Now hang on a minute - Jeff said "I was immediately instructed to leave". Isn't that the sack, notice period or not? And he has this in writing along with some unsavoury comments? Jeff, if you have a chance to resolve this, and can afford it, go for it. See a solicitor. I'm actually pleased to hear you got out, I didn't, after 3 years of bullying, I had a complete mental breakdown. It cost the company dearly. But it was not easy, especially the state I ended up in. Better you got out before you had a breakdown, now you still have all your marbles at least, you are in a better position to deal with this creature. Some people would just walk away, but then another person, like myself, would spend years fretting and regretting, and that's not healthy either. You have to do what is right for you and if you know you have been wronged, and you can afford it, you go get 'em before they actually make someone seriously ill. Good luck.

Lucky you living there. I suspect your hills are bigger than mine and they must keep you super fit. I could argue that we have Jurassic Coast here in Dorset, and there are some right good ole hills along there alright, trouble is the path is getting ever more unstable, and it gives me the heebie jeebies, so I don't go there any more! Taz will play with a frisbie, but he's a tennis ball boy at heart. He doesn't like it when it flips back and sticks on his nose! I can just imagine your boy stretching out full length in mid air to reach that Frisbie!

What a lucky boy finding you as his forever home. Would you say 913 ft above sea level is a good hill? Taz loved it on Sunday, highest point on Cranborne Chase apparently, very windy, which makes him go loopy. I nearly died of course, but never mind, the dog loved it! Its like their made of elastic isn't it! I still recommend every border collie owner gets dragged over the A frame! Its a character building experience - if you can get over the embarrassment of forgetting to drop the lead in front of a huge crowd you'll get over anything! Oh and ladies, never, ever, wear a bloody skirt near an A frame with a collie on the other end of your lead!

What a dazzler he's turned into! You must be very proud of him and what you have achieved. Have you been dragged up the A frame on the agility course yet or is that little treat still to come?

1 bed flat, 2 adults. Combined bill monthly with British Gas is £108. Gas heating, hot water shower and bath , cooker. Electric - washing machine, dishwasher, shower, tumble dryer, computer, TV. Just starting to slip into debit with them where I think the bills went up but not my DD's.

Agree 100% Ocelot. My friend spends her entire life sorting out (rehabbing) so called viscious dogs. Its rarely the dog, its mostly the owner who has to be taught to have confidence and authority with kindness. And I believe that most "problem" dogs are suffering from "fear aggression" which is something they have learnt from their owners reaction to other dogs. "Dogs are like their owners" and we all think of the girl with the outrageous perm standing next to her primped up poodle! Not so, the saying means that dogs can take on their owners personality, so if you like 15 pints and a punch up several times a week, perhaps this type of dog is not for you! That's a great story about a vastly misunderstood breed. Dogs only want to please their owners, so if you tell/teach your pit bull to kill someone, he probably will.

Well Synergy, I don't know what you will do about it, but I fully understand why you want to do this. Not necessarily over debt, but other things, many times I've slammed that front door, isolated myself for a while and then come out with the solution. I hope it all works out for you. X

CK, I just about recall a time when all the people in residential care for mental health issues, and other types of issues, meaning they were unable to cope, were turned out into the world for "Care in the Community" . This would have had to involve a place to live, which very often meant a Council property. Years down the line, a person such as this poor gentleman, who is told on his release into the community that this is your home for life (because that is what the meaning of "secure" tenancy is - it is capable of being passed on in a will in some cases) then faces this crap over the bedroom tax. I can easily see how there might be a resurgence of his problems, which in truth have probably always been there. People are accepted under the Homeless Persons Legislation as being in priority need for certain mental illnesses. Maybe this is how the poor man got his flat. Who knows. Not much of a home as we see, but home nevertheless to him. I expect he feels secure when in his little home. Very important for mentally ill people. You really have made me cross CK with your comments. I hope you have a terrible nightmare about mentally ill people. Karma. X

I can only tell you what happens with me - I get a private pension, and I also get ESA in the support group. After tax they disregard £85 a week of the pension and then deduct 50p in the £ of what is left over. This comes off the ESA rate. Something is very wrong here, because you can see that my pension is a lot more than your mum's and yet I am entitled to £46.00 a week and my stamp paid from ESA as well. After the weekend I'm sure one of the experts on this will be able to help you - I am not an expert in this, I just pocket what they say I can have! But it doesn't sound right to me.

