JSA adviser bullying

deebee33

I was sanctioned for 4 weeks and no letter informing me of the sanction or reasons has ever been received, I have queried this by email 3 times and had no reply, in this case, as I had no notice is the sanction unfairly applied?

The reason for the sanction was, that I applied for 7 jobs over the Xmas fortnight period and the job adviser claimed this wasn't enough, even though over the Xmas fortnight there were much fewer than normal live job adverts.
He claimed this wasn't true, but didn't show me these mysterious live jobs that were advertised at Xmas!

He also went into my Universal Jobmatch account even though I have not ticked the box to give permission, he showed me a list of email addresses and asked me which one was mine and went straight into the account.

I found his attitude threatening, dismissive and bullying, but despite complaints to the manager, I am getting no response.
I am being ignored and have been told to sign on in the 'secure section' from now on!
I am actually having panic attacks about going to sign on now.

jacques_chirac

How many jobs does your agreement state you must apply for? Did you send out any speculative applications?

What exactly has your adviser done that you find to be threatening?

StormyWeather_2

Have you appealed the sanction?

rogerblack

deebee33 wrote: »

I was sanctioned for 4 weeks and no letter informing me of the sanction or reasons has ever been received, I have queried this by email 3 times and had no reply, in this case, as I had no notice is the sanction unfairly applied?

Never assume you can respond by email unless it says in massive huge letters that you can.
In general, they are free to ignore communications that are not in the right form - including email.

Actually complain in writing.
However.
First thing to get is to find out if a letter about your sanction actually went out.
If it did not - then you have been sanctioned in error - because one of the things they have to do before sanctioning you is to write to you.

If they wrote to your last known address - even if you did not get this - however - it counts as notifying you.

whodathunkit

What other job seeking activities did you undertake over the Christmas fortnight?

deebee33

I have just tried to appeal to have the decision looked at again, but seeing as I do not have any written reasons for the original decision, the exercise was a futile one!

They have never responded to my requests for written decision on the sanctions, even though I have asked several times for it in writing. I suspect the sanction was made in error because it would be simple for them to send me a copy of the original letter, yet they haven't done so.



I have been at this address for 19 years, so no excuse about wrong addresses!

My agreements says 5 actions a week, seeing as I applied for 7 jobs over a 2 week period that included 5 days of public holidays/weekends I thought that was sufficient, there literally was nothing else being advertised over that end of year fortnight in my field.


I did the usual, got my email summaries of jobs through and checked through the websites I am subscribed to, stuff I do every week, as I said Xmas was not a big month for new openings!

cattermole

5 is a very low number though and it is actions, so 10 would be easily achievable in two weeks even taking into account the Christmas Holiday where there are only 3 days bank holiday i.e. Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's day. What hours the JC are shut isn't really relevant.

They have given you the reason though haven't they? Or are you saying you did the 10 actions but only applied for 7 jobs? How many actions did you put down on your sheets?

Sorry I know that isn't probably what you want to hear.

But if they haven't followed proper procedures, then you need to make a formal appeal/complaint in writing and either hand deliver it and get a signature or send it recorded delivery.

rogerblack

deebee33 wrote: »

They have never responded to my requests for written decision on the sanctions, even though I have asked several times for it in writing.

In writing, with an actual physical letter?

likelyfran

rogerblack wrote: »

Never assume you can respond by email unless it says in massive huge letters that you can.
In general, they are free to ignore communications that are not in the right form - including email.

Actually complain in writing.
However.
First thing to get is to find out if a letter about your sanction actually went out.
If it did not - then you have been sanctioned in error - because one of the things they have to do before sanctioning you is to write to you.

If they wrote to your last known address - even if you did not get this - however - it counts as notifying you.

Isn't email classed as 'in writing' these days??
I always assume that it is and I've never had any problems regarding this assumption.
Are you sure you're not just a bit behind with the times rogerblack?

StormyWeather_2

If you send a recorded letter, and it's signed for, they can't claim it didn't arrive.

rogerblack

likelyfran wrote: »

Isn't email classed as 'in writing' these days??
I always assume that it is and I've never had any problems regarding this assumption.
Are you sure you're not just a bit behind with the times rogerblack?

In short - NEVER, EVER, EVER for important dealings with government bodies, unless it is explicitly mentioned as an option, or unless they are being cooperative and are willing to deal with you in that manner.

The methods of contact in some cases - specifically appeals are laid down in law.

Actually delivering a physical letter by the time required to the physical address is usually required.

Can they choose to accept other means of communication - often (not always).

But - very importantly - they are often free to completely ignore any appeals made by text message, email, carrier pigeon, or any other means than actual delivered letter.

This is not a matter of 'getting with the times' - it is recognising the fact that the law in some instances treats letters very differently from other forms of contact.

In the case of appeals - there are usually also hard deadlines.
If you have gotten no response to an email for a week - it is very much not safe to assume that the department in question is dealing with the appeal.

Going outside this deadline will at the very least mean you have to explain why - and 'Oh - I didn't realise you didn't get my email' - may not be accepted.