Help to Work Programme comes in today

JeLaw

BillJones wrote: »

In that situation they should of course apply, as it's a condition of their continued receipt of benefits. They should then do their best to get the job.

I agree. To an extent. It might be to their detriment if they were to apply for a wholly unsuitable role - only for a more appropriate role to come up with the same company a few months later. I never forgot the reaction of my old manager (I work for a different company now) to one applicant. (Btw, I liked this manager so this isn't an attack on them, more an observation).

This manager was angry that someone appeared to be wasting their time. We had a lot of applications for one role and the manager didn't want to waste time going through unsuitable applications. The person applying had years of experience at a higher level to the vacant role.

That person would then be remembered as a "time-waster" should a more suitable role come up for them.

I'm not claiming this will be the case with every employer but it's something worth being cautious of.

Generally it should be worth applying for any job (if you need to).

My point really was that it isn't fair to castigate some few (some, not all) for remaining unemployed for a long(ish) period. Because many are applying for every job - but there are reasons they might be overlooked.

I'm not trying to make excuses for people. Just trying to point out that in some cases, it's more down to employer prejudices rather than candidate unwillingness.

JeLaw

Bubblesmum wrote: »

Firstly thank you for your best wishes

Your view that it will not help older claimants, is not one that I have had in the last two years working with all age groups... for example a Mum in her fifities with children who have flown the nest and now need to look for work, their last job 15 years ago, they use to work on packaging lines in factories which have since closed.

I actively encouraged them to find voluntary roles for many of the reasons I said, in the case of the example given this lady went and worked in a charity shop a few hours a week, it got her out of the house, gave her different team working skills, she learnt how to use electronic tills, and provide customer service.... that led her on to full time work in a local retailer.

We are all unique people, with complex lives, some of us, will milk the system for all its worth, some of us will have years of bad luck. Some will grab every opportunity offered with relish, and others will reject for often very deep and complicated reasons. But the one thing I have learnt both as a disabled person and as a health professional, its a mixture of many different support mechanisms that lift a person out of a dark place to one with hope. What works for one person will not work for another....

That's really positive. It's good to hear that these schemes can sometimes help people. As long as they are approached without a one-size-fits-all attitude, then I'm not against such schemes.

lakes17

busy_mom wrote: »

Re read my post. no 72 i did not omit anything. I stated they may be sanctioned if they refuse.

Apologies for the oversight

busy_mom_2

Thanks to lakes17 and JeLaw for taking on board my comments. I didn't think you were arguing and its nice to have some be positive to others comments as opposed slating something or someone.

They are meant to be only comments and explainations.

What the hope of the new scheme is, is to try to support and help those who want help and for those who dont want help and dont want to work they will actually give something back for the benefits they recieve.

I accept there are many people who do need help, support and some just need a break. Others need motivation and confidence to support them. My issue is with those who put more effort into not getting a job and i'm sorry but there is a small number who dont want work.
Give the new schemes a chance cause whether we like it or not they are here try to use them and take the help offered.

topaztiger1983

I actually have an interview for a voluntary job at a local charity (Rotherham Hospice, nothing to do with animals, but at least it gives me some recent work experience), but it is as a Sales Assistant at their local charity shop

I am looking into some animal charities such as RSPCA & PDSA, & some small local animal charities

pmduk

Best of luck with the interview.

topaztiger1983

pmduk wrote: »

Best of luck with the interview.

Thanks, my interview is on 14th May so I will let you guys know how I get on when I know

I am really looking forward to getting back to doing some kind of work, even if it is unpaid & I have found this for myself & not been forced to do something by JCP, so it's all good

Experience is experience & if I can help a local charity at the same time then all the better, plus it looks good on the old CV too

WingIt123

Companies should be signing their names to some sort of contract stating, "if the person volunteering completes their period to the best of their ability, we will hire them".

Or if not, top peoples JSA up to a minimum wage standard so they can afford to do it. Anyone who then refuses clearly doesn't want to work then you can hit them with sanctions.

topaztiger1983

WingIt123 wrote: »

Companies should be signing their names to some sort of contract stating, "if the person volunteering completes their period to the best of their ability, we will hire them".

Or if not, top peoples JSA up to a minimum wage standard so they can afford to do it. Anyone who then refuses clearly doesn't want to work then you can hit them with sanctions.

The issue that I have is that my work is voluntary for a local charity which I found for myself, so no chance of a paid job unless I become manager

But I do agree with you statement, JCP need to look at their policies as they are obviously flawed

pmduk

You might want to check that the charity is happy to give you a reference after a certain amount of time. There are a tiny few that can be funny about this.