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Work program bullying?

Hi,

I'm currently on the work program in Leeds (with B.E.S.T, also known as Interserve) and it appears (from where i am sitting) that they're trying to bully me into doing things that they're not allowed to do.

I'm not 100% sure on it, that's why i am asking on here for more considered, and experienced advice.

I was mandated to be on the work program three months ago, and since then i have only had to go once every two weeks, and have never missed an appointment.

In the last week, my advisor has told me to attend a "Job Club" which i have no problem with attending - if it helps, but my advisor has also told me that i must bring in all my usernames and passwords to my email addresses, and job sites, as well as my CV. They also asserted that should i refuse they will tell the job center that i'm being uncooperative, and will put a stop to my claim; also asserting that i would loose my money and become homeless.

Currently, they do not have a copy of my CV, nor have i signed any of the data release forms (the data protection forms they ask you to sign - to be honest, i have not signed anything they have put in front of me).

What i would like to find out is:

a) Are they're allowed to do that?

b) Are they allowed to contact the job center despite me not signing a data release form?

and finally c) What can i do to counter this threat, and call their bluff?

Thank you.
«13

Comments

  • stix62
    stix62 Posts: 1,021 Forumite
    No doubt someone will be along with better info for you, but in the meantime...

    NO! they can't do that.(they can contact Job centre though) You don't have to sign their forms and you most definately do not give out user names and passwords. What planet are they on?

    Step 1 (i.m.o) - Ask the WP for their complaints procedure and get it rolling. If you are unhappy with their response they must tell you how to take the complaint further ;)
  • They cannot insist that you give them your passwords. They cannot insist that you give a copy of your cv, but to refuse is very likely to result in a sanction.

    Don't start trying to play games with them, it is you that will lose. Do what is reasonable, and if they tell you to do something that is not, politely explain why you will not.
  • szam_
    szam_ Posts: 642 Forumite
    Tenth Anniversary 500 Posts Combo Breaker
    Rule number one for anything password related: never give out your passwords.

    If they want an email address for you, kindly point out that you giving them existing passwords is unreasonable and can leave any account owned by yourself vulnerable. If they want an email address they can check for the duration of the WP, they can create it themselves and give you the password to use it.

    I don't see any harm in you showing them your CV as many employers would see it anyway, it would be unreasonable, in my opinion, for you to deny them seeing that if they are going to cause you grief over it.

    I can't comment on signing anything as I don't know what it is asking of you on the form, I'm afraid.

    As jacques chirac has pointed out, don't try to play games with them. Just do what you feel is reasonable.
    Professional Data Monkey

  • AP007
    AP007 Posts: 7,109 Forumite
    Yes you need to provide them with a copy of your CV
    No you do not EVER have to give them user names and passwords of ANY sites you are using at all!!!

    And yes they can contact the JC about you as they are working on behalf of the DWP

    Under no circumstances give them any passwords to any sites just a list of sites you use will do

    IF they want to check you are really using the sites give them details of a job you have applied for ie the link and job ref etc

    Also if they say again you need to give them this info on the sites and your passwords say you will contact the Operations Director at their head office for clarification on this (what you will really do is lodge an official complaint!)

    Get all this in writing from them not verbal (the requests)
    We’ve had to remove your signature. Please check the Forum Rules if you’re unsure why it’s been removed and, if still unsure, email forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com
  • AP007
    AP007 Posts: 7,109 Forumite
    They cannot insist that you give them your passwords. They cannot insist that you give a copy of your cv, but to refuse is very likely to result in a sanction.

    Don't start trying to play games with them, it is you that will lose. Do what is reasonable, and if they tell you to do something that is not, politely explain why you will not.
    No they can not ask for passwords to sites or your accounts will be compromised!
    We’ve had to remove your signature. Please check the Forum Rules if you’re unsure why it’s been removed and, if still unsure, email forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com
  • Denning.
    Denning. Posts: 2,749 Forumite
    AP007 wrote: »
    No they can not ask for passwords to sites or your accounts will be compromised!

