Can JC staff ask you to look at your emails?

111222

Just been to a signing on, I filled in both JC booklets, one thin grey book and one thicker white booklet with all my job searches.

Some of the job searches were made on gumtree and I didn't get any response so the JC worker said that she couldn't prove that I had applied for any jobs, I did apply for a couple through the UJS, and she pretty much demanded that I log into my email and show me my sent mail box, what is the legal stance on this(Scotland - assume it's the same for Britain), anyway i did apply for 3 jobs this morning about an hour before signing on, and showed her these. However I didn't have any evidence of any other applications. So she has put me in for a sanction/suspension.

I did show her my sent items but felt it was pressured, can I do anything about this?

FluffyDuck3

111222 wrote: »

Just been to a signing on, I filled in both JC booklets, one thin grey book and one thicker white booklet with all my job searches.

Some of the job searches were made on gumtree and I didn't get any response so the JC worker said that she couldn't prove that I had applied for any jobs, I did apply for a couple through the UJS, and she pretty much demanded that I log into my email and show me my sent mail box, what is the legal stance on this(Scotland - assume it's the same for Britain), anyway i did apply for 3 jobs this morning about an hour before signing on, and showed her these. However I didn't have any evidence of any other applications. So she has put me in for a sanction/suspension.

I did show her my sent items but felt it was pressured, can I do anything about this?

You need to 2 things. First apply for a reconsideration. Then make a complaint.

Print off your sent emails and provide this with the request for reconsideration.

I don't think they can insist on access to your emails.

Podge52

You don't have to give them access to your email. If you have evidence of job applications in your email sent box then print these off and take them with you when you go to sign on.

As regards the possible sanction if you can prove that you have fulfilled your jobseekers agreement then you shouldn't get a sanction.

Nada666

111222 wrote: »

anyway i did apply for 3 jobs this morning about an hour before signing on, and showed her these.

That should be an automatic sanction as it is dodgy and doubtful behaviour. Stinks of someone just spending half-an-hour just before signing to scribble something on their booklet.

You need to show you have been continuously applying and job-searching over the previous two weeks - not just the previous two hours.

But, of course, they have no right to see your email account.

busy_mom_2

They do not have the right to see your e-mails but you have to provide evidence of your jobsearch and job applications so printing sent items is acceptable on both parties.

JimmyTheWig

I agree with the consensus here. They shouldn't have the right to see your Sent Items. But they do have the right to ask for evidence that you have been applying for jobs.
One way to provide that evidence would be to show them your Sent Items.
Another way, as has been said, would be to print off the emails that you've sent.

I would imagine that they are allowed to ask to look at your emails. if you don't show them that is up to you. If you don't show them and can't provide any other proof then there's not going to be a lot you can do to avoid a sanction.

FluffyDuck3

Nada666 wrote: »

That should be an automatic sanction as it is dodgy and doubtful behaviour. Stinks of someone just spending half-an-hour just before signing to scribble something on their booklet.

You need to show you have been continuously applying and job-searching over the previous two weeks - not just the previous two hours.

But, of course, they have no right to see your email account.

You can search for a week. find nothing, and then find a few jobs on one day.

SJI85

JimmyTheWig wrote: »

I would imagine that they are allowed to ask to look at your emails. if you don't show them that is up to you. If you don't show them and can't provide any other proof then there's not going to be a lot you can do to avoid a sanction.

In my opinion what they shouldn't have done is ask to see the emails as such, and effectively demandt the OP log in , but to ask the OP to go to a computer, log into the email account (without being watched) and print off the emails. He/she can then return with the emails. Or for it to be made clear that he/she can do this in the future (arrive early, print off emails, attend appt).

Robisere

Are you also sending out a CV to any/all of the jobs you apply for?

Whether by email attachments or post, it's a good idea. Print and show your emails and also print any copies of letters you send with CV's. That's what my grandson did, he was employed within weeks of leaving college. Drown them with proof, this ignorant, unthinking JC Jobsworth will soon get fed up.

Although I do hope you get a job soon, good luck!

missapril75

If you allow access, be careful not to have any emails with sexist comments as you might get into a lot of trouble in the media.

:rotfl:


More seriously, why not a job search folder that you don't mind them seeing? Or print activity/list rather than the actual emails.

Viberduo

Sounds like they saw you as a easy target to get their quota of sanctions up than caring either that or just the generic ones who assume everyone on benefits is stupid/lazy whatever

I have some things I remember but dont want to mention due to not wanting to risk misremembering or getting you in trouble but as far as I remember all they need is some sort of proof of jobsearch, this can mean that you do not need your diary, nor your sign on booklet its just there to get you into a routine, I was told this after I had a complaint with a local MP backing me and got a reply from the head of DWP in Scotland(well his secretary) and after that I never was asked for my booklet or diary every again and was sweet talked every time I went to sign before I changed to ESA