Holiday while on work programme

MovingOnUp

Hi Everyone - I'm new to this board and would like some information please. I am on the Work Programme and have been on it since April this year which means I have been unemployed since April 2013. I just got a holiday form from the Job Centre but before I take it to the work programme I want to make sure they can't decline my holiday. Am I entitled to a holiday or can they say NO?

We are not planning on going away ... don't have any money for that, but just need a break from the work programme. My husband and I have to go in everyday 9:30-12:00 for boot camp then on top of that have to apply for 100 jobs per week. Okay, I'm not complaining really but just need a break.

Grateful for any advice.

iammumtoone

even the JC don't make anyone one apply for 100 jobs every week.

MovingOnUp

Yes, everyone in our group has to apply for 100 jobs per week, keep track of them and send proof (usually email confirmation).

nearlyrich

How do you even find 100 jobs that are suitable every week? What sort of work are you looking for?

MovingOnUp

the 100 jobs per week has been in force for the past 3 weeks, prior to that I had to do 10 which I did a cover letter suitable for each position and made sure my CV pointed out the skills they were looking for. Now with 100 per week I go online to Reed, Indeed, TotalJobs etc and have a standard cover letter and 2 different CVs depending on the job I'm looking for.

I am looking for Project Manager/Support/Administrator or Executive Assistant/PA/Secretary or Administrative jobs. I live in London so there are no shortage of jobs (well after a few more weeks of applying for 100 per week, yes, they will run dry) and I have had several interviews but either they want someone younger that they can train to do what they want OR they think I am more qualified than they are and will set out to take their job.

I feel quite close to getting something but just need a break. My head is spinning at the end of the day from applying to so many jobs on top of all the BS I have to do in their office.

iammumtoone

40 hours per week thats 24 minutes per job application

No one can find a job then write out a quality application every 24 minutes.

MovingOnUp

I agree, they are looking for quantity over quality. I spend 12.5 hours per week in their office and then the rest applying for jobs at home. Apparently they can make us do job search activities for 30 hours per week however we go way over that.

Does anyone know if they can prevent me taking my two week holiday? The Job Centre said if we were still with them we would be entitled to it but they weren't sure if we are entitled to it on the work programme.

Oh, the 12.5 hours spent in their office is not included in the 100 jobs per week as we do other things in that time so it is over and above.

MovingOnUp

Bump ... Does anyone know if the work programme can decline my request for a holiday? If we were still being dealt with at the JobCentre we would be allowed 2 weeks holiday from job searching per year I just want to know if I present the work progamme with the filled in holiday forms if they can reject my request.

Grateful for an answer to the question!

stevemLS

Couple of minutes on google might be your friend.

This is from the provider guidance

Participant has a holiday planned (within GB)
16.
The process for participants taking holidays differs depending on the
17.
All JSA claimant groups are entitled to a total of two weeks
hol
iday within a 12 month period 18. All ESA claimant groups are not limited to the amount of time they are allowed to spend away from home within Great
Bri
tain; also they are not expected to notify yourselves or the Benefit Centre if they go on holiday
1
9. IS and Incapacity Benefit (IB) claimants must notify Jobcentre Plus of the period they will be away and an address where they can be contacted Please Note: For holiday purposes the term ‘Great Britain’ includes: England,
of Scilly, Isle of Wight, Isle of Man and the territorial waters adjacent to Gr
Bri
tain, ‘Great Britain’ does not include The Channel Islands for holiday purposes.
Par
ticipant is going abroad temporarily (including holidays abroad) 20. All JSA (IB) claithe period they are away.
21.
JSA (Contributory [C]) claimants holidaying abroad will also have their claims closed.
22.
If a JSA (C) claimant moves abroad permanently, they may have the rigto claim the remainder of their benefit in the country they move to. Jobcentre Plus will inform you of this change.
23.
ESA claimants can go abroad for a period of have to notify Jobcentre Plus that they are doing so.

MovingOnUp

Thank you stevemLS. So it looks like the work programme cannot decline my request. That confirmation is reassuring.

pmlindyloo

If I am reading this correctly

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/340678/wp-pg-chapter-5.pdf

then you tell the Job Centre that you are going on holiday (I believe that you have to complete a form) and they then notify the work programme provider of the change of circumstances.

Of course you can tell the work programme yourself as well (after you complete the form) but you should do it correctly so all the paperwork is completed. Otherwise your JSA claim could be messed up.