Job Centre - doh! You failed.

[Bri w]

Dearest sister gets made redundant, and goes and signs on knowing she isn't entitled to anything other than they need to know she is unemployed.

Being principled she gets off her ar5e and applies for a million and one jobs + signs up for 3 training courses, which she pays for without even asking for help.

Goes to the job centre today to sign on and is told she can only do one training course at a time even though she is paying for them. JC, "if you are on training courses you are not available for work." Response, "if I get a job offer I'll come off the courses." JC, "sorry, you can't do more than one course at a time." Response, "You're not paying me anything. You're not paying for the courses. The courses don't clash. I've said I'll come off the courses if I get a job." JC, "sorry, its againt the rules."

Job Centre, you fail.

[andrewsmith]

Bri that sounds familiar

I've had 3 weeks of arguments to get a piece of paper to prove my status, and to get clarification if I could leave a job I've been laid off from.

JC- Just a double check while you're on the phone; are you still laid off from xxxxxx Mr Smith? As you stated it was a temporary lay off.
Response- Nope, Its now x weeks and has been told there is very little chance of work.
JC- Have you considered leaving the post?
Response- Yes, but won't that then affect my claim as I have made myself unemployed?
JC- I could see no issue with that, as its been such a long time.
Response- Right thank you for that clarity.

6 Days Later

Q- I'm wanting to double check if I could leave the employment that I am laid off from? As I've been told there would be no issue.

JC- Whoever told you that is talking utter S***e (actual words!)

Response- That was one of your claim handlers

JC- I apologise for that duff info Mr Smith, the only way you can leave is if your formally finished.

Response- Snort of Laughter, ne chance of that!


Job Centre You Fail AGAIN!!!
Glad I double checked before I did go to quit!

Rant over!

When I was made redundant 5 years ago, I went to the JC with the same principal as your sister, not to claim anything but just to make sure that I was doing everything correct. I had another job starting but there was a 6 week gap, so when they asked if I was actively seeking work I truthfully said no, as I had a job just not yet. Well, you'd have thought I'd told them I had stolen a few k in money. I actually came out of there in tears. Went and got advice from Citizens advice in the end, they were brilliant, told me not to go back to the JC.
Horrible people.

Are the courses arranged via the job centre, or direct? If direct tell her to tell them to **** off. What are they going to do, stop her jobseekers allowance?

[Biker Biggles]

Bl00dy Gordon Brown.
Cant wait till hee's gone.

[andrewsmith]

Originally Posted by -Ralph-

Are the courses arranged via the job centre, or direct? If direct tell her to tell them to **** off. What are they going to do, stop her jobseekers allowance?

If she's got them direct, the JC aint got a leg to stand on.

I'm all but expecting to be pushed on a training course on the 13th of Jan (back to work group session- In English I'll sit there for an hour ask the most annoying Q's then be asked if I've got a CV; Yes which one?).

I've got a direct course that I've paid for out of my own pocket, so i'm digging in if they push

[MisterTommyH]

TBF they are that used to dealing with the rubbish that is doing everything that they can to avoid any kind of work the staff don't have much experiance with those who want to do the right thing.

And a lot of the knowledge only comes with experiance - which staff don't tend to get as they have a very high turn over rate.

I used to work for another part of the DWP (same department as the JC) and the pay was rubbish, the support was rubbish and I lasted about 18 months before deciding I had to do something with my life.

[Bri w]

Originally Posted by -Ralph-

Are the courses arranged via the job centre, or direct? If direct tell her to tell them to **** off. What are they going to do, stop her jobseekers allowance?

They're training courses she's sourced herself, and they coincide with the voluntary work she's been doing. Voluntary work that supports the Social Services, and saves the Local Authority a fortune.

Originally Posted by Bri w

They're training courses she's sourced herself, and they coincide with the voluntary work she's been doing. Voluntary work that supports the Social Services, and saves the Local Authority a fortune.

JC have got bugger all to do with it then. She isn't in receipt of Jobseekers Allowance so they have no powers to tell her how she spends her money or what she does with her time. The person dealing at the JC is confusing her with someone who is on Jobseekers Allowance.

[yorkie_chris]

Why does she need to tell them she's unemployed? Can you still buy the minimum NI stamp and avoid dealing with idiots?