Left job after one day.

KirstyM91_

I was made redundant last month - after having only been there for just under two years - and started claiming JSA two weeks ago. I saw a job advertised online, interviewed and got it (but didn't want it). The job was permanent (pending three months probation). The job was terrible, a small office adjoining a warehouse, and required quite a commute. It was admin, but mind numbingly easy and dull compared with my previous role (I've worked in banking for a few years), and the lady who interviewed me did as good as tell me i was 'overqualified' when i met her.

So i left after a day. The company still want to pay me for the day I worked though. If they pay me, will DWP find out and sanction me? Would that be benefit fraud? Also, if i tell the job centre that i quit after one day will they stop my JSA anyway?

**Sorry if my actions offend anyone. I know how it must sound that quiting a job after one day and claiming benefits. In my defence this is the first time in my life that i've claimed and i have been 'paying in' for almost ten years.**

pmlindyloo

KirstyM91_ wrote: »

I was made redundant last month - after having only been there for just under two years - and started claiming JSA two weeks ago. I saw a job advertised online, interviewed and got it (but didn't want it). The job was permanent (pending three months probation). The job was terrible, a small office adjoining a warehouse, and required quite a commute. It was admin, but mind numbingly easy and dull compared with my previous role (I've worked in banking for a few years), and the lady who interviewed me did as good as tell me i was 'overqualified' when i met her.

So i left after a day. The company still want to pay me for the day I worked though. If they pay me, will DWP find out and sanction me? Would that be benefit fraud? Also, if i tell the job centre that i quit after one day will they stop my JSA anyway?

**Sorry if my actions offend anyone. I know how it must sound that quiting a job after one day and claiming benefits. In my defence this is the first time in my life that i've claimed and i have been 'paying in' for almost ten years.**

If you leave a job voluntarily for no good reason then you may be sanctioned.

You mention travelling time. If it was more than 90 mins form home to work then this may constitute a good reason. See

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/626756/dmgch34.pdf

Each case is looked at individually. I do no know whether the fact that you have been claiming JSA for only two weeks gives you any leeway as regards what kind of jobs you needed to apply for. What was in your job commitment?

Are you single? Are you claiming contribution based JSA and therefore do not have to claim Universal Credit? (Most single unemployed people are now having to claim Universal Credit)

Your earnings for that day will be deducted (minus a £5 disregard) from your JSA for that week.

KirstyM91_

pmlindyloo wrote: »

If you leave a job voluntarily for no good reason then you may be sanctioned.

You mention travelling time. If it was more than 90 mins form home to work then this may constitute a good reason. See


Each case is looked at individually. I do no know whether the fact that you have been claiming JSA for only two weeks gives you any leeway as regards what kind of jobs you needed to apply for. What was in your job commitment?

Are you single? Are you claiming contribution based JSA and therefore do not have to claim Universal Credit? (Most single unemployed people are now having to claim Universal Credit)

Your earnings for that day will be deducted (minus a £5 disregard) from your JSA for that week.

Thanks for your reply. I was told i can't cliam Universal Credit due to how much I have in savings (which has also led to a slight deduction from my weekly JSA). If I tell the company I don't wish to be paid for the day's work and don't notify the job centre of the job at all is there any way they can find out?

GlasweJen

KirstyM91_ wrote: »

Thanks for your reply. I was told i can't cliam Universal Credit due to how much I have in savings (which has also led to a slight deduction from my weekly JSA). If I tell the company I don't wish to be paid for the day's work and don't notify the job centre of the job at all is there any way they can find out?

It's illegal to not pay someone for work when a contract exists to say that it's a paid position. The work are very unlikely to put themselves at risk of being investigated by the government for failing to pay minimum wage or pay taxes due on your earning so I don't think you're going to get away with this.

pmlindyloo

GlasweJen wrote: »

It's illegal to not pay someone for work when a contract exists to say that it's a paid position. The work are very unlikely to put themselves at risk of being investigated by the government for failing to pay minimum wage or pay taxes due on your earning so I don't think you're going to get away with this.

Plus, local authorities work with Real Time Information from HMRC so there is a fair chance that your earnings would be flagged up.

Best to 'fess up' and take the hit.

KirstyM91_

GlasweJen wrote: »

It's illegal to not pay someone for work when a contract exists to say that it's a paid position. The work are very unlikely to put themselves at risk of being investigated by the government for failing to pay minimum wage or pay taxes due on your earning so I don't think you're going to get away with this.

Really? I thought this sort of thing was quite common? In my previous jobs I've seen loads of temps turn up for one day and then never return. Or is it different with temps/agency workers?

pmlindyloo

KirstyM91_ wrote: »

Really? I thought this sort of thing was quite common? In my previous jobs I've seen loads of temps turn up for one day and then never return. Or is it different with temps/agency workers?

Employers usually have contracts with agencies and then the agency pays the salary.

I am not sure what your point is here?

In the end you do what you want to do. We cannot encourage you to commit fraud by not declaring your earnings.

Whether your ex employer would go along with not paying you is something you will have to find out for yourself.

KirstyM91_

pmlindyloo wrote: »

Employers usually have contracts with agencies and then the agency pays the salary.

I am not sure what your point is here?

In the end you do what you want to do. We cannot encourage you to commit fraud by not declaring your earnings.

Whether your ex employer would go along with not paying you is something you will have to find out for yourself.

I wasn't trying to make a point i was just enquiring about something i had no prior knowledge of. I was actually very surprised that the company wanted to pay me at all, i assumed if you left after one day that that was that?

sammyjammy

You worked the hours then they owe you the pay. Just tell the Jobcentre that you worked for one day, give them the info and that's the end of it.

Hope you don't wish you had that job in six months time! Surely its better than being unemployed, you could have used it until you found something more suitable.