Signing on tomorrow

[Perseus1]

See page 6 of the link I gave in post 45. Wouldn't be the first time JCP staff aren't aware of the rules, especially since they change so often.

 

I did see this:

 

http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/dwp1023.pdf

 

 

Pressure (from the WP) comes from a different direction as you can be mandated to spend more time looking for work.

 

Also, the agreement with the Job Centre for the hours worked has to be agreed in advance. I only agreed 15 hours a week maximum.

 

It seems to be becoming trickier, not easier. I a would strongly advise to keep a copy of your original form as they can get lost.

 

Ramsgate DWP have asked me for the expenses claim and full details. I am sort of proud to be doing something useful so I was pleased to send in the details. Just hope I don't get caught up in a mire of bureaucracy and I have not inadvertently broken the rules.

 

Sometimes, volunteering can put demands on you that interferes with job searching. I have declined further commitments because of this. It is becoming increasingly unlikely I can continue with volunteering whilst on the WP. I will end up letting people down. I am reluctant to stop volunteering, but I have decided at the moment to put any more volunteering on hold. WP is entirely the reason.

 

My figuring was if I did some volunteering it would give me the edge in getting a job (I won't get it without). However, if the WP make it awkward, I cannot do the volunteering properly and I would be thought as unreliable.

 

WP are deliberately discouraging whereas Pathways to Work (when I had an injury) were encouraging. Change of focus.

Edited November 8, 2013 by Perseus1

[Perseus1]

I think I read somewhere under universal credit, you can only volunteer for half the number of hours you can work for.

 

As I am on 15 hours volunteering, the unwritten rule is that I spend about 15 hours a week looking for work. I might do more.

 

I am not sure of the precise rules, if any.

 

I have just written a letter to the new volunteering saying that I feel that I am unable to manage the commitment at the moment.

 

If I was younger, I think I would just jump in and damn the consequences. But I do not need to volunteer, just like to do something useful.

 

I do volunteering anyway so I am off to do some now. If my courage does not desert me?

Edited November 8, 2013 by Perseus1

[dyfed]

Ignore this comment as I thought we were talking about WP and not voluntary work.

 

Seems crazy that we can be sent on full time work experiance AND be expected to look for work at the same time.

What we supposed to do, cut ourselves in half or something?

 

I wonder how the work provider would act if I was to read the local news pappers and use their computer and telephone to apply for non existant jobs when I am supposed to be working my disabled butt off for no pay?

Edited November 8, 2013 by dyfed

[Perseus1]

Seems crazy that we can be sent on full time work experiance AND be expected to look for work at the same time.

What we supposed to do, cut ourselves in half or something?

 

I wonder how the work provider would act if I was to read the local news pappers and use their computer and telephone to apply for non existant jobs when I am supposed to be working my disabled butt off for no pay?

 

A compromise needs to be worked out with the WP. But they won't compromise. At least as far as G4s work plan for recruitment are concerned.

 

Really, it is like doing two jobs, or a full time volunteering position with overtime. I think I could hack it for a bit if I was younger.

 

I have tried to do it but I can't hack it with the WP. If that was a real job with pay, I would walk out on it. I have worked for ****ty bosses like that when I did not know any better. I think it will come down to "the final straw" when they go OTT. I refused to be treated like a Camel, so WP can get stuffed as far as I am concerned.

 

Moved on to: http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?408588-Tips-for-Getting-Jobs/page2 Not sure if the conventional road is right for me. I might have to innovate a bit. This will not go down well with the Guards.

Edited November 8, 2013 by Perseus1

[Perseus1]

A few years ago the policy team at Volunteering England developed the slogan ‘Volunteering is freely given, but not cost free’. It was used repeatedly to make the point to government and funders that successful and effective engagement of volunteers comes with a cost attached, albeit a cost that brings about a good return on investment.

 

Last month, Sir Stephen Bubb wrote an article for The Guardian entitled, ‘George Osborne needs to understand that volunteering isn’t free‘, in which he argued that if the voluntary sector is going to have to provide placements under the proposed Help To Work scheme then it needs funding to do so.

 

http://robjackson.thirdsector.co.uk/2013/11/01/walking-the-talk-on-volunteering/

[RebeccaPidgeon]

A few years ago the policy team at Volunteering England developed the slogan ‘Volunteering is freely given, but not cost free’. It was used repeatedly to make the point to government and funders that successful and effective engagement of volunteers comes with a cost attached, albeit a cost that brings about a good return on investment.

 

Last month, Sir Stephen Bubb wrote an article for The Guardian entitled, ‘George Osborne needs to understand that volunteering isn’t free‘, in which he argued that if the voluntary sector is going to have to provide placements under the proposed Help To Work scheme then it needs funding to do so.

