Trying to mitigate the work program! Help!

Mrcrimbo

Hi all.

I'm currently on JSA, and have been slapped onto the work program. I'm trying to find out about what exemptions there are to being forced on to it.

Get a job? Yeah, very funny but I saw that one is coming. I'm not going to bore you with my circumstances but you'll have to believe me when I say that I've sent off untold amounts of applications, had loads of interviews etc. And, I am still trying of course.

Now this work program crap is only going to further zap what little energy and determination I have left to fight on. Plus, if I'm being forced into poundland or mcdonalds thats going to decimate my self esteem entirely.

So, now we're past that, atleast I can safely say that I had at the enrollment stage refused all non-mandatory forms (permission to provide personal data to third party in particular)

But despite this they still clearly have me by the bawls. Theyre already going to be sending me off to one of their 'mandatory' gulag courses, where I get to move 20 tonne piles of cobbles uphills with my bare hands every day for aslong it takes, come rain or shine.

At this point, I've got some ideas. First one is to try and find some sort of 'voluntary' work, anything, even cleaning the toilets in a care home, if this is allowed? Any idea what the critera are for this to be allowed as an excemption to the work program? Or, who and how I need to prove all this to without getting sanctioned.

Next. Sign off entirely. I know every forum as it's fair share of synical trolls who would be delighted to know that there is one less miserable leeching parasite sucking away the blood of the economy, but that's down to their own lamentable ignorance.

But anyway, how long would I need to sign off to 'start again' my claim, what I mean is resetting the time I have before I'm forced back on to the work program again?

So yeah, any links or info setting out the rules of the work program or whatever would be an even bigger plus. I've had a quick scoot on the useless DwP website but found only PR !!!!!! about the WP

Thanks to all genuinely sympathetic and helpful suggestions.

marybelle01

Mrcrimbo wrote: »

Hi all.

I'm currently on JSA, and have been slapped onto the work program. I'm trying to find out about what exemptions there are to being forced on to it.

Get a job? Yeah, very funny but I saw that one is coming. I'm not going to bore you with my circumstances but you'll have to believe me when I say that I've sent off untold amounts of applications, had loads of interviews etc. And, I am still trying of course.

Now this work program crap is only going to further zap what little energy and determination I have left to fight on. Plus, if I'm being forced into poundland or mcdonalds thats going to decimate my self esteem entirely.

So, now we're past that, atleast I can safely say that I had at the enrollment stage refused all non-mandatory forms (permission to provide personal data to third party in particular)

But despite this they still clearly have me by the bawls. Theyre already going to be sending me off to one of their 'mandatory' gulag courses, where I get to move 20 tonne piles of cobbles uphills with my bare hands every day for aslong it takes, come rain or shine.

At this point, I've got some ideas. First one is to try and find some sort of 'voluntary' work, anything, even cleaning the toilets in a care home, if this is allowed? Any idea what the critera are for this to be allowed as an excemption to the work program? Or, who and how I need to prove all this to without getting sanctioned.

Next. Sign off entirely. I know every forum as it's fair share of synical trolls who would be delighted to know that there is one less miserable leeching parasite sucking away the blood of the economy, but that's down to their own lamentable ignorance.

But anyway, how long would I need to sign off to 'start again' my claim, what I mean is resetting the time I have before I'm forced back on to the work program again?

So yeah, any links or info setting out the rules of the work program or whatever would be an even bigger plus. I've had a quick scoot on the useless DwP website but found only PR !!!!!! about the WP

Thanks to all genuinely sympathetic and helpful suggestions.

This cynic believes that you can be recalled straight onto the work programme if you reclaim within two years, and two years from now it will probably be moot as whatever is there will probably be worse.

No, voluntary work does not get you an exemption - and if your only reason for volunteering is to avoid the work programme, then I wouldn't think voluntary work is really for you since you clearly don't see it as of any benefit to you or else you would already be doing it.

No option for it. You will have to get a job.

hugoshavez

Mrcrimbo wrote: »

Hi all.

Theyre already going to be sending me off to one of their 'mandatory' gulag courses, where I get to move 20 tonne piles of cobbles uphills with my bare hands every day for aslong it takes, come rain or shine.

...

Thanks to all genuinely sympathetic and helpful suggestions.

Gloves, perhaps?

Uncertain

marybelle01 wrote: »

No, voluntary work does not get you an exemption - and if your only reason for volunteering is to avoid the work programme, then I wouldn't think voluntary work is really for you since you clearly don't see it as of any benefit to you or else you would already be doing it.

Indeed.

Was there not a very well publicised case recently where a graduate was doing useful voluntary for a museum whilst trying hard to find employment in that field (for which she was well qualified). If I remember correctly she was forced to work in Poundland as part of this work program. Did she not take this to court and lose?

OP, that is not a comment on the rights and wrongs of this, just a statement of fact.

Druagh

Whether you are referred by the Jobcentre or your WP provider, Mandatory Work Activity or Work Experience placements take priority over any voluntary work you may be doing.

Had you been doing voluntary work in the period before your Work Programme referral, therefore gaining some recent work experience and a reference, it is quite possible that your provider may not have thought MWA/WE was appropriate for you. However, you seem to have missed that boat.

As has been said, if you sign off now and reclaim JSA within two years, you will be re-referred to WP from day 1. Since most MWA placements last no more than 4 weeks, it seems extreme to sign off for two years in order to avoid a months work!

There are a number of organisations protesting some of the placements made through the WP. I would suggest you contact one of these, if you really object to the nature of your placement. Or just do it and get it over with...

Mrcrimbo

marybelle01 wrote: »

No option for it. You will have to get a job.

Oh now now, hint hint. Let me guess, you're offering me a job!!!

Or...maybe not. Sorry for a moment I got carried away and thought I was speaking to my job centre advisor..

Anyway....if I'm working 16 hours or less a week, AND still looking for full time work, does that exclude me from the WP? (Oh and what constitutes as proof that I actually am, working?)

Cheers

justjohn

Maybe if you put as much effort into looking for work , rather than trying to get out of WP. You may find some employement.

Do the WP, it will get you outa the house.

if you get a job in mcdonalds you will get a free feed lol

Maybe you should also work on your self asteem if its such a big deal working in mucky donalds or poundland.

BTW i do not agree with the WP. It lines the pockets of the rich and there is no need for that.

DCFC79

justjohn wrote: »

Maybe if you put as much effort into looking for work , rather than trying to get out of WP. You may find some employement.

Do the WP, it will get you outa the house.

if you get a job in mcdonalds you will get a free feed lol

I have to agree with the comment in bold, your putting alot into trying to get out of the WP so why not channel that extra energy into job searching, look further afield for work in terms of location and industry.

Nothing wrong with working in mcdonalds or at poundland, needs must and all.
I accept working in macc d's isnt an ideal job but at least you would get paid and get fed for free.

ILW

If find that attitude rather insulting to all the people that do work in McD and Poundland, and have tax taken off them. Some of which is handed over to people like the OP as benefits.

Takeaway_Addict

ILW wrote: »

If find that attitude rather insulting to all the people that do work in McD and Poundland, and have tax taken off them. Some of which is handed over to people like the OP as benefits.

I agree, nothing wrong in working in Mcdonalds and Poundland.

Shame on the OP for thinking there is!

Annisele

Sometimes I feel as though I must be the only person in the whole world who actually enjoyed working at McDonalds. Granted I wouldn't have wanted to do it forever - and I only did it at the time because it was the only job I could find - but I genuinely did enjoy it.

And I know this is a cliche, but the people who enjoy the work and stay there really do get promoted into management. Maccy Ds does have a career path for the people that want it.