Nightmare bullying from the jobcenter

princessdreamer

I'm a single parent never signed on in my life till now in the nine weeks I've been on jsa I've been paid twice, sanctioned once for a month, lied to bullied and threatened. It's complete madness, I would love to have another job if only to get away from them but the way they are going my health is going to give out first.

Where to start applied for jsa fine first sign on fine, saw single parent adviser who trebled my job search quota and sanctioned me for applying for the wrong type of job and not using online applications enough. Totally unfair since I did more than was required. Not given any info on appeal or hardship funds or anything so left four weeks with no money.

During those four weeks they came up with every day course possible claiming travel expenses would be refunded but they never were.

Next they demanded proof of online searches as their site wasnt working so I took in my tablet computer. Showed my cv and such to a very nasty male adviser. Then he went to supposedly get some paperwork and the world went insane. He came back in while I was playing candy crush yes maybe I shouldn't have been playing it but he took ages and that wasnt the issue. They started going on about how recording staff was illegal, they could get the police and such. To say I was shocked was an understatement, I was in tears asking them why they were doing this begging them to check the device it was awful. I was then told to leave, which I did in shock. A few days later I got a letter from the jobcenter manager no name on letter accusing me of recording them.

Tried to get sense out of jobcenter a few days later and was told if you don't like it you could always sign off.

The next week my child was very ill managed to get childcare for my signing day but not the day after. So I had to take her to the jobcenter with me, got to the jobcenter and told them I Didnt think this was a good idea as child was upset. The lady snapped at me that if I wanted free money then I had to follow the rules, I also requested that she tell the single parent adviser that I was there, she refused saying shed do it after the course. Tried again to explain but she refused. Anyway struggled through the course on no sleep with a sick twisty child, half way though the single parent adviser comes in and tells me off for not informing her I was there. Great. I try to tell her I did and the woman refused, might as well have talked to the wall. So I finally get ou of there feeling relieved its over.

Yesterday my second jsa payment went in so I'm feeling relieved. Today a letter comes through from same nameless source about my behaviour and being a threat to the staff. Please bear in mind I didn't do anything, am barely over 5ft and and had a sick child with me. This letter states they are flagging me up as a risk, keeping notes on me and reporting me to other agencies. Lovely the only thing I did wrong was take a sick child in, so god knows what lies they are telling and to whom. I can only imagine its social services.

So in 9 weeks I've been sanctioned, despite doing what I was asked to do, threatened with the police and external agencies. It's completely crazy. All I want is to get a joband get the hell away from them. A little help finding one would have been nice.

Anyways now I feel ill and scared, I'm not sure whether this is just a bullying tactic or they are actually doing really twisted things to get me to sign off, which tbh after this I would if I could but having kids and a mortgage I simply can't. Just the thought of going back into the jobcenter has me shaking and in tears. God knows what I would have done if I hadn't got the kids they make me feel so worthless and afraid.

People keep saying go to citizens advice but its my word against theirs and I can't afford another sanction they will unfairly impose or god knows what else. I'm seriously scared of what lie they will make up next.

Nightranger

princessdreamer wrote: »

He came back in while I was playing candy crush yes maybe I shouldn't have been playing it but he took ages and that wasnt the issue. They started going on about how recording staff was illegal, they could get the police and such. To say I was shocked was an understatement, I was in tears asking them why they were doing this begging them to check the device it was awful. I was then told to leave, which I did in shock. A few days later I got a letter from the jobcenter manager no name on letter accusing me of recording them.

I am sorry to read about your problems but you gave them all they needed to kick off on this occasion. My local JC office has big signs on every door telling peopleto turn all mobile phones off on entry. True, I usually forget but then again no one ever rings me but I am still running the risk. In this case, they could have called the police but it probably would not have got them the result they expected once you showed the police your phone. Nevertheless, dealing with JC staff is much the same as dealing with the police to the point that it often does not pay to give them an excuse to be awkward with you. Play it cool if you can because you may need to remember what was actually said and getting flustered, angry or distressed will stop you doing so.

princessdreamer

I know it's just so hard feel like them demanding proof of online activity was a set up.

McKneff

Unfortunately, if you want money from the public purse, yu have to do exactly as they say to get it

Hope you find a job soon.

prowla

Is it illegal (and a police matter) to have a mobile phone on in the JC?

iammumtoone

I often play games on my mobile whilst waiting in the waiting area, most times the advisor is running late in seeing me and it passes the time, I would not dream however of starting to play games on it in the middle of an appointment :eek:

OP treat any interview at the JC as you would a job interview. Be polite answer all the questions with a positive even if you are unable to do whats asked put a positive spin on it (as you would in a job interview) or calmly explain why you can't and give a valid reason.

I do feel for you, you have started off on the wrong foot and been treated baldly. How can you apply for the wrong type of jobs? a job is a job! I even get told to apply for jobs I am not qualified as you never know (I can see their point in that). What does it matter how you apply online or offline as long as you do apply. If there is a choice to apply on or offline I always chose offline as I believe it shows you have put more effort into it (now thinking of changing this - I don't want to be sanctioned for it )

All I can suggest is you write to your MP outlining the points as you have in your OP. That seems to be the only way of making a complaint against the JC.

ILW

If you were at a job interview and the interviewer was called away, would you start playing Candy Crush?

BurnleyBob

prowla wrote: »

Is it illegal (and a police matter) to have a mobile phone on in the JC?

No, it isn't. Nor is filming them overtly or covertly illegal.

This is an accurate rebuttal of claims made by another poster about this subject. http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.php?p=61744283&postcount=38

mandragora_2

Freedom of information request on exactly this issue earlier this year - details here,
https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/recording_an_interview_with_a_be


and DWP response here -

https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/151311/response/368313/attach/html/3/Response%20924.pdf.pdf.html

princessdreamer

ILW wrote: »

If you were at a job interview and the interviewer was called away, would you start playing Candy Crush?

No I wouldn't but you are kind of missing the point.

TrickyWicky

prowla wrote: »

Is it illegal (and a police matter) to have a mobile phone on in the JC?

No it isn't and it's also not illegal to record them either. Unfortunately the DWP think they are above the law and can invent it. Had the op asked them to specify what law, section, paragraph etc, they'd have been stumped.

This IS bullying from the JC and it's certainly no reason for them to refuse payment.

Moons ago Ann Summers took them to court because they refused their job adverts for a tea lady. AS won but the JC still refused their adverts despite a court judgement saying they could not refuse.

Bottom line: People in positions of authority think they can do whatever they like and get away with it.