Is Mandatory Work Activity a one-off?

JC1440

I've been sentenced to this and just wondered if I will have to do it again at some point? I have to do the usual thirty hours over four weeks.

I also just wanted to ask, is there any other surprises they can inflict upon me if I continue on JSA without finding a job? Thanks, very much.

DomRavioli

They can ask you to complete other MWA, as this is a condition of your benefit, as well as any other tasks they see fit, including training and work; it is down to the advisor and their manager to find you an adequate way to get back to work.

And you are not being sentenced to anything. If you want your JSA money, you comply with the system. If you don't like it, then sign off and live on fresh air instead of doing less than a months work.

JC1440

Thanks for replying. I suppose the main thing I wanted to know is if they were going to take advantage of me for a second time with this Mandatory Work nonsense, and if so, I'll ring my old boss I used to volunteer for and do a couple of hours a week there again, as they can't punish you with Mandatory Work if you're already volunteering.

Dunroamin

Easy way to avoid it - get a job!

kerry3280

JC1440 wrote: »

Thanks for replying. I suppose the main thing I wanted to know is if they were going to take advantage of me for a second time with this Mandatory Work nonsense, and if so, I'll ring my old boss I used to volunteer for and do a couple of hours a week there again, as they can't punish you with Mandatory Work if you're already volunteering.

Sorry?? Taking advantage of you? How are they doing that exactly?

busy_mom_2

JC1440 wrote: »

Thanks for replying. I suppose the main thing I wanted to know is if they were going to take advantage of me for a second time with this Mandatory Work nonsense, and if so, I'll ring my old boss I used to volunteer for and do a couple of hours a week there again, as they can't punish you with Mandatory Work if you're already volunteering.

They can direct you to take any reasonable action if it will improve your employment prospects. You choose if you want to claim JSA and take part in the steps to improve your employment prospects
As for voluntary work, it has to be for a registered charity or non profit making orgainisation or notional earning can be deducted from your benefit. You cannot also refuse activities if you are taking part in voluntary work, they may sanction your benefit if you do.So in other words if your doing voluntary work you will still be expected to attend any courses or jobsearch activities and if you do not attend and state the reason as voluntary work you will still be sanctioned or 'punished' with MWA

dealer_wins

Obvoius 12 year old troll, ignore and the child will go away!!

DomRavioli

Oh and FYI OP, they can still get you doing both MWA and training if you volunteer - if you refuse they can sanction you.

soolin

Just as an aside, my son did mandatory work experience in a charity shop and thoroughly enjoyed it. In fact while he was working there he was offered 2 part time jobs by employers that came into the shop as customers.

He is now working several hours a week for one of them and has come off JSA and still manages to volunteer at the charity shop in his spare time.

He found it rewarding, not a punishment and it demonstrated to others that he was able to work and could be an excellent paid employee elsewhere.

osdset

Where a claimant has not contributed much in the way of NI toward benefits, a referral to workfare could be regarded as a fair trade for JSA.

However the unfortunate person scrap-heaped after a lifetime of work and contributions might well feel that enforced labour for something they have PAID for under the umbrella of an insurance policy designed to provide a safety net in times of need. Was not only unfair, but downright insulting.