JSA - Do You Have to Take Job if Offered

densol_2

I have some sympathy OP. I once went for an interview for a job which I genuinely thought was 18 hours a week and that " matched " the salary. When I got there I found out it was 28 hours a week - so almost full time so the wage was not what I was qualified for. I just made up an excuse afterwards that I couldnt take up employment at the moment as I knew they would offer me the job ! ( I wasnt on JSA though )

sangie595

pennypincher3562 wrote: »

I am well aware of these things Shel - I've worked for over 20 years solid, and paid a huge amount in tax. I'm pretty confident up to this stage, I've given more to the state, than they have given me.

I really don't think it's fair that you could get sanctioned due to being sacked after 'poor performance.' Many modern jobs are highly demanding, and in many cases it may not be your fault if you 'don't make the grade,' particularly if you were coerced into the job in the first place.

It also seems a bit rotten to be pushed into any old job, in order to receive a pittance in JSA (basically a tiny part of the tax I've paid is being given back to me.)

It doesn't seem right, especially when some people who don't deserve it are getting things 'handed to them on a plate.'



Cheers
PennyPincher3562

Your tax is not an insurance policy - however much you have paid in tax has no relevance to whether you meet the criteria for JSA. And refusing employment, whether you are "the right fit" or not, is not something you are given a choice about. It may not be fair in your eyes, but this is what it is. You are not forced to claim benefits. You may choose to do as you wish and not claim them.

And as for thinking that you deserve be paid benefits when other people aren't (in your view) - well plenty of people would say that if you aren't prepared to take whatever work is offered, then you don't deserve benefits either. But then, there are some who say that all the unemployed are scroungers too. More than a few of them seem to be running the country right now. Perhaps, when in a glass house, you might be careful where you chuck your stones?

devilivus

pennypincher3562 wrote: »

It doesn't seem right, especially when some people who don't deserve it are getting things 'handed to them on a plate.'



Cheers
PennyPincher3562

Them people know how to 'play the game'! Don't take a job you don't want, but don't give them a reason to sanction you.
Play smart.

pennypincher3562

_shel wrote: »

Ring the advertiser and ask more questions about the role?

This is probably what I would have done 20 years ago, but things have changed.

I am noticing that a lot of the jobs posted on the main job hunting websites are 'partly anonymous' i.e. they don't provide any phone number, contact name, or office location.

Yes I could go and do some spy work, and track them down. However I think they are omitting their contact details for a reason. I don't think they want contacted to be honest.

Cheers
PennyPincher3562

[Deleted User]

pennypincher3562 wrote: »

This is probably what I would have done 20 years ago, but things have changed.

I am noticing that a lot of the jobs posted on the main job hunting websites are 'partly anonymous' i.e. they don't provide any phone number, contact name, or office location.

Yes I could go and do some spy work, and track them down. However I think they are omitting their contact details for a reason. I don't think they want contacted to be honest.

Cheers
PennyPincher3562

Then dont apply? Apply for something else that does lead to a contact or you seem more suited to.

I wouldnt be applying for things I didnt want to do. Plenty of other jobs to apply for.

pennypincher3562

Hi Shel

I am feeling pressurised to apply for a set number of jobs. I am supposed to be putting in '30 hours a week' of job searching.

One of the issues I face is that there are very few jobs in the profession that I worked in for 20 years. You could normally count the number of vacancies on one hand (and of course I may not be suited for all of them.)

So basically to get my 73 quid a week I am having to apply for 'whatever.'

I really don't know how they would react if I turned up with only 5 applications in 2 weeks?

Cheers
PennyPincher3562

dodger1

pennypincher3562 wrote: »

Hi Roger


Thanks for clarifying. I've only been signing on for 2 weeks and am still trying to clarify how the system works.

Do you think it's fair to say that once you start claiming JSA, you lose total control over your own job search. Or is that a bit of an extreme interpretation? That's the picture I'm getting from some of the responses on MSE.

Thanks
PennyPincher3562

Not at all. I was made redundant twice in my working career, both times I took the first job I was offered just to keep the money coming in. I then continued my own search for a job I was actually interested in.

pennypincher3562

sangie595 wrote: »

Y
And as for thinking that you deserve be paid benefits when other people aren't.

I never said 'that I deserve to be paid benefits, whilst others don't.'

I've no problem at all however in saying that I am against people exploiting the benefits system, and making things worse for the genuine people who claim benefits.

Frankly the situation in this country is increasingly ridiculous, as people fly in to claim benefits, while those who have worked and saved all their lives end up at the bottom of the pile.

Cheers
PennyPincher3562

pennypincher3562

dodger1 wrote: »

Not at all. I was made redundant twice in my working career, both times I took the first job I was offered just to keep the money coming in. I then continued my own search for a job I was actually interested in.

Hi Dodger

I've been through all this myself. I have had more jobs than I can count over 2 decades. I have personally experienced all these scenarios.

However, I still think to be coerced into a job is a bad idea - especially if it's a professional/specialist job. In order to pull off many high level jobs, you can't just be in it 'for the money.' Many companies are looking for loyalty, not someone who thinks they will work for 6 months then disappear to a better opportunity.

I know far a fact this is true, as one of my previous bosses told me 'We don't want people who are in this job just for the money.' This is quite a common theme in modern business philosophy.

Cheers
PennyPincher3562

GwylimT

I remember when I was on JSA you could turn down a job if it was less than ten hours a week or more than 60 minutes from your home as the crow flies. That was a long time ago though!