Work program bullying?

AP007

brightengineer wrote: »

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.

Now I see they possibly mean log on when you are there and use the sites for job searching.

Not maybe meaning 'give us the log ins'

I had to do job searches at the WP and no one needed to tell me to make sure I had my log ins - that was obvious

So they cant put you forward for any jobs if they do not have your CV. I assumed they could ask for it and you would give it to them if you wanted to find a job.

brightengineer

AP007 wrote: »

Now I see they possibly mean log on when you are there and use the sites for job searching.

Not maybe meaning 'give us the log ins'

I had to do job searches at the WP and no one needed to tell me to make sure I had my log ins - that was obvious

So they cant put you forward for any jobs if they do not have your CV. I assumed they could ask for it and you would give it to them if you wanted to find a job.

Yes, but why would she want to see them? She asked them specifically to be written down, and she must see them. Her tone, and mannerisms made it highly suspect.

I think the easiest way around this would be to create new accounts, and set them up while there. That way they can have the log in's as when i have a job, they can keep them.

AP007

brightengineer wrote: »

Yes, but why would she want to see them? She asked them specifically to be written down, and she must see them. Her tone, and mannerisms made it highly suspect.

I think the easiest way around this would be to create new accounts, and set them up while there. That way they can have the log in's as when i have a job, they can keep them.

I am telling you she does not have the right to ask to see private log ins for sites that are not connected to the JC or the WP

That would be a security breach on your accounts there.

brightengineer

AP007 wrote: »

I am telling you she does not have the right to ask to see private log ins for sites that are not connected to the JC or the WP

That would be a security breach on your accounts there.

Thank you, i understand that part.

My main grievance what that they are trying to force me to hand them over.

Hence my suggestion that i create new accounts, and keep everything separate. That way, i can satisfy them, and not let them have anything that would pose any breaches.

AP007

brightengineer wrote: »

Thank you, i understand that part.

My main grievance what that they are trying to force me to hand them over.

Hence my suggestion that i create new accounts, and keep everything separate. That way, i can satisfy them, and not let them have anything that would pose any breaches.

Hence me saying get it in writing and not on an appointment letter I mean and OFFICAL letter from their head office that's going to show the legal argument about the safety of your own private information online at these sites.

Maybe raise a concern with the sites and I know what the reply will be 'do not give out you log on info to anyone'

brightengineer

AP007 wrote: »

Hence me saying get it in writing and not on an appointment letter I mean and OFFICAL letter from their head office that's going to show the legal argument about the safety of your own private information online at these sites.

Maybe raise a concern with the sites and I know what the reply will be 'do not give out you log on info to anyone'

Oooh, now i follow you!

I was having a blonde moment, sorry.

mro

brightengineer wrote: »

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.

They are making it up as they go along, they will write any old nonsense down

They are trying to bully, intimidate & control you.

You make sure you control the situation & are happy with what you give them. They are testing you to see what they can get away with.

But always remember they can give you a hard time & make things difficult.

If you calmly stand up to them, they generally will change their tune, as they need to work with you to get a result and their commission.

AP007

For example what they are asking is the same as a Phishing scam

The Reed site says this
http://www.reed.co.uk/yoursecurity



Phishing:

Phishing emails are an increasingly common method used to try and gain access to personal details in order to carry out fraud or identity theft.
Typically, a phishing email will claim to have been sent by a reputable organisation and ask that you respond to the email with your username and/or password or that you enter your sign in details over a 'secure' connection.

Whilst phishing emails can seem very professional, there are usually a number of clues to alert you to the fraudulent nature of the emails. When reading an email claiming to be sent from reed.co.uk, you should always keep the following questions in mind:

1. Are you being asked to provide your password? reed.co.uk will never ask you to provide your password in response to an email or phone call.
2. Are there spelling and grammar mistakes in the email? Phishing emails often originate from outside the UK and spelling and grammar mistakes are common.
3. Are you being asked to download something? If you don't recognise a file, don't download it. All reed.co.uk account details are stored online, so we'll never ask you to download anything to use the service.
4. Are you being threatened with losing access to your account? Phishing emails sometimes make it seem like you'll lose access to your account unless you download something or provide your sign in details. reed.co.uk will never ask you to do anything like this in order to keep your account open.

If you're suspicious of any email you receive from reed.co.uk, please contact us with the subject line of the email, and the email address it was sent from.

What you can do to protect yourself

Account security

Online security risks can be minimised simply by ensuring that your password is always kept secure. We recommend you follow the password security advice below:

• Always use a password which is personal and does not contain your name, email address or the word 'password'
• Ensure your password contains both letters and numbers
• Never give your password out to anyone - we will never ask you for your password
• Change your password at least once every three months
• Take a moment to memorise your password so you don't need to write it down
• Try and use a different password for each different website you use

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Say for example you have a Reed account I'd email them and tell them a 3rd party is asking for your acct info

samsmoot

My tuppence worth is:


Giving them your CV is probably a good idea. It helps show you are serious in your hunt for work, shows some compliance (which helps if you are sometimes non-compliant) and doesn't hurt.


Don't sign anything except maybe the in/out log. Anything else is up to you. Make it easier to say no by asking to take away the document for examination before you sign. You may not have your spectacles with you that day. Or you may wish to obtain legal advice first, being as your signature is a legal mark.


Look for reasons to bring a complaint about them in order to be seen less often. Refuse to sign something and let them get uppity about it - they may make threats of sanctions, which you can question in writing until you get a straight answer, but it might make them lay off a bit if you're obviously not a pushover. You can dispute what they ask of you if not reasonable in your circumstances - don't necessarily refuse point blank but a good letter of complaint over the advisor's head might rile them enough to want to see less of you. The best form of defence is attack and if you give them trouble because of their errors and bad attitudes they'll probably prefer not to tangle with you too much.


Know the law, and what JSA conditions require of you whilst on the WP. Know what's sanctionable (failing to turn up, not enough jobs applied for) and what's not (failure to sign something, refusal to give private personal information).


Also be aware that their brief includes instructions to resolve their own problems, without going running to JCP at the drop of a hat if a jobseeker is a bit less than their ideal. Also be aware that they have the same powers as JCP advisors to recommend a sanction - but if they threaten that they will sanction you that is misrepresentation and a can of worms is opened which you can exploit by calling them liars.


Best of luck with it all - take care but do stand up for yourself.

moneyistooshorttomention

Personally, I would probably tend to give Bossy Madam a letter (copy kept and I'd make sure she knew it) in which I stated words to effect of:

"I note request made by yourself (ie Miss Bossy Madam) on (date) for me to give sight of the following personal confidential information, ie my password, etc. Noted that this is in breach of (whatever law its in breach of), but I have complied with your (ie Miss Bossy Madam's) request as BM said that, if I didn't, so-and-so would happen to me. I hereby state that BM has accordingly compromised my Internet security and hereby note that fact.".

I'd hand the letter to her and her boss and try to get her to sign she had received it and then tell her (and mean it) that my MP and the local newspaper would be being told about it next.

I would still take the precaution of creating a "false front" password/etc set of details to be used/abused by Bossy Madam and rest of JobCentre only, in order to protect my Internet privacy.

In short "fight fire with fire". Make it plain to Bossy Madam that "If you continue trying to hurt me, then I will hurt you PERSONALLY back. Wanna keep trying?:D"

Apparent compliance so you don't land up in trouble, but in actual fact determination to punish her personally for her attitude.

EDIT: Data Protection Act...I think that's the relevant one to get Bossy Madam in trouble for.