OS Singlies - We Do It Our Way!

Need2bthrifty

Hi Folks

Hope you have survived or missed the storm of last night, it woke me at 3am but it was too dark to see if there was any damage then. At the moment the sun is out and the wind has dropped to a gentle breeze. Neighbours fencing has been relocated two gardens along, next doors trampoline, climbing frame, goal posts and wendy house all ended up a mangled heap against their fence. I thought I had gotten away without any damage then noticed the gas meter box had been ripped off. Ive managed to cobble it back together with some heavy duty parcel tape, just hope it holds until the replacement arrives. Then it will be a test to see if I can fit the damn thing - who's turn is it for the handyman who lives in the cupboard under the stairs, cause I need him :rotfl:

Did a quick visit to the SM this morning just because of the forecast for tomorrow and I can stay home all cosy and warm if the wind and snow do come along. Filled up the car with petrol, the tank was practically empty and what a joy.....£10 cheaper to fill up my little fiesta :j

Best go and catch up with the rest of my chores and perhaps a bit of baking as a treat for myself.

Horace

It was a bit windy yesterday but nowhere near as bad as what went on up North. It was lovely and sunny earlier although now it is blowing a hoolie.

I signed on and took up 25 minutes of the advisor's time whilst she faffed with the computer and inputting my payslip. She told me that they only have 5 minutes to see people. Anyway an appointment has been booked for me to see someone else because I have finished on the work programme - it is like an induction interview. I have to sign on the next day and will probably be signing on a weekly basis. I also need to take evidence of the OU course that I am starting next week.

Wandered down to Mr S to look for a tea cosy but they didn't have one. I did buy a pack of C cards for 25p, some cream cakes (1 in my tum and two in the fridge) as it was 3 for the price of 2. I got yoghurts, some chicken kiev things that are filled with leek and bacon and I treated myself to a magazine and a bunch of flowers. Came home on the bus and have been ensconced in the house ever since.

Feeling a bit iffy, I woke up this morning all snuffly and with a cough that a smoker would be proud of. The snuffles and the cough have gone but I am feeling washed out and have an attack of the can't be bothereds again.

The tree is coming down tonight.

moneyistooshorttomention

Horace,

Am wondering why they want evidence of your OU course? Are they paying some of the cost of it then? Or are you paying all the cost, in which case = What business is it of theirs?

Just getting a little bit suspicious they might try pulling a "whilst you are doing this course, then you aren't 'available for work' stunt" on your behalf.

Don't forget a comment I had from a university lecturer friend at one point, which was to the effect of "If you decide to do an OU course ever, then allow about 16 hours per week for it....as they are meant to be done on top of full-time jobs". That is = you are still fully "available for work", as you have plenty of time left on top of that 16 hours to do a full-time job.

mothernerd

moneyistooshorttomention wrote: »

Horace,

Am wondering why they want evidence of your OU course? Are they paying some of the cost of it then? Or are you paying all the cost, in which case = What business is it of theirs?

Just getting a little bit suspicious they might try pulling a "whilst you are doing this course, then you aren't 'available for work' stunt" on your behalf.

Don't forget a comment I had from a university lecturer friend at one point, which was to the effect of "If you decide to do an OU course ever, then allow about 16 hours per week for it....as they are meant to be done on top of full-time jobs". That is = you are still fully "available for work", as you have plenty of time left on top of that 16 hours to do a full-time job.

Sorry to butt in, but I think 13 hours is a safer answer - think 16 hours would trigger sanctions. Emphasize that course is in hours to suit you, designed to fit around f-t work and that if necessary you would be prepared to give it up for f-t work. It may not be logical but they aren't logical and will do anything to trip you up and meet their 'sanctions target' (which they will deny having).

moneyistooshorttomention

Good points MotherNerd:T

I think Horace got treated badly by a certain shop we all know and don't want her to inadvertently get caught out here.

ellie99

Need2bthrifty, do the gas companies not fit a new box if needed? Seems a bit much to expect the householder to do it. (or maybe you just want a turn with the man-in-the cupboard? :rotfl:)

What a day it's been! I worked 10 hours straight, was gasping for a big mug of tea when I got home!
Had gales, rain, sleet, and a bit of fog thrown in. A little bit of flooding, and one tree down over a road. I spend about half of my working day outside, which explains why I'm so weather obsessed
Dreading tomorrow, apparently it will be gales to start the day, and snow in the afternoon, let's hope the weather man has got it wrong.

