I can't attend my next JC appointment because I'm working

PH101

I work under 16 hours a week so I still have to sign on every fortnight but the next appointment time they gave me is the same as one of my work shifts.

I explained this to the member of staff making the appointment and asked if I could come in first thing on the morning of that signing day to sign, which is something they've been OK with when this has happened on previous occasions, but this time she just said that it was the first appointment she had available and that I should "have a word" with my employers.

Personally I would think that a four hour work shift would take precedence over a ten minute signing appointment but this particular woman doesn't seem to agree with me. I've got two weeks to sort this by either asking my manager to rearrange two people's shifts or by calling the JC helpline and telling them there's a problem with me attending at that time.

I know my manager would probably be OK with changing things but I don't get the same feeling from this member of the Job Center staff.

pmlindyloo

IMO this is totally unreasonable of your job coach.

I would escalate this to someone higher.

You have offered to come in earlier and to ask your manager to change your shift would inconvenience two other people.

Challenge this.

tomtom256

You're work coach/advisor should be flexible with you, after all they are there to help you get and keep employment.

Raise a complaint with the JCP manager and this should get resolved in you're favour.

sammyjammy

Totally agree, what a joke, if you have trouble getting a name/number just say!

trigger_fish

I had the daft idea that JCP were there to enable people back into work.

How wrong I was.

TELLIT01

The attitude of that member of JC staff makes me despair. Most really do try to be helpful, but you get the occasional real jobsworth who loves to use their power simply because they can.

seven-day-weekend

trigger_fish wrote: »

I had the daft idea that JCP were there to enable people back into work.

How wrong I was.

You were wrong. They are there to make sure you are fulfilling the criteria for claiming Jobseekers' Allowance.

I agree with others, escalate your request to someone higher.