 

http://robjackson.thirdsector.co.uk/2013/11/01/walking-the-talk-on-volunteering/

I am sure that Mr Stephen Bubb appreciates the fact that, notwithstanding his extremely generous salary and expense allowance which could be devoted to good causes, whereas there is the Public Sector, Private Sector, Third Sector and sub-prime Welfare To Work Sector, there is no "Voluntary Sector".

[Gay_guy1986]

I have a post Work Programme appointment on 26.11.2013 as I finish my 2 year next month.

 

However on my appointment on 26.11.2013 and if my personal advisor tells me I need to do 35 hours Jobsearch, what does this Include? does all these add up to 35 hours a week? as I am doing these already:

 

1) I look on Universal Jobmatch, Indeed, Monster, Fish4jobs and total Jobs and I apply for Jobs mostly everyday and I also look on these websites 5 days a week.

 

2) I keep in contact with Job agencies 3 days a week whom I am registered with.

 

3) Look in newspapers.

 

What else do you think I need to do if these don't add up to 35 hours? I am just asking this if my advisor ask me to do 35 hours

 

Any help would be great, cheers !

 

btw if their ask me to do 35 hours a week is stupid because hardly any Jobs around.

[reallymadwoman]

You could easily spend 2 or 3 hours a day updating your CV and composing, printing and hand delivering speculative letters.

 

Since most speculative letters end up in the bin, no one could prove or disprove whether you'd actually done it.

 

I would also become a very slow reader - it might take me half an hour just to log in to one site and input search criteria, then another hour to read both the job adverts that I also read yesterday and the day before, just to check that they're not suitable obviously.

 

The 35 hours can also include any travel time to your local high street to check for vacancies in shop windows, ditto the notice boards in local supermarkets - I'd probably have to do that every time I needed to go shopping!

 

Asking anyone to jobsearch 35 hours a week is just totally unrealistic, so get creative.

[Gay_guy1986]

But I haven't got a printer to print spec letters and cv, so how am I going to do that?

[joeski]

35 hours a week is a bit excessive, i do my job search everyday in under 2 hours and thats a proper job search.

[reallymadwoman]

Hand write some letters - that will obviously take 10 times as long as you'd have to do each one individually rather than just printing another copy.

[Helen2264]

But I haven't got a printer to print spec letters and cv, so how am I going to do that?

 

You can use your local library if they have computer and printers, mine have both I don't have a printer either so most letters I upload to a USB and use my library's pc and printers.

 

I understand it can be costly though.

[san_d]

You're worring a bit too much. The new regime with the mandatory 35 hours kicks in next spring, if I'm not wrong.

 

I think you have the right to use your ex WPP facilities (PCs, jobsearch, printers) for a certain numbers of months after you've left, provided it doesn't impair the current candidates.

 

The JC+ should print your CVs for free, however my local one uses rubbish paper (it looks like toilet paper).

[Gay_guy1986]

You're worring a bit too much. The new regime with the mandatory 35 hours kicks in next spring, if I'm not wrong.

 

I think you have the right to use your ex WPP facilities (PCs, jobsearch, printers) for a certain numbers of months after you've left, provided it doesn't impair the current candidates.

 

The JC+ should print your CVs for free, however my local one uses rubbish paper (it looks like toilet paper).

 

Sorry but you're wrong about that 35 hours as I seen so many posters on Money saving expert forums that their have been told by Jobcentre advisors that their need to do 35 hours Jobseeking now that their finished work programme.

[san_d]

Sorry but you're wrong about that 35 hours as I seen so many posters on Money saving expert forums that their have been told by Jobcentre advisors that their need to do 35 hours Jobseeking now that their finished work programme.

 

First of all, the "other" forum is full of c.rap. What is sure is that the DWP is introducing the so called Claimant commitment. There is only speculation that WP returners will have to spend 35 hours a week at the Jobcentre. It is more likely that they will be sent to do some Community Work, although I doubt it will be for the benefit of the community but more for the benefit of Poundland or McDonalds.

 

It is true that some JC+ advisors are scaremongering jobseekers into thinking that they will have to spend 35 hrs a week at the Jobcentre, but as long as you know your rights you don't have to accept these traps.

 

Go to the whatdotheykow website and search all FOI's by Mary Sanderson and print the most relevant ones in case your advisor acts a bit crazy.

[Nystagmite]

I heard the 35 hour thing was something to do with universal credit?

