Turning down an interview on UC

Jedraith

I have just become unemployed and have had 9 interviews since August with no job offers. I have an interview set up for next week for a role that I want, and have picked up some work as a temp. 

Today I had notification for a job interview for a job that I applied for however its not something I want to pursue - it's fixed term and work from home (I have not coped well mentally with work from home). I noted the application down in my UC journal when I applied for it, but not that I got an interview off the back of it. I have not actually signed my claimant commitment contract and have not been allocated a job coach as of yet as my application is still being processed, so am I bound by the terms of UC? I'm not going to be paid anything for this month from UC as I am still awaiting my last payment from my previous job and the temp work I picked up. Are the job centre likely to check up on my applications?

Also with GDPR, how does the JC actually check on applications because surely data is protected?

silverwhistle

Gilly, best to start your own thread rather than mucky the waters of the OPs. There's some reasonable expertise here so keeping the issues separate helps those answering.

elsien

You could go for the interview anyway for interview practice. You don’t have to accept the role if it’s offered -DWP weren’t checking prior to COVID so I’m pretty sure they won’t be now. 

Jedraith

The interview is with the place I used to work albeit in a different dept and I really didn't enjoy working there, to the point I hated logging on in the morning. Since finishing that contract, I haven't been too bad in picking up temp work and have been really enjoying it but I don't want to be sanctioned for something that is not good for me to take. 

donnajunkie

I am not familiar with uc so cant say 100% but i have never heard of the jobcentre contacting employers you apply to independantly. If it were a job found through the jobcentre they might. If you are really worried you could just go along to suss it out if its still clear you still arent interested then just dont be too impressive in the interview but avoid it being too obvious that you are sabotaging it.

Jedraith

I've not even got a job centre advisor so I don't think there would be anyone to check on me. I'm just worried. It wasn't through the JC that I found it - found it independently.
The temp work I have been doing has really improved my mental health and I'm really enjoying it. 

donnajunkie

Jedraith said:

I've not even got a job centre advisor so I don't think there would be anyone to check on me. I'm just worried. It wasn't through the JC that I found it - found it independently.
The temp work I have been doing has really improved my mental health and I'm really enjoying it. 

Well i would be confident that they wont check. Are you getting much contact from the jc at the moment? Hopefully people with experience of claiming uc will be able to put your mind at rest.

[Deleted User]

If you are working and making applications to satisfy the system then I don't see the bother. In last week of January this year I had second interview on the Monday and another second interview somewhere else on the Wednesday morning, I for whatever silly reason known to me accepted to squeeze in a 6 month fixed term interview on the Wednesday afternoon which once I got into the building I was absolutely confident I then had to bail from (history with the announced interviewer and I'm not a believer you forget someone's name easily) I didn't half cross my fingers that one of the offers came though as I got out of that interview waiting area as fast as I could and also the week before said no thanks to an ex employer who was offering 2 months work. Because it wouldn't have been fair to mess that Employer around trying to go to other interviews when he had the work I knew he wanted absolute commitment for and it would have meant pulling out of all applications I'd made which in turn became a strength with the Employers I seeked long term work from. You have to look after yourself when it comes to the state.

Jedraith

I'm picking up temp work wherever I can and have other interviews in the pipeline. I'm applying for a lot of roles within my area
I'm getting absolutely no contact from the JC at the moment - I haven't been contacted by phone or given a job advisor yet. 

donnajunkie

Deleted User said:

If you are working and making applications to satisfy the system then I don't see the bother. In last week of January this year I had second interview on the Monday and another second interview somewhere else on the Wednesday morning, I for whatever silly reason known to me accepted to squeeze in a 6 month fixed term interview on the Wednesday afternoon which once I got into the building I was absolutely confident I then had to bail from (history with the announced interviewer and I'm not a believer you forget someone's name easily) I didn't half cross my fingers that one of the offers came though as I got out of that interview waiting area as fast as I could and also the week before said no thanks to an ex employer who was offering 2 months work. Because it wouldn't have been fair to mess that Employer around trying to go to other interviews when he had the work I knew he wanted absolute commitment for and it would have meant pulling out of all applications I'd made which in turn became a strength with the Employers I seeked long term work from. You have to look after yourself when it comes to the state.

You do need to keep in mind that dwp have a stance that you cant turn down a job without good reason. Also dont assume just because you think its a good reason that they will. That is why it is best to hide whatever you can to protect yourself and keep as much of your own destiny in your control as possible. This all needs to be one without looking suss and making sure you appear to be doing as required.