After the Work Programme

stix62

lakes17 wrote: »

Well done I'm really pleased for you. What sort of work is it and how long have you been out of work, if you don't mind me asking?

Thanks

The job was described as 'product and data processor' and the work involves taking delivery of and processing RMA'd merchandise. It will be completely new to me but sounds quite fun

Officially, I've only been out of work since last Nov, unofficially it was last september.
That doesn't sound too bad but over the past 14 years I've only been in paid employment for 11 months!! (note, a majority of that time was single dad parenting followed by a few years volunteering: gaining some qualifications, good references and most importantly, recent(ish..now) experience)

sensibleadvice

melysion wrote: »

Hmm. I agree with you but only to a point. Not all jobs suit every person. I know from experience that I'll be bloody awful working in a burger joint (I worked in McDonald's for ... well let's just say we had a parting of the ways within 2 weeks) and there's no way in God's green earth I'd do that again for no other reason than I'd be rubbish and find myself out on my ear again in no time flat!

However. I'd have a go at pretty much anything else - I've done cleaning in a factory, working in a canteen and I've also worked in a bookstore. I've never done basic office administration type work but I can't imagine that being too difficult. It is best to be flexible - grab any job you can and then concentrate your efforts on the one you actually want long term.

Hence it is important to be open to almost anything until you are actually employed.

I don't doubt that many jobs won't suit many people. But when someone's been unemployed long term and there's an option to work they simply shouldn't be able to decline on the basis they don't like it or aren't suited. Beggars can't be choosers.

That aside there's plenty of posters saying they can't find work when they're unemployed so simply being able to say they're employed opens up more options.

I've done some crap jobs, low paid jobs, shift work etc but in all of those I've always looked to progress and done so. Work hard, show initiative and it's relatively easy to progress because most employers value those qualities.

If you were LT unemployed and had the choice between taking a McD job, facing sanction or lying to get out of applying for the job what would you do?

It beggars belief that someone can exclude themselves from all office jobs. There's no good reason for that, though they'll probably be along to comment I don't know their circumstances and how they can't possibly apply for x,y,z office jobs because they don't have the skills. Which may be true but they conveniently for get they can apply for office jobs a,b,c which they could do.

There's too much of the attitude from LT unemployed thinking they can pick and choose. What they fail to see is choices are earned from within work, not whilst others are funding their handouts.

Chester666666

A benefit isn't a handout

lakes17

stix62 wrote: »

Thanks

The job was described as 'product and data processor' and the work involves taking delivery of and processing RMA'd merchandise. It will be completely new to me but sounds quite fun

Officially, I've only been out of work since last Nov, unofficially it was last september.
That doesn't sound too bad but over the past 14 years I've only been in paid employment for 11 months!! (note, a majority of that time was single dad parenting followed by a few years volunteering: gaining some qualifications, good references and most importantly, recent(ish..now) experience)

Your post has given me a lot of hope, as until I read it I was feeling really down as just received another rejection without getting to the interview stage by Asda (I can't even pass the questionnaire for them, Tesco, Boots, even as a shelf stacker!!) Looking at a couple of your posts I know I am a similar age to you (I'm 56) and thought I was doomed due to my age. I have been out of work for 13 months due to redundancy after working for the same Company for 25 years. I was becoming concerned about the gap on my C.V. so have signed on for a Customer Service level 2 course as the majority of jobs seem to specify this as essential. I have also applied to CAB to volunteer in 1 of their offices and have also contacted Shelter to try and get some retail experience. Good luck with your new role on Monday.

Podge52

sensibleadvice wrote: »

I've done some crap jobs, low paid jobs, shift work etc but in all of those I've always looked to progress and done so. Work hard, show initiative and it's relatively easy to progress because most employers value those qualities.

But that's you. Not everybody is like you, in fact all those you worked with were not like you, other wise they would have risen through the ranks.


There's too much of the attitude from LT unemployed thinking they can pick and choose. What they fail to see is choices are earned from within work, not whilst others are funding their handouts.

