Universal Jobmatch

[impecunious]

I had to sign on for the first time yesterday. I was asked for my email address so that they could check Universal Jobmatch, etc. I asked if it was a compulsory requirement - they said NO, so I declined to give them them the information and the staff member made a note on my file. No problem! Once it becomes compulsory, I suppose we'll have to provide our email information but until then ...................... no thanks.

 

Impecunious!

[impecunious]

Thanks for the info on 'saving' jobs - I understand that

 

'If an advisor knows you quite well' - I see a different 'advisor' all the time so there's no chance any of them will get to know me. Each time I go in I 'wonder what this ones going to be like' (some are really nice, some are definately in the wrong job!)

 

'Job isn't in my desired industry' and 'Job doesn't match my career level' can also get you in trouble. As you said earlier, if you CAN do a job you are expected to apply. The fact you might not particularly like it or have to work at a career level way below what you have previously achieved counts for nothing.

 

Looks like trying to find a new job and receiving JSA is a minefield and we all receive a different level of service. My jobseekers agreement states that I only have to apply for a specific job in my preferred sector for a period of 3 months, after which I have agreed to extend my search. I was also told that I wouldn't be expected to take a job that didn't match my experience, salary expectations or qualifications.

 

Lucky me!

 

Impecunious!

[SWLABR9]

At first you wont "be expected to take a job that didn't match my experience, salary expectations or qualifications" buit after a few months you'll be expected to wash dishes for an appropriate renumeration if a local post comes up.

[san_d]

I have made about 50 applications in the last months and a half on UJM and I have received 0 feedback. I know most jobs are fake but the I suspect that employers don't even receive the CVs through the system.

 

It's perfect for those who want to be on the dole forever. Fire 10 random applications a day, make the Jobcentre happy, get the cash every two weeks.

[ismael urzaiz]

employers will get swamped with cv applications from people not wanting the job but who are just 'making up the numbers' on their jobsearch record and the people who really want the vacancy will be missed in the melee

[Farbramble]

employers will get swamped with cv applications from people not wanting the job but who are just 'making up the numbers' on their jobsearch record and the people who really want the vacancy will be missed in the melee

 

I use to see these comments made quite frequently over at the UK Business forum by disgruntled employers. The consensus amongst them was to simply avoid the JC website as, you quite rightly mentioned, to stop time-wasters who're only interested in padding out their jobsearch diary.

[flumps1976]

Yes but don't forget the website is named Universal Jobmatch to be used via direct gov but run by Monster!

[RebeccaPidgeon]

I use to see these comments made quite frequently over at the UK Business forum by disgruntled employers. The consensus amongst them was to simply avoid the JC website as, you quite rightly mentioned, to stop time-wasters who're only interested in padding out their jobsearch diary.

Time wasting aside, particularly employers who refuse to pay staff a living wage, and otherwise rely on In Work Benefits as a taxpayer sub...I am sure that employers will be even more disgruntled now.... given that the uprating of In Work Benefits will be restricted to 1% for the next 3 years.

[joeski]

Time wasting aside, particularly employers who refuse to pay staff a living wage, and otherwise rely on In Work Benefits as a taxpayer sub...I am sure that employers will be even more disgruntled now.... given that the uprating of In Work Benefits will be restricted to 1% for the next 3 years.

 

and MPs think they deserve a payrise of over 30% :O

[Hacked_Off]

I have made about 50 applications in the last months and a half on UJM and I have received 0 feedback. I know most jobs are fake but the I suspect that employers don't even receive the CVs through the system.

 

It's perfect for those who want to be on the dole forever. Fire 10 random applications a day, make the Jobcentre happy, get the cash every two weeks.

 

Same for me, out of 80 applications only one has been viewed, waste of time!!

[Hacked_Off]

How can an "advisor" save a job for me when I've not given permission for them to view my account?

[RebeccaPidgeon]

and MPs think they deserve a payrise of over 30% :O

I know.... our hearts should bleed for them. However, surely at this time, We should simply support the desire of MP's to be offered a generous increase..... say..... the 1% increase over the next three years which those in receipt of In Work Benefits are subject to, and at the level which recipients of JSA will receive. I am confident that MP's would accept with generousity, an increase of £0.71 in their salary for each year for the next three years.

[RebeccaPidgeon]

How can an "advisor" save a job for me when I've not given permission for them to view my account?

Read the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Agreement....essentially, when you create an account under UJM, you accept that Monster is a Data Processor which operates the system on behalf of the DWP, and that the DWP may process the data in whatever way it sees fit. Your account may be viewed by anyone which the DWP decrees should have access privileges. The data is no different to that retained by JCP, and transferred to Welfare To Work Employers, whenever candidates are assigned to the Work Programme.

 

Worse - under the Terms and Conditions which you sign up to, Monster makes it clear that they accept no responsibility for any information contained on any other website... consequently, candidates using UJ may be matched to non existant vacancies, vacancies which had closed previously, and other vacancies which are simply posted to support fraudulent practises and criminal activity.

 

If you are not happy, you can delete your account, no sanction will apply, it is not mandatory to create an account yet.... and simply maintain a paper based Job Search Record.

Edited January 12, 2013 by RebeccaPidgeon
Additional Information Submitted

[SWLABR9]

Wishful thinking by the DWP and Monster there, you can't sign away the law I suspect.

[bialoman]

This Universal Jobmatch sounds so dodgy. The options for why didn't apply for job also sound extremely like they have been set up to trip you, making it easier to sanction. I can see all those awful ''Earn 100k a year plus!'' type jobs that are sales jobs being on there, and the DWP wanting you to apply for these.