You will only find out by making that call... I personally don't believe they will prosecute you. What we talking about, 16 - 20 weeks overpayment? And you are informing them, just say you've had an awful lot of job worries or other stress and you are so sorry for overlooking it. Please could they put it all right for you and let you know what you owe, they'll be quite good about a payment arrangement. Anyway, I'm waiting and I can wait all day..... (drums finger nails on coffee table!) and if you don't get a move on the Council offices will close and then you'll have to worry all day tomorrow as well. I know what this feels like, recently I was too scared to make a phone call, but it was all pie in the sky in the end. And I felt a whole lot better once it was done. And so, your next post will be .....I've done it and now I feel better! Bless you. X

What must be done must be done. Just pick up that phone and be done with it, and then follow the call up with a letter. As soon as you come off the phone, a weight will have lifted from your shoulders. You can look at it like this - 10 minute phone call plus one letter, = rest of life not worrying about it! I know all about peculiar behaviours like this when in a state, don't make sense do it really? Just do it, and afterwards you will laugh at yourself. They won't prosecute you for this, you are being honest with them. Post back in a minute when you've done it. X

Well, you are NOT guilty, so you hang on to that and if the worst comes to the worst and you find that you lose your money over this, then the experts on here will help you with that. One step at a time, and stay calm. Its quiet on here over the weekend, so try not to ruin your weekend with worry - and start sorting this out on Monday. I do know from other posts on here, that if your ex can show a financial responsibility somewhere else, like his own rent or benefit in his own right, then they really won't have much of a case against you. So, no more worrying until Monday, easier said than done I know, but nothing bad is going to happen tomorrow, cos its Sunday, and that's how you got to look at it. X

Hey, don;t worry - I had one of these in July. If you know you've done nothing wrong, no worries. The guy was really nice, he was just an information gatherer, he took what documents he wanted, and then telephoned me about 10 days later to assure me that all was in order, as far as he could see, and a few days later I had a letter from DWP just to confirm what my ESA allowance was - no changes. He also recommended I speak to the Tax Office as he said he thought my tax code wasn't right - and he was right again - I'm apparently due a small refund! And I didn't ask him if someone had reported me, he told me that they had! Good luck for tomorrow, and don't worry over it.

Oh I know all about deep seated issues! Little darling in my photo had those when I brought him home at 20 months. Got a lovely V shaped scar across my thigh from him actually. And at that point, yes most people would muzzle and I can't blame them. Like you say though, I only had him to contend with, which is hard enough, never mind 4 a go! Taz isn't a problem at all now, but he still isn't keen on dogs running up to him, only now he chooses to run off rather than go for them. Anyway, he's ball obsessed now, and has a dilemma - ball or bite? He chooses the ball everytime! I think I could have managed the rehab with two dogs, I'd have used the one to calm the other, but I really do see how difficult it would have been for you with so many, and at least she got her exercise and was loved. And the ex? Ho, fully understand, my poor mate has 3 soppy large Heinz 57, and he adds a huge male Inuit into the mix. And then walks out on the lot of them and two kids. We've had such trouble with bloody Merlin, but we also know this is his fifth home, he's got a fear problem, not dominance, and he can turn that corner. My mate had to muzzle him, like you, for everyone's safety when out on walks. But there will come the day it won't be necessary, at some point trust has to be given (gotta be earned though!). He's good in the house, well, the three big girls won't allow anything else, and the kids have known nothing else since birth but large dogs everywhere! (even three cats allowed in his bed with him!) Best of all he's been with her for 18 months now and is starting to realise its his forever home, and that really makes a change. Oh hey but there's one problem I can't cure Taz of, and it makes everyone laugh if they see it - whenever we go up a big hill, me being a bit older now, might be a bit slower, but I get there in the end! I don't get a chance to stop though and "admire the view" - if I do I get Taz behind me snapping at my heels and grumbling, and if I dare slow down he tries to trip me up by putting his paws between my feet. The one time I dared to stop half way up to tie my shoe lace he body slammed me in the back of the knees and had me over! I can hear the sharp intake of breath from any professional reading this - but I don't care - if that's the worst his behaviour is going to be from now on I think we can consider him rehabbed! And anyway I made that fateful mistake - I laughed the first time he did it! And I'm very proud of how fast I can get up these hills here in Dorset.

