Work Programme

[jasta11]

Just a reminder to us good folks to stay on our toes as we start a new year dealing with the Jobcentre. No doubt they will have been told to be even less tolerant and be looking harder for sanctionable errors on our part. One thing we can be sure of; it won't get any better!

 

I had my first signing of the new year today with one of the more miserable advisors and upon confirming I hadn't granted access to UJ, was asked 'Why would you not want us to see your account?' - which to me was a veiled accusation of my not using it. I quoted the legislation and said it was not up for any kind of discussion; I haven't given permission and that's the end of it and any further questions of that kind would result in a complaint of harrassment.

 

Some advisers seem determined that you will give them access AND store all your jobsearch on UJ - maybe this is the new tactic for the year.

 

Start as you mean to go on and don't take any rubbish off them!

[sparky514]

thanks Mr. P for your reply, it's very kind of you for helping, have clicked on your star, once again many thanks

[jasta11]

An FOI response dated yesterday on the Whatdotheyknow site about the DWP & WP contacting employers to validate your employment details. Extract;

 

'The existence of a legal power to share relevant data means there is no need for an

individual's consent to be obtained in order for the sharing to take place. A former benefit

claimant cannot stop the Jobcentre, DWP or its Provider Payment Validation Team from

contacting employers about the individual’s employment for the purposes specified in the

order.

The Designation Order applies to claimants of the following benefits; Employment Support

Allowance, Jobseekers Allowance, Incapacity Benefit /Income Support and Universal Credit.

 

To clarify, neither the Department nor Work Programme providers need to obtain claimant

consent to contact employers or future employers for these benefit claimants. However, the

Department does not insist that the Work Programme provider’s use the powers granted them

through the Designation Order, so if a provider still wanted to obtain claimant consent they

could do so.'

 

Finally, the Designation Order fully complies with the Data Protection Act which both the

Department and Work Programme providers have to adhere to.

 

https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/work_programme_providers_and_out#incoming-469293

Edited January 11, 2014 by jasta11

[Mr.P]

To clarify, neither the Department nor Work Programme providers need to obtain claimant

consent to contact employers or future employers for these benefit claimants.

 

A point often overlooked is that Work Programme "advisers" have been granted powers by the Secretary of State that give them the same authority as DWP/JCP staff - Bad move on his part, and bad news for claimants.

As to this amendment to the Welfare Reform act, it was bound to happen as increased numbers of WP participants refused permission to contact employers. The only way round this is to refuse to provide any information when signing off. The DWP conveniently provide a box on the form that asks for "any other reason for closing a claim" if employer details are not filled in - A simple "personal reasons" is sufficient.

 

In time, the Secretary of State will go back to Parliament and ask for legislation that allows data to be shared with HMRC, local councils, DWP, and any other Tom Dick & Harry.

[Charlotte_Henderson]

 

Can they force me to get a job cleaning toilets .

 

Someone has to clean toilets, dont be such a snob!

[Charlotte_Henderson]

I would also add to use your smartphone and show the adviser

 

NEVER show your advisor you have a mobile phone, as they will ask you for the number and then pester you with calls days in day out!

My advisor thinks i dont have a phone, i told him in our first meeting when he asked. i couldn't afford to run one, and my landline was the only name he was having.

 

A friend of mine gave his mobile number, and gets calls from them every day..

 

Normally on the lines of Hi Daniel, have you applied for such and such a job? ive told him to block the number, and tell his advisor he cant afford to run it anymore.

[infojunkie]

I note with interest that four 'Recruiters' working for A4E are being charged and have pleaded guilty to, swindling the tax payer and dwp, fraud and also forgery today! Wonder when they will get around to the Ingeus 'Recruiters' ...........