping to get proper help to get back into work in the future.. not be treated as an inconvenience unworthy of human interactions. And if that gets no joy.. copy in Iain Duncan Smith MP.

That's a total overreaction - better to pick your battles.

pickpocketlocket

Dunroamin wrote: »

That's a total overreaction - better to pick your battles.

I agree - for all the OP knows the advisor might have only called in sick half an hour before, they have no real evidence to suggest he had been off for several days (was "the backlog list" not the appt list for that day?). Yes, it's annoying, but kicking up a fuss over this will only mark the OP out as a troublemaker.

Mara69

Muttleythefrog wrote: »

I'm not even sure they can ask you to perform a job search... can someone confirm this? It sounds like a shoddy operation... I'd be inclined to write letter of complaint and copy in MP. I'd be tempted to up the ante too by saying you were hoping to get proper help to get back into work in the future.. not be treated as an inconvenience unworthy of human interactions. And if that gets no joy.. copy in Iain Duncan Smith MP.

Alternatively, the OP could utilise their time more effectively by actually looking for a job

Honestly, some people just love to moan and complain.

Muttleythefrog

Mara69 wrote: »

Alternatively, the OP could utilise their time more effectively by actually looking for a job

Honestly, some people just love to moan and complain.

It's important that tax payer's money is being properly used. The Op will have to decide for themselves whether to complain... unlikely they actually will I'd guess. Whether the op has any intent to look for and take work I don't know... they obviously have no requirement placed upon them to do so.

I should also add that I have advised people against complaining in some circumstances regarding ESA... particularly when they wanted to complain about treatment at ATOS medicals before first getting their hands on the resulting report that could prove worth leaving unchallenged.

And on your last line... deliberate oxymoron?.. if so... funny.

Muttleythefrog

Dunroamin wrote: »

That's a total overreaction - better to pick your battles.

I agree on the second point (which is why they're unlikely to complain and I specifically refer to me if I were in their position.. it'd be a battle I probably would pick whereas as you'll know I've avoided the ones relating to ATOS because their incompetence keeps me on the benefit thus far).. definitely... but overreaction.. I don't know... if this is typical of what goes on (and I've seen many similar reports and phrases like 'they don't seem to know what to do with me' said) then perhaps people should be made aware.. people who could do something to improve it. There is some risk as pickpocket raises that it could single you out as a troublemaker or the like... but I wouldn't necessarily say that is always a bad thing..lol... I could be very cheeky and suggest it may even help pass the WCA.

rogerblack

challfour wrote: »

Is there a defined list of exactly what these 'Work Providers' can make you do?

I have read on here many different things, and know of one person that was 'forced' into taking up part time voluntary work on a permanent basis for as long as his ESA claim remains valid.

Basically anything that is not:
Applying for work.
Doing (paid) work.
Undergoing medical treatment.

Up to and including permanent compulsory labour. (brought in by the recent welfare reform act)

In principle, this should be only what is appropriate for claimants.
This is problematic, as what is reasonable may be decided by people with no understanding of the medical condition.