work focused interview

Confuseddot

Hi,

I just received a letter in this morning for a wfi next week. Does anyone know if I can request a female job centre worker ?

what can I be forced to sign up for at this interview ?

thanks

rogerblack

The answer will depend why you're doing a WFI - IS/ESA/JSA.
In general - yes, you can request a female advisor, however they are not compelled to provide one, and if they do not agree to your request, and you do not participate, your benefit may be sanctioned at least until you do comply, or you win an appeal.

Ask early, and explain in detail why.

kingfisherblue

Confuseddot wrote: »

Hi,

I just received a letter in this morning for a wfi next week. Does anyone know if I can request a female job centre worker ?

what can I be forced to sign up for at this interview ?

thanks

I would imagine that you can ask for a female, but whether you can be accommodated may be another matter. The appointment may have to be rescheduled if the current one is with a male. WFIs in my local Job Centre take place in a public room, with two long rows of desks placed slightly apart, so there are plenty of women in the room (in case you are nervous of being alone with a male worker for any reason- you won't be).

I've had several WFIs over the last few years, and I have never been forced to sign up for anything. I'm a carer for my disabled son, and I'm always asked if my circumstances are the same. They ask whether I'm still volunteering, and when I was studying, they checked each time that I was still attending university and how long my course would last. I was also asked whether the course was full time or part time, probably because full time students cannot receive Carer's Allowance. Mind you, it was a struggle studying part time - I would never have managed full time!

Some interviewers ask about my caring responsibilities, more along the lines of a chat really, as they only ever type 'KFB is still caring for her son and meets the criteria for CA'.

They then ask if I am looking to return to work in the near future, or if they can help me with anything.

It isn't anything to worry about, in my experience.

Confuseddot

Thanks guysthink I was just getting myself in a state for nothing hopefully.
WFI as I am in the wrag group of esa, bit gutted as I really thought I would have been better by now.

rogerblack

Confuseddot wrote: »

Thanks guysthink I was just getting myself in a state for nothing hopefully.
WFI as I am in the wrag group of esa, bit gutted as I really thought I would have been better by now.

As to what they can't make you do.
They can't make you go for medical treatment.
They can't make you apply for, or do work.
However, you can be placed on an unpaid work placement, for an in principle unlimited amount of time, or required to do courses, or pretty much anything that is considered reasonable.

If you do not believe it's reasonable, then you can request that they change it - but if they do not, if you do not complete the action, you will be sanctioned, and your only recourse is then to contest/appeal that sanction.

osdset

However, you can be placed on an unpaid work placement, for an in principle unlimited amount of time

Totally unfair and discriminatory when JSA claimants on WP have time limited work placements.

ESA claimants under the present set up should not be mandated to the WP because the providers have nothing in place to accommodate them, no facilities, no trained personnel. In fact most providers don't even know the difference between JSA and ESA.

The only reason the government moved the goalposts to include the ESA cohort was because the providers went to them with the begging bowl moaning that they weren't getting referrals, and the potential profit is greater. And that is what it's all about, profit. Not helping people into work or overcoming difficulties, anyone with too many health barriers to work is parked anyway.

rogerblack

osdset wrote: »

ESA claimants under the present set up should not be mandated to the WP because the providers have nothing in place to accommodate them,

I would hesitate to go that far.
While of course some disabled people will not be able to work in the forseeable future in any real job, despite being placed in the work-related group - for some training may be appropriate - and even welcome.

Do the providers have things in place optimally - well - no.
Could they help some - sure.

ArtoDeeto

Why do you want a female worker? You would have to have a reason...