[joeski]

its funny how ever since stupid old IDS's site has came on the scene i'm finding twice as many jobs as i did before on other job sites, what an idiot IDS is for spending millions on a UJM that eventually end up been scrapped because everyone will desert it due to privacy issues etc...IDS, your a total and utter retard mate..you should be in a mental institution!!!

[RebeccaPidgeon]

I'm talking about when an advisor has access to your account.

If I gave access to my account to DWP I would have to apply for any saved jobs by an advisor or it could lead to a sanction. Giving a reason for not applying is also evidence we've actually looked at the vacancy's description/page. I don't see any of it as being of help, just a way for DWP to 'spy' on us and sanction at the earliest possible moment. I can't think of a reason not to sign up to UJM if you're genuinely job hunting (in fact you have to to apply for some jobs! - I say apply, I mean just fire off a CV,, and thats no good in most cases) but the threat of sanctions seems a fantastic reason for not allowing DWP access.

 

 

edit: I just had a quick look on direct.gov. Of the 8 reasons you can give for not applying for a job, 5 can definately possibly lead to sanctions. 1 of the remaining 3 is dodgy also (doesn't match skills). 'Too far from home' would have to be proved (90 mins by jet isn't it - max distance?) which just leaves 'already applied' as the only 'safe' option.

Unfortunately, the problem arises if a JCP Advisor asks a candidate for proof that an application has been made, and they cannot offer proof.... Sanction Doubt.

 

I also cannot think of a reason for any serious job seeker not to sign up to UJM.... except for the fact that as, acknowledged by Monster Corporation within the Terms and Conditions, "..does not accept liability or responsibility for incorrect information on any other website", vacancies which may be posted on UJM, whilst being advertised, may not necessarily be legitimate and live, at the time of being posted.

 

Even if a candidate, in creating a UJM Account, does not authorise the "DWP to access your accounts", this option is irrelevant.... given that, in creating a UJM Account, with Monster operating the system on behalf of the DWP, and being considered a Data Processor from the premise of Data Protection Legislation, has to process the data in accordance with the directives of the DWP.

[stikky62]

UJM is turning into a spamming site for Agencies - grrrrrrrrrrrr!

[bialoman]

Just had a look there - tons of junk, [problem] and job ads with the wrong location on some e.g put in your postcode and giving you vacancies for not just jobs 40 miles away, but 400!

 

I'm in at the dole this week on Thursday and not looking forward to the third degree about why I haven't signed up.

 

How are people who are on UJ getting on with the process?

[joeski]

looks like the good ship UJM is listing, gonna turn out to be a right embarassment for dear old IDS..shame hahaha

[joeski]

Unfortunately, the problem arises if a JCP Advisor asks a candidate for proof that an application has been made, and they cannot offer proof.... Sanction Doubt.

 

I also cannot think of a reason for any serious job seeker not to sign up to UJM.... except for the fact that as, acknowledged by Monster Corporation within the Terms and Conditions, "..does not accept liability or responsibility for incorrect information on any other website", vacancies which may be posted on UJM, whilst being advertised, may not necessarily be legitimate and live, at the time of being posted.

 

Even if a candidate, in creating a UJM Account, does not authorise the "DWP to access your accounts", this option is irrelevant.... given that, in creating a UJM Account, with Monster operating the system on behalf of the DWP, and being considered a Data Processor from the premise of Data Protection Legislation, has to process the data in accordance with the directives of the DWP.

 

well im a seriously job seeker but i do not intend signing up to UJM because its a corrupt site full of fake jobs and it was the idea of a sick corrupt mentally unstable man, plus UJM only has 1 goal and that is to invent reasons to sanction claimants.

[postggj]

web beacons are an intrusion of privacy and i can see no use for them. The DWP has failed to confirm if these weB beacons are transferable to other web pages not associated with UJM.

 

recording a users ISP address can serve no purpose but for some sort of covert or tracking reasons

 

even though it is not compulsory for claimants to sign up to UJM, the DWP staff are making it out that it is compulsory with threat of sanctions. The DWP are also not informing claimants of the data protection issues also, and that claimants are signing away their DPA rights by signing up to this service

 

Seems some sort of direction has come from above on this to the DWP staff, be it performance issues, targets, Orwellian reasons, what ever.

 

it realy has come to something where the state resorts to a bully boy tactic with no statutory powers to force people to do its will

[gragolfer]

Withold consent for the sharing of your personal data on the grounds that you do not want to give up your data protection rights .DATAPROTECTION Act 1998.

[postggj]

i did a little experiment

 

1/ i opened an account with universal jobs match

2/ i used a new email address

3/ i entered bogus name, postcode etc

4/ i confirmed that i decline access to any third party or receive offers by email from universal jobs match

5/ i received a gateway pass code

 

a week later i start getting emails from universal jobs match with job vacancies. only problem is these job offers are at least 50 miles away.

 

We found new jobs that match your criteria.

 

i never consented to universal jobs match to start sending me unsolicited spam emails either

[gragolfer]

i did a little experiment

 

1/ i opened an account with universal jobs match

2/ i used a new email address

3/ i entered bogus name, postcode etc

4/ i confirmed that i decline access to any third party or receive offers by email from universal jobs match

5/ i received a gateway pass code

 

a week later i start getting emails from universal jobs match with job vacancies. only problem is these job offers are at least 50 miles away.

 

We found new jobs that match your criteria.

 

i never consented to universal jobs match to start sending me unsolicited spam emails either

 

I meant don't consent to signing up to it in the first place,for the reasons above.If you look on consentme.uk it will give all the info you need to arm yourself.no pun intended.I'm on the workfare at INGEUS.They've been trying to induct me for 8 months.I won't consent to share anymore personal data than DWP & JS + Already hold about me.Check the site out it might just pay dividends.