[Gay_guy1986]

Well, today while I was at Job centre searching for Jobs on PC (no idea why I couldn't do Jobsearch here at my flat) anyway while I was searching my advisor came up to me (well he wasn't my advisor, he was acting on behalf of my advisor) anyway he said that my advisor wants me to remove my gay tshirt while going to appointments.

 

I am very annoyed about this and he also said that he is going to make it mandatory and if I keep wearing the tshirt then I could face sanction on my JSA benefit, is he allowed to do that?

 

Just in case no one knows, I wear a gay slogan tshirt with the following (NOBODY KNOWS I'M GAY) I have it in all sorts of colours, is that offensive to anyone on here?

 

I don't go to the Jobcentre to get told what I can or can't wear, I go to look for work and also appointments.

 

I am so fuming

[antone]

Have you posted about this before? I'm sure it seems familiar.

 

Anyhow, my flippant answer would be to say "OK fine, I won't wear it any more" and then show up with a t-shirt reading "Everyone Thinks I'm Straight".

 

More seriously, I personally wouldn't see such a slogan as offensive in any way and I don't see why any sensible person would have a problem. But you need to consider whether this is a hill you want to die on - in other words, is fighting this battle worth the reward you'll gain if you win? That's your choice, and I do admire people who're prepared to stand on principal.

 

I suppose there are two main issues here: 1) Is it offensive to other JC users?; and 2) If you were sent to a job interview straight from your appointment at the JC, would you be appropriately dressed?

 

In the case of 1), I don't see it. It's not like your shirt has pornographic images or swear words on it. With regards to 2) well, very few people show up to sign on wearing an interview suit.

 

If it were me and I felt like making a stand, I think I'd tell the adviser to go ahead and refer me for sanction. I suspect many DMs won't see it as a problem. But of course, there are risks with that approach. Still, "I don't like his shirt" is not grounds for sanction - the adviser would have to demonstrate that wearing the shirt affected your ability to be fit for, available for, and actively seek employment.

[45002]

Well, today while I was at Job centre searching for Jobs on PC (no idea why I couldn't do Jobsearch here at my flat) anyway while I was searching my advisor came up to me (well he wasn't my advisor, he was acting on behalf of my advisor) anyway he said that my advisor wants me to remove my gay tshirt while going to appointments.

 

I am very annoyed about this and he also said that he is going to make it mandatory and if I keep wearing the tshirt then I could face sanction on my JSA benefit, is he allowed to do that?

 

Just in case no one knows, I wear a gay slogan tshirt with the following (NOBODY KNOWS I'M GAY) I have it in all sorts of colours, is that offensive to anyone on here?

 

I don't go to the Jobcentre to get told what I can or can't wear, I go to look for work and also appointments.

 

I am so fuming

 

 

Have you posted about this before? I'm sure it seems familiar.

 

 

 

Here http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.php?t=4848694

 

And http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.php?t=4652927&highlight=

 

Plus http://money.talkwhat.com/view/qYeXbUsGlzRyQgAzRyaTk.html

Edited December 17, 2013 by 45002

[lookinforinfo]

If the Job Centre is getting feedback from the companies you have been to remarking on your choice of clothes then it really depends on whether you want to work or not if you decide not to change what you wear.

I suppose there is a difference between a company employing someone who is gay or someone who is overtly gay.

Can the Job Centre withdraw your benefits on the basis they feel a more appropriate form of dress would have led to an offer of employment.

[antone]

Can the Job Centre withdraw your benefits on the basis they feel a more appropriate form of dress would have led to an offer of employment.

 

If they have evidence that you showed up for an interview in completely inappropriate dress, yes they can.

[45002]

OP has made it far too easy to find a picture of him wearing the said yellow T shirt using Google search !

 

It is not offensive at all and I don't know what all the fuss is about.

 

However it's is a inappropriate T shirt to wear to a job interview or in a JCP office and may make JCP staff think OP is not taking it seriously looking looking for work !

[antone]

OP has made it far too easy to find a picture of him wearing the said yellow T shirt using Google search !

 

It is not offensive at all and I don't know what all the fuss is about.

 

However it's is a inappropriate T shirt to wear to a job interview or in a JCP office and may make JCP staff think OP is not taking it seriously looking looking for work !

 

Well, I'll let others search for the images. I agree that it's probably a fuss about nothing, and restate my advice to the OP: "Is this a hill you want to die on?"

[dyfed]

You should be able to wear what you want in a free country.

What they got fashion police at jcp now?

[popeyethesailortam]

Oh come on OP, If you are going to a job interview you dress appropriately. A t-shirt irrespective of the logo isnt appropriate, & frankly I'm pleased to see the powers that be taking action against you if you are taking money out the public purse.

 

Incidentally, I fail to see why you would feel the need to advertise your sexuality.