Told to lie by jobcentre person

fedupfreddie

I don't drive and rely on buses to get into the nearest town. The last bus leaves at 18.45 so I have not been applying for jobs where you are expected to work later than that.
So today I signed on and was told that I should say I am available to work any hours they want.
Once I have the job tell them I have no transport and cannot work the hours required, then hope they like me enough to keep me on regardless.

As far as I can see that would result in instant dismissal and probably a sanction of jsa for getting the sack.
On the other hand can they sanction me for refusing to lie about transport problems?

antrobus

If I were you I'd consider lying to the jobcentre about lying to a prospective employer. If you see what I mean.

PasturesNew

I'd lie to the jobcentre person, then be open at interview about the last bus time but still say you're happy to do any hours where your transport home is assured.... and you just won't be picked. So everybody's happy.

How far is this "two buses" route?

fedupfreddie

I don't mention transport until asked if I can work shifts or evenings.
That is when I should lie according to the signing officer.
It is 6 miles to town, I can't walk that far due to arthritis and cannot see well enough to drive.
It worries me that if I say to her that I have lied she can put me up for a sanction for lying.

aliasojo

PasturesNew wrote: »

I'd lie to the jobcentre person.....

Hell no, I wouldn't. I'd be complaining as loudly as as forcibly about this 'professional' advice as I possibly could.

I'd make sure the world and his brother knew exactly how one of the Government agencies 'fulfilled' their job requirement of helping people back into work.

What happens if you lie to future employer, then have to tell the truth and end up sacked because you cannot fulfil the role required?

Will the Jobcentre staff be standing there waiting to welcome you back with a sanction because you got sacked or couldn't keep your job?

Dunroamin

I don't think it's bad advice, when you start you might well find that you can arrange lifts with someone or come up with some alternative.

fedupfreddie

aliasojo wrote: »

Hell no, I wouldn't. I'd be complaining as loudly as as forcibly about this 'professional' advice as I possibly could.

I'd make sure the world and his brother knew exactly how one of the Government agencies 'fulfilled' their job requirement of helping people back into work.

What happens if you lie to future employer, then have to tell the truth and end up sacked because you cannot fulfil the role required?

Will the Jobcentre staff be standing there waiting to welcome you back with a sanction because you got sacked or couldn't keep your job?

Exactly what I am concerned about.

epm-84

At a company where I worked two people applied for a full time job and then at the interview stage they both said they are only looking for part time work. The company saw them as wasting their time and weren't interested in even keeping their details on record.

I think the best thing to do in this instance is to say you can work up until say 18:30 as you'd rely on public transport due to arthritis (it would be illegal for the company to discriminate against you because of that as long as you are capable of doing the work.) However, I would add that you would be happy to work later on occasions if needed and the company were willing to provide a taxi or lift for you to get home.

aliasojo

Dunroamin wrote: »

I don't think it's bad advice......

I'm surprised that you of all people advocate/condone such bare faced lying.

I'd be well annoyed if I was the employer.

Prothet_of_Doom

Technically then, you CAN work anytime, any shift. If the job paid enough, you could get a taxi. If the job didn't pay enough you could advertise on social media, or put an advert in the local paper or shop window, asking for a lift share. How many people in your village, travel to work in that town, and use a car. How many of them have you asked if they'd lift share, for a contribution to the petrol. Have you put a leaflet in every letter box? If there's a need maybe there are other people in your village that might use such a service. Maybe if a few people with cars come forward, you might make your village more 'green'
If you put a leaflet through my door, I'd attempt to help out.

So it would be a lie to say you could not work evenings. I would say that it's something to discuss in interview, whether you could start on a shortened day shift whilst you try to find a reliable lift.

Rather than make quite reasonable excuses about why you can't do something, try and think about how you could make those excuses go away.

I'd get the job centre person to make a note in your file about what you intend to do in order to obtain transport to allow you to be more flexible on hours.

jacques_chirac

Dunroamin wrote: »

I don't think it's bad advice, when you start you might well find that you can arrange lifts with someone or come up with some alternative.

Thinking outside the box

fedupfreddie, do you know anyone that already works there? If so could you ask how flexible they are on hours (there may be someone that wants to swap shifts?), and/ or if there is anyone that might live near you? Alternatively, if they like you enough they might be able to find another role for you, even if it is not available immediately? It is not unusual to go for one job and be offered another.