The reality is that they can and they do, and that's what sticks in your craw.

Smilies for content :wall::wall::wall::wall:

stix62

lakes17 wrote: »

Your post has given me a lot of hope, as until I read it I was feeling really down as just received another rejection without getting to the interview stage by Asda (I can't even pass the questionnaire for them, Tesco, Boots, even as a shelf stacker!!) Looking at a couple of your posts I know I am a similar age to you (I'm 56) and thought I was doomed due to my age. I have been out of work for 13 months due to redundancy after working for the same Company for 25 years. I was becoming concerned about the gap on my C.V. so have signed on for a Customer Service level 2 course as the majority of jobs seem to specify this as essential. I have also applied to CAB to volunteer in 1 of their offices and have also contacted Shelter to try and get some retail experience. Good luck with your new role on Monday.

It's funny, I passed an HMRC test/questionaire for admin officer, got to interview stage, offer of job and I couldn't pass the Asda test either


edit: When I started volunteering I'd been out of work about 8 years and started as an admin volunteer at the local volunteer centre. I initially went along just to get some up to date references to put on my CV. I'd never done admin before (or any office work) but I reckoned I was pretty hot on a pc and would enjoy it 18 months later I had NVQ levels 2 and 3 in business admin and when the funding came through I applied for, and still feel very lucky to have got, a paid role as Volunteer Coordinator.

Podge52

stix62 wrote: »

Well, my 2 years with WP is due end of April/May (I think) and hopefully I will never be speaking to them again. I had an interview this morning - start work on monday :D:D

I've just phoned up to sign off and refused to tell JCP who my new employer was. The girl on the other end of the line said she needs to 'put something down' so I gave her a host of reasons why I wasn't going to tell her - because of the WP and the way they operate. She didn't know they needed an employers info to make a claim and was quite happy to write 'prefers not to say'


sidenote: I last saw WP 4 weeks ago. When I left my advisor said she'd ring me next week and book our next appointment. I've not heard a thing since.

I'm really pleased for you. I hope it goes well.

sensibleadvice

Podge52 wrote: »

But that's you. Not everybody is like you, in fact all those you worked with were not like you, other wise they would have risen through the ranks.


The reality is that they can and they do, and that's what sticks in your craw.

for content :wall::wall::wall::wall:

That's true. In which case why shouldn't they apply for jobs they can do and accept their lot.

The reality is they're in no position to expect handouts for their non efforts. What might stick in their craw is the fact that they're having to do more and more what with all these WP, training, extra signing etc. Hopefully they'll soon be on community work too. Eventually they might think it's better and easier to just work but perhaps by then they might have burnt all their bridges with bad attitude and be stuck on a community support treadmill of their own making.

Podge52

sensibleadvice wrote: »

That's true. In which case why s7houldn't they apply for jobs they can do and accept their lot.
There's only you saying they are not.
The reality is they're in no position to expect handouts for their non efforts. What might stick in their craw is the fact that they're having to do more and more what with all these WP, training, extra signing etc. Hopefully they'll soon be on community work too.
Exactly but it's their choice, not yours.

Just to be clear; I'm talking about LT unemployed who have no intention of working, not the posters in this thread.

I could be wrong and there could be someone like that amongst us, although I seriously doubt it.

melysion

sensibleadvice wrote: »

I don't doubt that many jobs won't suit many people. But when someone's been unemployed long term and there's an option to work they simply shouldn't be able to decline on the basis they don't like it or aren't suited. Beggars can't be choosers..

I don't think anyone should be able to turn down something because they don't like it for sure. But I'd be sacked from a fast food place in two seconds again (i was so rubbish - ahem) and then not have any benefits anyway. I am right in thinking you can't claim for so long if you are actually sacked yes?

It's all very well saying beggars can't be choosers and the LT unemployed being forced to take pretty much anything but SOME common sense has to be employed.

Thankfully, these days I'd be considered too old and overqualified for McDonald's. Lol