    Can't and shouldnt aren't interchangeable, dear
  • iammumtoone
    iammumtoone Posts: 6,377 Forumite
    Tenth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper I've been Money Tipped!
    edited 22 January 2014 pm31 6:15PM

    In the last week, my advisor has told me to attend a "Job Club" which i have no problem with attending - if it helps, but my advisor has also told me that i must bring in all my usernames and passwords to my email addresses, and job sites, as well as my CV.

    Thank you.

    Is it possible you have misunderstood them? Are they asking for you to give them this information (not allowed) or just requesting you bring it with you so you can use it yourself? If you are attending a job club I am assuming there will be computers there for you to do your job searching on, if you find a suitable vacancy you will not be able to apply for it, if you don't know what your username and password is for that site. I don't know my usernames and passwords by heart as by PC remembers them for me, if I was to job search/apply on a different PC I would to have to have that information with me.

    Also how are you going to apply for jobs, send spec letters etc if you can't access your email as you don't know your password?
  • mro
    mro Posts: 813 Forumite
    Tenth Anniversary 500 Posts Combo Breaker
    Hi,

    I'm currently on the work program in Leeds (with B.E.S.T, also known as Interserve) and it appears (from where i am sitting) that they're trying to bully me into doing things that they're not allowed to do.

    I'm not 100% sure on it, that's why i am asking on here for more considered, and experienced advice.

    I was mandated to be on the work program three months ago, and since then i have only had to go once every two weeks, and have never missed an appointment.

    In the last week, my advisor has told me to attend a "Job Club" which i have no problem with attending - if it helps, but my advisor has also told me that i must bring in all my usernames and passwords to my email addresses, and job sites, as well as my CV. They also asserted that should i refuse they will tell the job center that i'm being uncooperative, and will put a stop to my claim; also asserting that i would loose my money and become homeless.

    Currently, they do not have a copy of my CV, nor have i signed any of the data release forms (the data protection forms they ask you to sign - to be honest, i have not signed anything they have put in front of me).

    What i would like to find out is:

    a) Are they're allowed to do that?

    b) Are they allowed to contact the job center despite me not signing a data release form?

    and finally c) What can i do to counter this threat, and call their bluff?

    Thank you.
    Ask for it in writing, then say you will notify the DWP & police.
  • Definitely ask for them to put the request for the email address and passwords in writing. I've heard of others being asked for this too, so so wrong.
  • Hello everybody, and thank you all for your replies thus far.

    In reply to: iammumtoone's question: "Is it possible you have misunderstood them? Are they asking for you to give them this information (not allowed) or just requesting you bring it with you so you can use it yourself?"

    I am in no doubt that i'll be using it myself while i'm there while searching for jobs. What got me: was she said that i had to type it into my phone, or bring it on paper, and show her the details. And said in her own words "To make sure that you bring them".

    As you also stated that your pc keeps all your login details for you: my pc also remembers all my login details for me, and i can't for the life of me remember them. So i couldn't bring them in anyway. I'd have to reset all the passwords, which would !!!!!! up my pc's login brain thing....

    As most of you have said: "have it in writing." I did ask for that when i was there (i tried to think ahead) and she printed off an appointment letter, that states: "To attend 1 hour job club with Jxxxxx and Yxxxxx to apply for a minimum of 5 position [sic] while onsite. To bring in all login details for jobsites and emails used. To make sure you bring in your CV."

    I am no stranger to applying for jobs. I do more than 5 in a day, so that's no sweat to me. i'd just do 5 there, and then come home, and apply for more jobs. What i am against is that they're trying to force me into handing over personal information, and possibly giving them access to my private email addresses etc.

    AP007 said: "Yes you need to provide them with a copy of your CV" This is not true. I don't know much. But what i do know is that i do not have to supply them with my CV.
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