JSA new claim - is signing up to Universal Jobmatch compulsory?

gettingready

As per title, is signing up to Universal Jobmatch compulsory?

Adviser at JC told my friend today that he MUST sign up to Universal Jobmatch and to give adviser access to some part of it called "notes" where my friend should keep notes of jobs applied for/searches done and adviser will be able to check those.

Strange as Universal Jobmatch is a very unlikely place to find a job at all and if he applies for a job via other means - he is expected to copy his application details into some notes part of this dreaded website.

I am not familiar with JSA or universal Jobmatch website so can someone advise please?

Also he was told he will have to sign on weekly - is this standard nowadays?

Thanks a lot

Flyonthewall

While the Universal Jobmatch isn't a great site and it does have some dodgy jobs and jobs listed that probably don't exist, I wouldn't say it's an unlikely place to find a job. They take job listings from other sites too.

Anyway, your friend does not have to give them permission to access his account. They can't force your friend to do so, it's against the data protection act.

They will, however, have to prove they are applying for jobs. So they'll either have to print out proof and/or write down what jobs they are applying for.

You usually sign on weekly to start with and later on it'll become every two weeks.

MsBlonde

I've recently signed on, whilst signing up to UJM is mandated on your agreement, you don't have to give them access to it...

However my job center seems to hate UJM and prefer me to write my job search down. She did tell me to login every now and then even if I don't use it because they have been known to check and if you're not using it, will give them an excuse... I did wonder how they would check if I was using it without access... but nevermind lol

Flyonthewall

MsBlonde wrote: »

I did wonder how they would check if I was using it without access... but nevermind lol

Systems can usually tell you when a person has logged onto a website or specific programme. A site like that will have a database behind it.

The site uses tracking cookies and, as the name suggests, they track you lol. If you don't give them permission you limit them but that doesn't mean they don't know anything at all.

PolaBear

Depends who you get on any day, have been times now and been told....

It's not something you have to use, just keep the notes on there

It's the same as Monster anyway (already on there)

You have to have the box ticked to allow them to see it

You have to put a CV up on there

MsBlonde

PolaBear wrote: »

Depends who you get on any day, have been times now and been told....

It's not something you have to use, just keep the notes on there

It's the same as Monster anyway (already on there)

You have to have the box ticked to allow them to see it

You have to put a CV up on there

I got told to upload my CV to there, so they could get it, then I pointed out they already had my CV (I had printed it out and given it to them the first meeting I attended), so didn't have to upload my CV

gettingready

Thanks everyone - will pass the info on.

But I remember seeing some posts on here stating that registering with UJM and / or giving JC access to it was NOT mandatory - with some links proving that?

It is one thing to bring in a list of "activities" to an appointment and quite another to give anyone access.

Personally I would not give anyone access to any online activity and not surprised my friend is reluctant too.

Flyonthewall

PolaBear wrote: »

Depends who you get on any day, have been times now and been told....

It's not something you have to use, just keep the notes on there

It's the same as Monster anyway (already on there)

You have to have the box ticked to allow them to see it

You have to put a CV up on there

What they tell you and what's true are two different things lol.

Keeping notes on there is using it. However, you do not have to keep notes on there. They have job diaries you can fill out instead and you can take print screens and print off emails for proof if needed.

You do not have to tick the box to allow them to see and they can't force you, it's against the data protection act.

The site was designed by the same people who created the Monster site. It's not exactly the same though.

gettingready

Flyonthewall wrote: »

You do not have to tick the box to allow them to see and they can't force you, it's against the data protection act.

And where could I find official info on that please?

Flyonthewall

gettingready wrote: »

Thanks everyone - will pass the info on.

But I remember seeing some posts on here stating that registering with UJM and / or giving JC access to it was NOT mandatory - with some links proving that?

Just look up the data protection act. If you even just state that it's against that then that should be enough really to stop them trying to force you to give permission (although if you have a bad advisor or different advisors each time you may have to repeat that each time you go).

Also on the Universal Jobmatch (under Help) it says this:

"Q: What are the benefits of giving DWP access to my account? A: If you are claiming a work related benefit, you can select the checkbox that allows your DWP Adviser / Work Coach to view your account to support you with your job search, skills and training."


It doesn't say you must.

Flyonthewall

gettingready wrote: »

And where could I find official info on that please?

The data protection act can be found here:
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1998/29/contents