Well done CB! Easy isn't it? You just gotta learn a little about doggie behaviour, no need to endure Cesar Milan and his bloody teeth (I admired him till he had those teeth done!) unless you want to. Yes Ocelot it is a brilliant idea, and I've now seen quite a few doggies out with the yellow neck tie on. I hate muzzles on dogs, but I do understand why people use them. I prefer to deal with the problem that made the muzzle necessary in the first place (unless we are talking about a highly dangerous dog with specific problems, or a court order). I honestly believe muzzling makes problems worse. Oh, I've just thought of another reason to do it, I met one the other day, eats doggie poos! Yuck. Best bet all round for all dog owners is complete calmness at all times what ever situation you find yourself in. Now, CB, have you tried disco dancing with the little one yet? JR's are very good at it. I recommend you get hold of a copy of that old Kenny song "The Bump" and get going, this is a reward based exercise, (lovely little bits of cheddar!) the aim being to get your little one to bump against you everytime she/he hears "Bump". You have to get very involved and excited with this one!

Thick as a pair of house bricks, this Ombudsman. No he certainly cannot ask RBS to comply with the law and assure my nephew that they will do so in future so that he can use his account with confidence! So, we part on a stalemate and we now move on to this new-fangled FCA. Will keep you posted as we go!

The first thing you must do is put in a defence to that claim. I think its quite a simple thing to do on line without going into too much detail. Hopefully others will come along this evening and advise you further, as this is not my speciality by any means. Stay calm, don't panic, defend that claim on line so you know its been done, and then help will follow. You could start gathering together any evidence that you have, did you have photo's of the kittens? Have you copies of any advertising that you did? Just to get things together to see what you DO have. Was anyone present with you at the time of this guy's first visit? If this was me, and he tried to take an animal of mine I'd have taken the carving knife to him! However, I am me, and you are you!

I don't know about benefit fraud - I'm a bit gob smacked that they would go as far as to turn your house over! However, I can fully sympathise with a shock of a police raid in the early hours of the morning, when you are completely innocent. Back in the early 90's I suffered two raids in the early hours of the morning, by the drug squad. It terrified me, as I had no idea what the hell was going on, and I lived alone. The first time it was 6 male plain clothes guys, the second time there were some women, because they had twigged by then that I was actually a professional female living alone, but still they came and raided my home. In the end it turned out that it was my next door neighbour they wanted, not me, they had got the wrong flat. Boy did they have to do some apologising, and at the time I just wanted to forget it, it was so embarrassing as well. Today I'd have them over a barrel for it. I think you should shout about this from the rafters, like I say, I am gobsmacked that they have been so heavy handed. Imagine families with young children being raided like this - complete scare tactics. Perhaps you should google "Justice for Jobseekers" and let them have this story for starters - they are quite good at putting these stories in the best place. I hope it all gets sorted.

"Don't be so bloody stupid" said I to my GP "I've been at work not in Iraq!" She'd just said she thought I had PTSD and very severely. Off to the local funny farm for an assessment - and boy did I discover how right she was. I have to say once I had managed to accept what the psychiatrist confirmed, I went back and apologised and she has backed me to the hilt ever since. My diagnosis is PTSD with Panic Syndrome and Chronic Sleep Disorder. Its the PTSD that starts that thoughts off and makes me fearful, that starts the anger, then the Panic sets in and can have me on my knees (still fighting though). The gob knows no boundaries - if it must be said then I'm your lady! Mind you, when on one, nobody could say I was a lady! I think the memory that is safest to put on here, and one that is cringeworthy for me is when I was still employed but the firm were having me assessed by a "private practitioner" for the purposes of retiring me on a good pension. I had, the day before, been given my diagnosis. I went to see this guy, still not fully aware of what my condition could lead to. It was so obvious that he was trying every which way not to agree that I had PTSD (he was even screwing his face up when trying to deny what was wrong with me) because if he did agree I won and the company had to pay out. In the end I just cut a few corners, I lost it, lent across the desk, caught his tie and forced his head down on the table. "Look at the state of me you stupid F.... uneducated peasant" I roared at him I don't know who was more frightened, him, me or the receptionist who came bursting into the room! I just legged it. I got him to see it my way though in the end. I know I am very fortunate to have my practitioner. She's just the job for this - and its not just her expertise - it her personality as well. She makes me write things to her, then when in a session, she'll suddenly spring it on me, and several times just mentioning something has made me panic. She had to make me realise that although very unpleasant, I won't actually die from one of these attacks. So she sat with me, just waiting for it to go away, calm as you like - and guess what? I didn't die! Can't always stop the panic though, but at least I won't die. You are right also, its not usually one incident which causes it (except in shockers like Kings Cross for example and then I think that was termed "Survivor Guilt") but it builds up. Serious bullying in the workplace can and does cause it, its a sod to sort out, if not caught within about 6 months it takes a grip on you. Trouble is, who would dream that they were suffering from something like this, until there has been an incident that is out of character? Do you get all the physical bits as well - like if someone you don't know is walking behind you, your legs start to ache, toes start to tingle, get a bit of acid indigestion, heart rate goes up, breathing can get tight, get a bit sweaty? Oh boy, I just think now, "well, if you mean me harm get on with it - I'm full of adrenaline and its making me angry......". They ALWAYS walk past, meaning me no harm!! Well, this is what we've been dealt and we have to get on with it I suppose. It seems so unfair that you can't access this level of support. At least you are in the right group now for benefits - but for a horrible reason. I hope all your ills are cured, and very quick too, but I think we know we are stuck with this don't we? My advice re benefits for anyone suffering this condition is to get the GP or psychiatrist to point out very strongly the dangers to other people if you are forced to meetings, groups, and such like. There are a couple of regulations allowing for this scenario, I think 29 and 35? Whatever, they just worked for me for another 6 months in the support group because of the PTSD. What is it they say - lovely to meet you but a shame it couldn't be under better circumstances!!! Oh you have to laugh as well don't you?

