Universal Job Match at http://jobseekers.direct.gov.uk

keyser666

http://www.donotsign.com/

jen007

So, JC advisor tried to talk me into changing my privacy details so she could view my activity. I'm still thinking about it. I like the thought of being able to type my diary in and not have to take the paper one with me each signing on day. (which was her arguement for the pro's of having access to my account)

I didn't get sanctioned too for being unable to use the silly system.

CS007

Excellent info from Al_chemist earlier here:
http : // forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.php?t=4285701&page=17

REMOVE the spaces around the : & // to make the link work..

Hopefully simple statement to draw a line under all the concern re cookies, privacy etc:

- if you login to the Jobseeker engine, then browse vacancies etc, the engine can keep a record of that activity which could be made visible to the JCP staff; IRRESPECTIVE of cookie settings.

- there are different types of cookie; think of it simply in terms of a range from 'benign cookies' that save some compute effort (=time) for the Jobseeker engine when you login; to 'potentially unethical' cookies that enable the Jobseeker engine to know a lot more about what your PC has been doing (just like Google, Yahoo, LinkedIn etc ...they know which pages you visited prior to a search, and what you looked at later).

IF you want to make it 'really hard' for the JCP staff to know what is happening on your PC, use a 'browser obfuscator' like Tor (may require some technical expertise); but this does not change the amount of data they can collect about your activity browsing the Jobseeker engine WHEN YOU ARE LOGGED IN.

QUESTION FOR Al_chemist (and maybe csmw):

- you said 'job centre staff can access your 'usage' data (if you have given permission) simply by clicking an icon on their desktop; they do NOT need your login-id or password (so are not infringing the T&C privacy clause).

HOW does the system find that data specific to YOU ? Do you have to supply eg an NI number as part of the registration/use process which can then be matched against your claimant profile that they have open at the consultation ?? (I got a Gateway id just by giving an alias email id & name).

TIA...

john539

jen007 wrote: »

So, JC advisor tried to talk me into changing my privacy details so she could view my activity. I'm still thinking about it. I like the thought of being able to type my diary in and not have to take the paper one with me each signing on day. (which was her arguement for the pro's of having access to my account)

I didn't get sanctioned too for being unable to use the silly system.

You're still going to have to go in to sign-on.

Did she explain all the other things it opens up for her in dealing with you & monitoring you ?

Or did she only tell you part of the story, the classic misleading sales technique ?

weeta_bix

I signed this morning, I have still not signed up to UJM. I was asked if I had sign up, to which I replied no. I was told I would need to sign up. I asked if it was compulsory, the adviser got quite upperty without me saying anything other than that sentence. Told me that it was compulsory and that I could speak to the manager if I wanted to question that. I told them that was quite alright thank you. It did seem very much like if I had pushed the matter further, it would have resulted in a direction or changing my job seekers agreement.

I am still not happy to sign up. I have noticed that they have changed some of the info they initially gave out, so some of my points are no longer valid. However in doing this, they still have not addressed any of my concerns about unknown 3rd parties, website security or transferring data out of the EU.

I will probably play it by ear now, and see what happens when I go next time and haven't signed up. Our local jobcentre seems to be ahead of the curve with people not having to physically sign if they don't want to, this happened months ago (to which I refused), so I guess it might be quite telling what happens here.

fannyadams

Kirito wrote: »

Checked your spam folder? That's most likely where it'll end up.. Fitting place though if you ask me.

I've just checked and as far as I can tell I don't have a spam folder as everything seems to arrive in the inbox for my emither account.
could it be 'headed off at the pass' as in being held online somewhere? it's a gmail account if anyone can help.

john539

weeta_bix wrote: »

I signed this morning, I have still not signed up to UJM. I was asked if I had sign up, to which I replied no. I was told I would need to sign up. I asked if it was compulsory, the adviser got quite upperty without me saying anything other than that sentence. Told me that it was compulsory and that I could speak to the manager if I wanted to question that. I told them that was quite alright thank you. It did seem very much like if I had pushed the matter further, it would have resulted in a direction or changing my job seekers agreement.

I am still not happy to sign up. I have noticed that they have changed some of the info they initially gave out, so some of my points are no longer valid. However in doing this, they still have not addressed any of my concerns about unknown 3rd parties, website security or transferring data out of the EU.

I will probably play it by ear now, and see what happens when I go next time and haven't signed up. Our local jobcentre seems to be ahead of the curve with people not having to physically sign if they don't want to, this happened months ago (to which I refused), so I guess it might be quite telling what happens here.

They need to get people signed-up by hook or by crook. Government policy demands it, you've seen terrible headlines in news this week on failing work programme dismally missing its target.

JC advisors are not used to being questioned & challenged. Your advisor doesn't want to lose face being shown that they are wrong. They have called your bluff by saying you can speak to a manager, which most people would avoid & which offloads responsibility, but that doesn't exactly encourage people to engage with a snooping website.

If they say it's mandatory they should be able to show something in writing that says this.

Rather than confronting & cornering them into awkward situation, maybe just keep telling them you are using website (without registering). Avoid saying you haven't registered as they'll just latch onto that and keep saying you should/must.

out_of_cash

keyser666 wrote: »

Not sure if this has been posted in this thread but seems Taunton JC is saying it is compulsory

“Requiring Jobcentre Plus customers to use the Services
10.7 When the Services are implemented, Jobcentre Plus customers
(including potential jobseekers) will not be mandated to register and create
a profile.”
From: DWP TLMS Schedule 2.1, Authority (Universal Jobmatch)
Requirements http://www.contractsfinder.businesslink.gov.uk
“Q8. Does everyone have to register to search for jobs?
No, but if not, jobseeker’s will not be able to access all the facilities listed "what a joke"
in question 7.”
“Q13. Will claims to benefit be affected by the service?
No, this is a job posting and matching service, which is open to everyone,
not just benefit claimants and is not connected to any claims.”
From: Universal Jobmatch question and answer brief
http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/universal-jobmatch-faqs.pdf (August 2012)
"The first time you login you can set up a profile and authorise us (DWP)
[or not] to view your account and send you messages."
From: Jobcentre leaflet - An overview of Universal Jobmatch for
jobseekers
“It is not compulsory for jobseekers to use UJM”
From: PCS Union, Department for Work and Pensions group
"Site [Universal Jobmatch] security
You are responsible for making sure that your log-in details (your
username and password) are kept secret."
"2.3 You agree not to:
2.3.12 share your login credentials to the site with anyone else"
From: jobsearch.direct.gov.uk and jobvacancies.businesslink.gov.uk

john539

There was something on Channel 4 news about UJM including security & data issues.

AP007

http://www.channel4.com/news/hackers-use-government-jobs-site-to-steal-your-data