seetec community work programme

red_devil

your placement is meant to benefit you as well its says in their paperwork so you could argue that its not helping.

Remember its nothing about helping you into work its about sanctioning you and cutting the numbers down on benefit. Good news is that most sanctions are overturned on appeal. Lack of health and safety is a real issue so check the shop out.

emilywalker

Flyonthewall wrote: »

So there's 8 people in the shop, I assume one person is always on the till (as the first rule should be to never leave it unattended)?

If 7 or 8 people are just standing around how is it you have nothing to do? Charity shops don't run themselves, there's always things to sort, items to price, clothes to steam, shelves to tidy. Instead of asking, why not just start doing them jobs rather than just joining in the others in standing around because the place doesn't seem fussed? Do it for yourself if nothing else.

Is there someone there overlooking things? A manager or assistant manager? It shouldn't just be volunteers from the WP. If so what do they do all day or are they standing around too?

Yes there is normally someone on the till, they seem to want us (from jobcentre) to work the till which not a lot of us are confident with that, but its good experience. I don't just stand around, I cant stand just doing nothing all day chatting, Id rather do things, which I do in the shop, but there are a lot in the shop most from this WP, just a bit silly sending so many to one shop.

missbiggles1

emilywalker wrote: »

Yes there is normally someone on the till, they seem to want us (from jobcentre) to work the till which not a lot of us are confident with that, but its good experience. I don't just stand around, I cant stand just doing nothing all day chatting, Id rather do things, which I do in the shop, but there are a lot in the shop most from this WP, just a bit silly sending so many to one shop.

I agree that sending that number seems silly but it would allow someone to stand out from the crowd because of their attitude, work ethic and ability - you just need to make sure that person is you!

Good luck.

tomtontom

emilywalker wrote: »

Yes there is normally someone on the till, they seem to want us (from jobcentre) to work the till which not a lot of us are confident with that, but its good experience. I don't just stand around, I cant stand just doing nothing all day chatting, Id rather do things, which I do in the shop, but there are a lot in the shop most from this WP, just a bit silly sending so many to one shop.

If you're not confident in using a till you need to ask for training. Ask if there is a retail training scheme you can be referred to, some of them will guarantee you a job interview if you pass the course.

Flyonthewall

emilywalker wrote: »

Yes there is normally someone on the till, they seem to want us (from jobcentre) to work the till which not a lot of us are confident with that, but its good experience. I don't just stand around, I cant stand just doing nothing all day chatting, Id rather do things, which I do in the shop, but there are a lot in the shop most from this WP, just a bit silly sending so many to one shop.

Working on tills is the best experience if planning on going into retail.

Tills aren't difficult to use. Just a case of knowing which things to press for the most part. Bit more to it if it has the option for cards. It probably tells you how much change to give so no worries with working that out. They should be giving you training on how to use it and if they're not then ask them for training.

Agreed that it's silly to have so many in one shop, but in the end it's up to them if they wish to stand around chatting. If you don't want to then do something.

asajj

It depends on the charity shop too, some of them will have space so they can have 7-8 volunteers at the same time while some others won't. Also of course some receives more donations and there will be more sorting - the one I go on Saturdays is desperate for more volunteers for instance because it is in a major suburb and receives around 200 bags each week.

red_devil

whats the charity so we can report them for taking people on workfare. Its hardly good for their image. Many don't want to know. Charitys are meant to help people not be involved in their sanctioning,

you are meant to be supervised too at your placement, you need to really read up on your rights and the rules of Cwp its all available online.

Flyonthewall

red_devil wrote: »

whats the charity so we can report them for taking people on workfare. Its hardly good for their image. Many don't want to know. Charitys are meant to help people not be involved in their sanctioning,

you are meant to be supervised too at your placement, you need to really read up on your rights and the rules of Cwp its all available online.

Yeah, how darest a charity relying heavily on volunteers take in people who should want experience! And to work with a company who is making it easier for them to get volunteers...terrible.

While the people at the actual charity don't seem to care much the decision to take them most likely came from further up in the charity and the people there should want to gain experience to help them get work.

It's wrong the way WP treat people and force them to go to such places, but the charities aren't at fault. They have nothing at all to do with any sanctioning.

The issue is with the JC wanting to get rid of people and appear to be doing something and the WP trying to get money and appear to be helping so the JC continue contracting them.

They're possibly not being trained properly to use the till, but there's been nothing to say they're not being supervised. Not really sure you need to be supervised when you're standing around chatting anyhow...

asajj

red_devil wrote: »

whats the charity so we can report them for taking people on workfare. Its hardly good for their image. Many don't want to know. Charitys are meant to help people not be involved in their sanctioning,

you are meant to be supervised too at your placement, you need to really read up on your rights and the rules of Cwp its all available online.

Your attitude is priceless.

tomtontom

red_devil wrote: »

whats the charity so we can report them for taking people on workfare. Its hardly good for their image. Many don't want to know. Charitys are meant to help people not be involved in their sanctioning,

you are meant to be supervised too at your placement, you need to really read up on your rights and the rules of Cwp its all available online.

The Jobcentre can get you support with basic literacy skills red devil, if you think that might be helpful?