Well done for posting up about this dreadful disorder - I suffer from the smaller type, just PTSD! And that's bad enough. I've been very fortunate, the mental health services in Dorset seem to be very good. I've been helped a lot by one to one sessions with a High Intensity Practitioner, but I do know as she told me, her type are very few and far between, I think there is one other in Dorset. Its sort of been CBT, but with a lot more talking about what made me ill in the first place, Whatever it is she does, she does it well. Having said that, I've been seeing her for three years now, have had to accept that I will not recover fully, and I understand everything you posted up! If I have to go to one of these advisors the likely outcome will be violence - hence, why I'm not working in the first place! It only needs my stupid brain to take exception to something someone says, and everything flips, all hell can let loose because the brain thinks I'm being threatened, no matter what I try and say to it to convince it otherwise! I bet you completely understand that one don't you? I hope you get the help you need. And that neither you or I gets called to see one of these idiots.

Ombudsman so advised!

Will give it a go! Thank you. Hope that dog has stopped barking at the gate LOL x

OOOH! Thanks CitizenB. I think the first port of call will be the gentleman from Stephen Hesters office, who dealt with this, to ask what he now intends to do, and to ensure that this case is looked at again. Fancy not being able to use your bank account for 18 months - total inconvenience. Then a call to the number in one of the articles, and a letter to the new guys. But still, what shall I say to the FOS?

An e-mail has arrived. We need to respond by 8-7-2013. This is what they say: In your response dated 11 December 2012, you state that RBS refuse to accept the law. I must explain that our service is not the regulator of the industry and we therefore do not have the power to ask RBS to comply with any laws. The aim of our service is to make impartial decisions where the aim is to put a consumer back in a position they would have been in had an error not occurred. RBS has refunded the payment taken by WONGA and therefore you have been put back in the position you would have been in had an error not occurred. Therefore, as the final decision issued by the ombudsman cannot ask RBS to follow any particular law, what is the outcome that you are seeking from this complaint? Well, what is the use of this outfit if they cannot pull up a bank when they do wrong? Nephew hasn't been able to use his bank account with confidence since over a year now, as they refuse him a new one! We shall be suggesting that the final satisfied outcome for us will be a new bank account. Has anyone anything else to suggest? Not bothered about money its the priniciple of the thing. And, if not this outfit, then who does regulate the banks then? Because we are quite prepared to take this up with them whoever they are, even, I suppose, if it comes under this BCOB thing. Thanks for reading, all suggestions, however worded lol, gratefully received.

He already has a new job to go to, just waiting for the site to open in three weeks time, the new manager will give him the heads up a week prior, and he's handing his notice in at that time. So he's in a good position job wise. There's loads of building going on round here right now, and he has all his tickets and whatnots. Referencing was done discreetly as he is still employed, and by word of mouth. He recognised the drug use (heroin) and wanted it sorted before he left, because of the risk to the other guys. There's been more problems today, he was given a van last night with the responsibility of delivering two other guys to the site today. The van was low on fuel, he told them, and asked for the fuel card. The person with the card deliberately sneaked off with it, and nephew had no way of getting the fuel - being payday tomorrow and no cash available until then. So now he and two other guys are stuck at home, the firm will stop them a days pay, and they haven't even bothered to contact any of them even though they are aware of the fuel situation. Jeez, not surprised he went and got a new job.