I drove over a little branch today (hardly more than a twig) and it got jammed under my car, it was grinding and crunching. I was driving back and forwards trying to dislodge it. Did get out for a look, but would have needed to lie on the ground and I didn't want to because it was so wet, so just had to keep on with going back and forwards until it came out, I don't think it's damaged anything luckily.

Got a phone call from DS1 saying he was home from work, and where was I and what was for tea? Told him he could make tea as he was first home...I do resent it a bit, being expected to make all the meals even if I've been busy doing something else, I think they forget I'm not young any more and I can't be bothered!
Actually DS1 is pretty good, he will cook, just likes to be told *what* to cook. Tonight I told him to see to it himself, and I wanted more than the beans on toast he was offering...he went to the chippy...I'm meant to be dieting

Frankiesphone

Horace wrote: »

dND . It isn't my fault I haven't got a job - I apply for loads but due to age, disability etc I am not getting anywhere so it is not for want of trying.

How can you say this? unless of course you are stating your age and the fact you have a disability on your CV? which you should remove immediately, or on any application form which should be detached from your application and only used for monitoring purposes!

I noticed you have just finished a temporary post, but you seem quite clued up on DIY issues, so maybe your calling is the Orange Brigade at Bee and Queue, or on the tills at Tasco, both of whom employ disabled and the elderly, (I do not know your age) well they do at my local stores anyway!

On a further note, have you uploaded your CV to CV Library and Indeed?, both of which are very good sites, thus enabling you to be alerted to any job within a specified radius of your home address.

mothernerd

Frankiesphone wrote: »

How can you say this? unless of course you are stating your age and the fact you have a disability on your CV? which you should remove immediately, or on any application form which should be detached from your application and only used for monitoring purposes!

I noticed you have just finished a temporary post, but you seem quite clued up on DIY issues, so maybe your calling is the Orange Brigade at Bee and Queue, or on the tills at Tasco, both of whom employ disabled and the elderly, (I do not know your age) well they do at my local stores anyway!

On a further note, have you uploaded your CV to CV Library and Indeed?, both of which are very good sites, thus enabling you to be alerted to any job within a specified radius of your home address.

Not really helpful. Bee and Queue do emphasize their policy on taking on older workers but really only want retired tradespeople - I failed their telephone (automated service) interview several years ago (ie way before I hit 50 - I am currently 56) despite having nearly rebuilt my house twice in the 33 years I have owned it.

It has always been true that it is far easier to get a new job if you are already employed - much tougher if you are out of work. Discrimination still happens, employers are just less blatant about it. Don't blame the person who is out of work (that's what the powers that be want us to do). It is understandable that people like Horace get down after rejection upon rejection.

In today's climate even 'low-level' jobs are fought over, the employer's have loads of choice. Take note if you are in your local supermarket on 'induction night' for their new batch of shelf stackers (one of the jobs people assume anyone can do and would be able to get if they were willing). The intake is over whelmingly young pretty girls (there might be one person over the age of 18).

In addition any job which I have applied for over the last 20 years requires the completion of a medical form which requires you to state any days off work due to sickness in the past 3 years (sometimes 5) and the cause and a further form in which you detail any medication you have taken in the same period (and give them permission to contact your doctor to confirm). A company doctor can determine any medical conditions from these details (one of the reasons I refused anti-depressants from my doctor, as long as I had a vague hope of re-entering the workplace) and if you lie (or fail to disclose anything) it's instant grounds for dismissal.

I became self-employed with very low earnings, because of this.

Horace

Thanks for the advice gang - I am aware of the tricks the jobcentre uses, the OU course is for 10 weeks and is free, I shall be spending about 5hours a week on it at most.

Frankie - I am not that stupid to mention disability and age on my CV but I am sure prospective employers would be able to work it out from my qualifications O Levels for instance and RSA Stage III Typing, I do have the modern IT equivalents too. I have to declare a disability so the prospective employer can make reasonable adjustments for me at interview. I do this at the time of being called for interview as well as it being on the monitoring sheet.

I am registered on Indeed, Retailchoice, Monster, EmptyLemon, Evenbreak, The Guardian, Third Sector jobs, Caterer.com, Fish4jobs, FE jobs, Jobs.ac.uk, MorganHunt, NHS jobs, Civil Service Gateway and I get jobs emailed to me on a daily basis. I also look at newspapers. Anyway I shall continue my search - something is bound to fall into my lap soon. Onwards and upwards.

mothernerd

Apologies Frankiesphone I didn't mean to bite your head off.