Nightmare bullying from the jobcenter

keyser666

Nightranger wrote: »

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.

Called the police for what?

Nightranger

keyser666 wrote: »

Called the police for what?

Erm! No offence intended but try reading the OP.

ILW

TrickyWicky wrote: »

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.

Why would legality be an issue? Surely any organisation can lay down the rules of what is and isn't permitted on their own premises.

datlex

A few years back I had to sign on. I found them to be helpful, especially if you came across as enthusiastic. Don't just use them as a place to prove you've been looking for work, use them as a tool to help you look for work. I found printing out a job or two even if only a small chance I'd have got it from the machines was seen as positive.

krok

datlex wrote: »

A few years back I had to sign on. I found them to be helpful, especially if you came across as enthusiastic. Don't just use them as a place to prove you've been looking for work, use them as a tool to help you look for work. I found printing out a job or two even if only a small chance I'd have got it from the machines was seen as positive.

Im afraid their attitudes have changed now.

They are not their to find you work, and that is their words not mine.

Their only job is to get as many people off benefits as they can by sanctions.

Nightranger

datlex wrote: »

A few years back I had to sign on. I found them to be helpful, especially if you came across as enthusiastic. Don't just use them as a place to prove you've been looking for work, use them as a tool to help you look for work. I found printing out a job or two even if only a small chance I'd have got it from the machines was seen as positive.

Unfortunately, the system has changed and the job points only reflect what is on UJM. The job search system they had has never been brilliant but it beggars belief that they now use something that is inferior to what went before. There was always a problem sifting through the phantom jobs advertised by agencies but UJM is full of third party adverts these days. I am not sure how they do it but they sometimes even manage to get their ads out ahead of the official job ad. Here is the punchline...a few weeks ago a local employer was forced to put out an official ad a day after a job had been advertised by third parties and the ad said...NO AGENCIES.

I have to say that despite one rogue adviser, the staff are not too bad in my JC but that is not the same as saying they are helpful, sadly.

duchy

I think you should be sending your MP a copy of your OP

New_and_Improved_Me

Lets just close down all the job centres and see how they like it...:)

seven-day-weekend

I agree with the people who say treat the JC appointment as an interview, i.e turn up on time, be well-dressed and polite, answer all questions truthfully and above all don't take children or play Candy Crush Saga!

I do not believe that they sanction you unless you have given them a reason to do so.

krok

seven-day-weekend wrote: »

I agree with the people who say treat the JC appointment as an interview, i.e turn up on time, be well-dressed and polite, answer all questions truthfully and above all don't take children or play Candy Crush Saga!

I do not believe that they sanction you unless you have given them a reason to do so.

You must be living in a different world from me then.

All the figures are here. http://dpac.uk.net/2013/06/jsa-benefit-sanctions-sky-rocket-under-coalition/