Jobcentre

[fowler9]

I used to work for the Job centre and I always did what I could for people. There were a lot of issues though and they don't treat their staff that brilliantly so you sort of expect issues. That probably explains why I bailed out in favour of the railways - far better. The one time I did sign on was 2008. Despite being a 19 year old drop out, the adviser left me alone and I had a job inside 8 weeks. I've since got several other jobs on my own terms so they are certainly out there.

The jobs are of course out there but I wouldn't over simplify that to be honest mate. No one knos your situation and you don't know everyone elses. Also that staff in my job centre are excellent, in the sense that they are pretty friendly, work hard and seem to be aware that I am doing my utmost to get a job. And as someone said earlier, the security staff are insanely friendly at my place as well.
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I never really had a problem with using Universal Jobmatch to record my job hunt on (Even though the jobs advertised on there are pointless applying for) and as if to take the mick I can't log in to it to record the 5 jobs I've applied for today by other means! Ha ha.

 

[poshfan]

One of the things I am getting at is if there are 2 million without work and they all apply for 3 jobs per week that's 6 million applications each week but there is not that many jobs. It could be possible for a company looking for 1 person to end up with 10000 applying to get there dole.

When this happens and it's for an unskilled job, or a job requiring a minimal amount of training, it's common practice to pick a manageable number for a shortlist either entirely at random, or by some arbitrary criteria. I have a friend who is a delivery driver who, before starting his round one day, was given about a hundred written applications for a new driver by his boss and told to select about a dozen that had nice handwriting on the envelope and bin the rest.

 

[fowler9]

When this happens and it's for an unskilled job, or a job requiring a minimal amount of training, it's common practice to pick a manageable number for a shortlist either entirely at random, or by some arbitrary criteria. I have a friend who is a delivery driver who, before starting his round one day, was given about a hundred written applications for a new driver by his boss and told to select about a dozen that had nice handwriting on the envelope and bin the rest.

I know for a fact that that happened in a lot of other professions. I've seen the applications going in the bin without being read purely on handwriting and at times address! Not 100% sure how they filter out online applications but have any of you heard about "White Writing"? You send in your CV and then in white font against a white back ground you randomly type in phrases from the key attributes in a job description and a computerised sift will pick you out even though it isn't what is visible on your black and white CV.

 

[BlythPower]

The most vulnerable are often those in work on low wages, not necessarily the "UB40" brigade

I was thinking more of the disabled than Ali Campbell.

 

[GatwickDepress]

If you haven't already go to your local Citizens Advice Bureau or a local Welfare Rights team.

Apologies for bumping the dead thread, I didn't want to be rude and act as if I never saw your post. I took your advice and contacted a local charitable organisation who deal with this sort of thing... Thank you and fingers crossed!

 

[fowler9]

Apologies for bumping the dead thread, I didn't want to be rude and act as if I never saw your post. I took your advice and contacted a local charitable organisation who deal with this sort of thing... Thank you and fingers crossed!

Hope you get sorted mate.

 

[GatwickDepress]

Hope you get sorted mate.

Cheers Fowler. Looking at it from an semi-optimistic viewpoint, it can only improve.

 

[fowler9]

Cheers Fowler. Looking at it from an semi-optimistic viewpoint, it can only improve.

Keep your chin up mate. I've been on JSA now for 6 months and I know what its like reading about benefit scroungers and the tories rabbiting on about hard working families, yadda yadda, when all you want to do is get a job.If you'd told me 20 odd years ago when I was doing my A Levels or my degree that this was going to happen I would have laughed. Things will get better.

 

[island]

I have some sympathy for the Jobcentre. Some, but by no means all or even most, of their "clients" are trying it on, and they have difficulty distinguishing them from the people who are genuine.

 

[fowler9]

I have some sympathy for the Jobcentre. Some, but by no means all or even most, of their "clients" are trying it on, and they have difficulty distinguishing them from the people who are genuine.

I don't think they have that much difficulty. It is frankly blatantly obvious who is taking the mick with a tiny number of people in the middle who they struggle to filter out. In my job centre at least they seem to go out of their way not to sanction people. The depressing thing over the last 3 years has been seeing the increasing number of people who are obviously looking for work.

 

[Darandio]

The depressing thing over the last 3 years has been seeing the increasing number of people who are obviously looking for work.

That is the issue, and I really don't think it's easy for the Jobcentre staff at all these days. Several years ago I used to work for Pertemps and even then we were taking on extra clients that the Jobcentre couldn't handle but it was nowhere near the figures today..

The problem today is the sheer numbers. At one time, your fortnightly appointment would probably be at least 15 minutes, they would check your jobsearch book and physically look at vacancies with you, there were sometimes ones you may have missed and their time was productive towards getting people into employment. Fast forward to today, our Jobcentre is on a constant 5 minute appointment cycle, they check your jobsearch, you sign for your money and you're gone.

No doubt the majority prefer the latter, but it's not the helpful service it once was.

 

[Butts]

I have some sympathy for the Jobcentre. Some, but by no means all or even most, of their "clients" are trying it on, and they have difficulty distinguishing them from the people who are genuine.

How do the people who are "trying it on" get away with it , not just JSA claimants but other benefits as well.

Do they just "front it out" and get away with it ?

Secondly if people have JSA sanctioned what other sources of money are available to them from the state?

 

[fowler9]

That is the issue, and I really don't think it's easy for the Jobcentre staff at all these days. Several years ago I used to work for Pertemps and even then we were taking on extra clients that the Jobcentre couldn't handle but it was nowhere near the figures today..

The problem today is the sheer numbers. At one time, your fortnightly appointment would probably be at least 15 minutes, they would check your jobsearch book and physically look at vacancies with you, there were sometimes ones you may have missed and their time was productive towards getting people into employment. Fast forward to today, our Jobcentre is on a constant 5 minute appointment cycle, they check your jobsearch, you sign for your money and you're gone.

No doubt the majority prefer the latter, but it's not the helpful service it once was.

It depends how you look at it. I have found the staff very helpful, they always sort me out with travel costs if needed and have helped me get on courses. At the same time I think they know who is trying it on quite easily, I have heard a couple of people while I have been waiting who have been pretty blatant.
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How do the people who are "trying it on" get away with it , not just JSA claimants but other benefits as well.

Do they just "front it out" and get away with it ?

Secondly if people have JSA sanctioned what other sources of money are available to them from the state?

I believe that if you get sanctioned you can claim a hardship loan but only after 2 weeks. It isn't something I have ever had to resort to as they have never had reason t sanction me nor would I expect them to do so. That said, sh*t happens.