Oh dear, in a pickle now!

Furrtiv

Hi guys, well, I have some bad news to report.
I started at my new job on Monday, but only managed two days. The reasons for this are because I'm rubbish and couldn't cope with the twelve-hour shifts and the extremely noisy environment, plus my days, including driving, were totalling fourteen+ hours. I feel like such a failure, I thought I could cope but I cracked, and asked to leave on the morning of the third day before I'd clocked in.
Thankfully, management were okay with this as the first week was a trial week anyway to see if newbies could cope, so basically I'm back to square one and worried sick that I won't be able to claim anything as I voluntarily left a job after such a short period. Also, my partner works full time so I wouldn't be entitled to income-based JSA anyway, and we have no kids so the only other benefit we could possibly get is WTC.
I'm also really worried about signing on; it's five or more miles to the nearest JC, and costs more than a fiver on the bus for a return, or would cost me to drive and park and if I'm going to be out of work for more than a couple of months, I'd like to SORN the car, but public transport is very pricey as we're quite rural. I'm just really concerned that the JC will enforce weekly signings, or even daily ones like I've heard rumours about?! I don't cycle (never learned!) and although I could walk that distance, it would be really hard to do it more than once a week as I'm not fit enough.
Really, I'm applying like mad for jobs, anything that isn't going to be in a noisy/industrial environment, but can JC force me to take anything after a certain period of time? I'm 37, will I be forced onto the work programme?
I was out of work for four months and on contributions-based JSA at that time, my last job, which I loved, I was made redundant from after five months, will I still be entitled to any contributions-based JSA? My partner's income will just about stretch to cover all normal outgoings, but if we do that, we'll be left witrh zero spending money, even after budgeting right down on food and utilities.
Right now I just feel like such a loser because I had to leave a job that would at least have given me work for a couple of months (it was temp), but the environment was awful, I don't think I could face working in a factory ever again but am worried that I may be forced to somehow.
Apologies for the long-winded post, I'm just in bits at the mo!

xylophone

Try freecycle for a free cycle and learn? It would certainly keep you fit!:) Sorry!

But to be serious, I think you might run into sanctions problems as you have voluntarily left employment? This might be worth a read http://www.tuc.org.uk/extras/jsasanctions.pdf

I wonder would the fact that you were on a week's trial make any difference?

Perhaps you should contact the jobcentre by telephone as soon as possible and ask for advice?

Furrtiv

I really do know that I should call the Jobcentre, but pervious poor experiences, and being almost certain I'll get no benefits and no help either (other than NI being paid for me) puts me off.

I can't ride a bike. Believe me, I've tried and tried, I always fall off, hate the damned things. I seem to have a problem learning how to operate vehicles, as it took me over fifty lessons and five tests, from the age of 17 to the age of 26, to learn to drive a car! I don't like the vulnerability of bicycles either.

I'll phone the JC later or on Monday (not feeling very good right now). Thank you for taking the time to reply, I appreciate it.

rogerblack

What's the reason that you can't simply wear appropriate ear protection?

Furrtiv

Because noises are generally too loud for me with ear protection, which includes wearing both earplugs and good quality ear defenders at the same time. And I guess I'm a weirdo because I don't enjoy working to music at all, unless it's classical which, let's face it, a lot of workplaces won't have on. Plus, high-pitched noises seem to go right through me, very piercing even with ear protection.

xylophone

unless it's classical

Use your i-pod with high quality ear phones?

Furrtiv

Don't have an i-pod, they're not allowed in a lot of places I've worked, and I find that, unless the volume's turned up to ear-splitting levels, it doesn't drown out the background noise much so I end up listening to two types of music instead of one.
Anyway, I guess I'll just bite the bullet Monday morning and speak to the JC, doubt I'd get anything anyway. Seriously considering the self-employment route, TBH.

starrystarry

If you were claiming contribution based JSA for 4 months prior to this job, then you've got 2 months max left if you're not entitled to income based JSA.

alsoinhd

awwww diddums! My dad has ALWAYS worked 12 hour shifts since he was 16 now he is 55- his back is messed up - wonder why he just hasn't 'given up'. You should be ashamed of yourself.

morganedge

Do the jobcentre have to know about this job at all? Can't just pretend it never happened and 'sign on' ??
That's kind of what I done years ago when I signed on. I ommited to tell them about my job prior to signing on because I Knew they'd make an issue of it.

marybelle01

morganedge wrote: »

Do the jobcentre have to know about this job at all? Can't just pretend it never happened and 'sign on' ??
That's kind of what I done years ago when I signed on. I ommited to tell them about my job prior to signing on because I Knew they'd make an issue of it.

Absolutely agree. Lie through your teeth. That's the honest thing to do.