What planet are the Job Centre Advisers on?

Morlock

John1993 wrote: »

We have posters complaining that...it's not fair to expect them to turn up on time to their meetings.

Where are these posts?

AP007

auldblerk wrote: »

This (and some of AP007's) statements should be a sticky.
My adviser has been fantastic with me as she can see I have the drive to get back to work ASAP. Nothing on earth is going to stop me applying / looking / begging for a job.

should be a sticky? What does that mean?

szam_

red_devil wrote: »

Please challenge her in a keep calm way this js what i have had to do today. I was asked why i havent got a job and i said dont turn it round on me. I have refused to give access until i am sure. Please dont give in. They are on a powder trip.

I was also asked where my cv was and i said i didnt know i had to bring it. The more people who speak back to them the better it will be for all.

So someone asks you why you haven't got a job, and you tell them not to turn it round on you? Couldn't you just answer the question, i.e. redundant, sacked, just come out of education? And who else would you want them to turn it around on, if you were made redundant, fair enough, but it's not the job centre's fault. Finding, getting and keeping a job is your responsibility, not the job centres.

With that kind of attitude, it's no wonder so many 'horror' stories about being 'mistreated' by JCP staff crop up. They're only doing their job and you don't make it easy for them.

Missme

This is all really interesting if you're not in the middle off it. Cultures don't shift overnight but it seems people expect them to.

So there are the jobless, workshy types - the dregs of society, poncing,scrounging no marks. They don't expect any real help in finding a job as long as their 70 quid is in the bank on time because that's how it's always been. They need a a kick up their collective bums and who better to deliver that than the reportedly jobsworth, going through the motions types who work in the job centre. Bet they've never had to work so hard for their salary.

Then there are the want to work, between jobs types who think the job centre can help them find work. Hmmm computer says, no. OK then, the job centre will treat them with some dignity recognising that they want to work. Hmm, computer still says, no. Frankly, this group is the biggest pain in the bottocks - an absolute scourge. Let's kick them up the bum too for being so demanding.

I have no doubt that the current regime is all about stopping poeple's benefits on the slightest whim. And really, job centre staff are from the same planet as the rest of us. It's just the Stanford Prison Experiment on a national scale.

szam_

Missme wrote: »

This is all really interesting if you're not in the middle off it. Cultures don't shift overnight but it seems people expect them to.

So there are the jobless, workshy types - the dregs of society, poncing,scrounging no marks. They don't expect any real help in finding a job as long as their 70 quid is in the bank on time because that's how it's always been. They need a a kick up their collective bums and who better to deliver that than the reportedly jobsworth, going through the motions types who work in the job centre. Bet they've never had to work so hard for their salary.

Then there are the want to work, between jobs types who think the job centre can help them find work. Hmmm computer says, no. OK then, the job centre will treat them with some dignity recognising that they want to work. Hmm, computer still says, no. Frankly, this group is the biggest pain in the bottocks - an absolute scourge. Let's kick them up the bum too for being so demanding.

I have no doubt that the current regime is all about stopping poeple's benefits on the slightest whim. And really, job centre staff are from the same planet as the rest of us. It's just the Stanford Prison Experiment on a national scale.

I agree to a point, but I can't agree that it's the JCP staff's job to sanction people. It is to assist and advise, not do the job searching for said job seeker, if said person isn't helping themselves, then of course, why would they deserve anything less than a sanction? I feel this whole conspiracy theory that all JCP is there for is to sanction as many people as possible is wholly untrue. Mistakes are made, yes, everyone makes them. There are bound to be some bad, spiteful people working in JCP offices, but are likely the minority.

What would help both staff and job seeker? If people stopped automatically assuming that the JCP is this big, evil place where no-one wants to help and they just want to sanction you. Did anyone ever think that some of the people with this assumption go in to a JCP and treat their adviser with disdain and disrespect and maybe this is why they are treated the same way back? (And if you feel they are treating you unfairly, report it! You can't constantly whinge about something but not do anything about it!) Why would they want to help someone if the job seekers refuses to listen, take on board what you are telling them and generally refuse any advise or assistance? As you said, they are from the same planet, respect goes both ways, if you're not giving it, don't expect it back. Enough trips to the job centre tells me I would absolutely detest working in one from the attitudes I see some people give staff there, it's no wonder morale always seems so low.

I have always treated advisers with respect and I have always received it back, as well as offers for as much help as I may require, whether the offers were not suited to me or were actually helpful, the effort was always appreciated.

red_devil

szam_ wrote: »

So someone asks you why you haven't got a job, and you tell them not to turn it round on you? Couldn't you just answer the question, i.e. redundant, sacked, just come out of education? And who else would you want them to turn it around on, if you were made redundant, fair enough, but it's not the job centre's fault. Finding, getting and keeping a job is your responsibility, not the job centres.

With that kind of attitude, it's no wonder so many 'horror' stories about being 'mistreated' by JCP staff crop up. They're only doing their job and you don't make it easy for them.

They are talking down to you. There is a charter where they are supposed to treat you with respect. Not only that how many times do they need to keep asking you the same question.

John1993_2

szam_ wrote: »

I agree to a point, but I can't agree that it's the JCP staff's job to sanction people.

Who should do it then? If people aren't putting in the effort, in the right way, and with the right attitude, to find a job, then it's right and proper that their benefits are scaled back. Jobseekers allowance comes with conditions, and if these are not met, the benefit ought to be stopped.

If it's not the JCP staff who should make the determination, who should it be?

I think that they are probably the best people for it, as they are the ones who get to meet the jobseeker regularly, and discuss their case with them.

Did anyone ever think that some of the people with this assumption go in to a JCP and treat their adviser with disdain and disrespect and maybe this is why they are treated the same way back?

Given the way they are talked about on here, I have no doubt that some posters are indeed treating the staff badly in their interviews. These are people being provided, free, by the state, to assess and advise the claimants. They should be treated with due deference and respect, not regarded as there to be abused.

John1993_2

szam_ wrote: »

And who else would you want them to turn it around on, if you were made redundant, fair enough, but it's not the job centre's fault.

Well said.

red_devil

Given the way they are talked about on here, I have no doubt that some posters are indeed treating the staff badly in their interviews. These are people being provided, free, by the state, to assess and advise the claimants. They should be treated with due deference and respect, not regarded as there to be abused.[/QUOTE]

its two way they do often talk down to you without provacation. They are also very incompetent. I have been given someone elses jobseekers agreement clearly a breach of data protection? wonder whose got mine?:eek:

They are underhand as well telling you that you must give access to your account when clearly you dont have too.

without people being unemployed they would have no job so they should remember that instead of looking down their noses.

John1993_2

monkeychops wrote: »

I am not going to at the age of almost 60 start doing something which I really really do not want to do.

If you want to receive your full benefits, though, you don't get to make that choice indefinitely. The deal is that you get paid only if you do what's required of you, and that can include doing jobs that you'd prefer not to.