Work Programme is a joke!

cc360

Been told by my adviser that I have to attend the work programme offices 3 times a week for an hour each time to search for jobs on their computers.

Explaining that it was a waste of time, seeing as it takes me two hours travel per round visit meaning a waste of 6 hours a week travelling which I could use to apply for jobs at home, on my fast computer, with fast internet, instead of on their slow, clunky computers and rubbish internet. I managed to talk him down to twice a week.

When I asked why I'm being made to attend so often and wasting my time I was told "Its so you'll get so annoyed that you'll sign off jobseekers"

What a freaking joke! Something that is supposed to support me back into work and he's trying to force me off benefit. Is there any way I can complain about this to the job centre?

Icematikx

cc360 wrote: »

Been told by my adviser that I have to attend the work programme offices 3 times a week for an hour each time to search for jobs on their computers.

Explaining that it was a waste of time, seeing as it takes me two hours travel per round visit meaning a waste of 6 hours a week travelling which I could use to apply for jobs at home, on my fast computer, with fast internet, instead of on their slow, clunky computers and rubbish internet. I managed to talk him down to twice a week.

When I asked why I'm being made to attend so often and wasting my time I was told "Its so you'll get so annoyed that you'll sign off jobseekers"

What a freaking joke! Something that is supposed to support me back into work and he's trying to force me off benefit. Is there any way I can complain about this to the job centre?

How can you complain about the work programme, when the job centre introduced the work programme? They live and breathe by it - get used to it.

If you have been signed up to the work programme, then chances are, you have been unemployed for quite some time. They don't just tell you to go onto it after a month of signing on. I think it's after 6-months?

If you haven't found a job after 6-months, I would advise trying different sectors, or settling for less than your expectations. I would prefer to work in a warehouse than be on jobseekers.

Also, be prepared to start doing more. They will get you on a 6-month placement soon at Poundland or somewhere similar, working 9AM - 5PM everyday for 6 months. I'm sure when they do this, you'll be quick enough to find a job.

cc360

Icematikx wrote: »

Also, be prepared to start doing more. They will get you on a 6-month placement soon at Poundland or somewhere similar, working 9AM - 5PM everyday for 6 months. I'm sure when they do this, you'll be quick enough to find a job.

Don't assume I'm lazy or not trying to find work. I apply for EVERYTHING I'm capable of doing/qualified to do, including cleaning, shop work, factory work etc. Unfortunately most places want experience in these things and I don't have experience in anything other than administration work.

mattcanary

Icematikx wrote: »

Also, be prepared to start doing more. They will get you on a 6-month placement soon at Poundland or somewhere similar, working 9AM - 5PM everyday for 6 months. I'm sure when they do this, you'll be quick enough to find a job.

Thought this was after at least 2 years of being on JSA

Icematikx

mattcanary wrote: »

Thought this was after at least 2 years of being on JSA

It may be currently, but I know they are romping up the stakes very quickly and this could change tomorrow. They are now SET on getting people into voluntary work, as the statistics have shown people quickly get jobs when faced with a 9-5 unpaid job.

OP, there are a lot of employers & recruitment agencies who will give you a chance based on your interview, and how you answer their questions. Customer Service in a call centre is a key one here. You don't need experience; just a kind and polite manner, with enough competency to answer questions.

A question would be, "how would you deal with an angry customer".

Their not looking for run of the mill answers such as "show empathy". Use the I words. "I will help you today". "I understand that you are frustrated, but I will do everything in my power to ensure that this issue is resolved today". Companies LOVE IT when you take ownership and have the ability to say such things in an interview.

While you may not like customer service, it's a chance on the ladder. Working in a recruitment agency, I see many ex-call centre persons go onto to do Admin / Managerial work. Call Centre's are FANTASTIC for in-house promotions, and there's somebody doing everything, including IT etc.

The_ICT_Engineer

Icematikx wrote: »

It may be currently, but I know they are romping up the stakes very quickly and this could change tomorrow. They are now SET on getting people into voluntary work, as the statistics have shown people quickly get jobs when faced with a 9-5 unpaid job.
.

Where are these statistics? Or are you just quoting figures from the Daily Fail.

zblink00

I got sanctioned for not going into work programme to job search , I then got the sanction overturned .Tell the that you have data protection concenrns and do not wish to share you personal data on there computers . European law states that 'everyone has the right to protcetion of personal data concerning him of her ' (art 8 protection of personal data )

Also mention that there computers have pre accepted privacy cookies that you do not consent to using

Good luck

BillJones

zblink00 wrote: »

I got sanctioned for not going into work programme to job search , I then got the sanction overturned .Tell the that you have data protection concenrns and do not wish to share you personal data on there computers . European law states that 'everyone has the right to protcetion of personal data concerning him of her ' (art 8 protection of personal data )

Also mention that there computers have pre accepted privacy cookies that you do not consent to using

Good luck

Has your awkwardness helped you into work so far?

Icematikx

zblink00 wrote: »

I got sanctioned for not going into work programme to job search , I then got the sanction overturned .Tell the that you have data protection concenrns and do not wish to share you personal data on there computers . European law states that 'everyone has the right to protcetion of personal data concerning him of her ' (art 8 protection of personal data )

Also mention that there computers have pre accepted privacy cookies that you do not consent to using

Good luck

Great advice. Let's all go and sign on with the Job Centre, and claim human rights every time they ask us to do anything. That way we can get away with our free money without doing absolutely anything; because anything we do infringes on our human rights.

krok

The jobcentre did not introduce the work program.

You do not go onto the work program after 6 months.

There are no plans to introduce what you are suggesting.

If the op thinks he is being treated unfairly then he should go through the complaints procedure and explain why.

The work program is not working as half the staff that covers North Yorkshire have been made redundant and they themselves are now facing the dole .

I do wish people would not scaremonger and get their facts correct before posting.

zblink00

Icematikx wrote: »

Great advice. Let's all go and sign on with the Job Centre, and claim human rights every time they ask us to do anything. That way we can get away with our free money without doing absolutely anything; because anything we do infringes on our human rights.

I agree with the op that the work programme is a joke , total waste of money , an I intend to to stop them earning money from me any way I can .Tax payers should also be annoyed with how much the government is wasting there money .I job search at home and do everything I can to find a job .Attending the work programme to job search is not going to improve my chances .The work programme is total corruption , just a way of handing billion of pounds of tax payers money to private companies , anyone with any intelligence can see this .

Ian Duncan Smith should be sacked , he is useless