Work Programme : Engage Phase

[Sekhmet79]

Hi again everyone.

 

I have just received an appointment for my Work Programme (Sarina Russo) Engage Phase which is on Friday with a completely different adviser. Not looking forward to this as I don't really know what to expect. As some of you may or may nor remember - I am moving to York soon (no date yet though but hopefully within a few weeks to a month) and I really do not want a job where I currently live as I want and need to move away for a clean and fresh break - coupled with the fact that I could accept full and part time work if I moved - upping my chances of finding work, if I stayed, full time in the only option.

 

Anyway, can anyone give me any pointers as to whats in store for me?

 

Also, would I get into trouble if I told them truth, that I do not want to work round here but am looking for employment in York and would attend any interview I may get? I don't want to land myself some kind of sanction if not wanting to work in my area is not allowed.

 

Cheers!

[Mr.P]

Do not volunteer any information, and if asked, give non-committal answers. The session will probably be the same useless mix of "your fault you are not working", and blindingly obvious pointers to things you could be doing.

 

As you now know you will be moving, I would suggest continue going through the motions of looking for work. Fill in your job search diary as usual, apply for the required number of jobs each week - We all know most of the jobs advertised are agency/fake adverts, but it keeps the WP/JCP advisers happy.

Throw in a few applications for genuine jobs in York, and if asked, tell them that you are also looking further afield in a genuine attempt to find work. That is the honest answer, and no one needs to know that you are soon to move anyway.

[Sekhmet79]

Thanks for your reply. Im expecting the usual "the problem is you..." crap as that seems to be their warcry lol

 

I have read before that people shouldnt sign this or answer that and I dont get why. If they ask me things and Im vague or refuse to sign things and they ask me why, what do I say? Why should I not sign anything?

[jasta11]

All you need to say is 'Under current legislation I'm not obliged to sign this'. No need at all to offer an explanation. If you check out the other threads on here - especially the Ingeus one, you'll find links to the guidance which you can print out and take to show them if needed. Obviously anything they legitimately ask you to do, then do it to avoid any problems with the Jobcentre.

 

I know it's hard for some people to take a firm stand but what you do at the beginning will determine how they treat you for the duration of the course. Show them that you know the rules, won't be bullied and have no problems reporting them for any violations and hopefully they'll back off a lot. I only had about 12-15 appointments in the 2 years and they left me alone a lot of the time..must have been something I said

 

Good luck with the move. I hope you get a job soon and won't have to endure the work program too long.

[Mr.P]

All you need to say is 'Under current legislation I'm not obliged to sign this'. No need at all to offer an explanation.

 

If you are not given an opportunity to read the document, or find passages that you do not fully understand, then decline to sign - Say that you wish to take it away to read and/or seek a second opinion.

 

If you sign anything that is thrust under you nose to sign without fully understanding the consequences, you could find yourself compelled to undertake an unsuitable/undesirable activity. If the provider knows that you will read everything and decline to sign, they are less likely to pull any stunts.

 

Remember, all Work Programme providers are only interested in making money out of you. This could be by way of placing you on (worthless) "courses" and claiming ESF funding, or shoving you in to any (unsuitable) temporary employment and cliaming outcome payments from the DWP.

[Beatrice Bee]

I can not see any harm in signing the fortnightly / monthly mandated action plan with the WP provider. They required me and my WP adviser to sign it. Nothing wrong came out of it as a result through the two years of WP. On the other hand, seen ppl posting up here saying their money got suspended for not signing and they were told they are not cooperating hence compliance doubt.

 

Read everything fully before signing and if it is eg consent to share info with third parties / distribute your CV, of course you do not have to sign it.

[think about it]

Hi again everyone.

 

Also, would I get into trouble if I told them truth, that I do not want to work round here but am looking for employment in York and would attend any interview I may get? I don't want to land myself some kind of sanction if not wanting to work in my area is not allowed.

 

Cheers!

 

The key is to put the emphasis on what you are doing. "I'm busy looking for work near my new home in Yorkshire" sounds a lot better than "I don't want to look for jobs around here" and is less likely to get a reaction from an adviser.

 

The adviser wants you to be looking for work, so to put it on a plate in front of them makes everyone's life easy.

 

I'd recommend throwing a million questions at them:

 

"I want to do ......, how do I get that info across?"

"I prefer to work outside/indoors/with people/whatever, what roles do you recommend?"

"Can you tell me how to answer ..... question in an interview"

 

Get them thinking on their feet...

[Sekhmet79]

Thanks everyone, your help is invaluable to me and Id like to update my experience if I may.

 

I had my appointment yesterday and he seems a decent adviser on the whole, apart from the fact that he ate his lunch infront of me and swore quite a bit (f*cking, b*stard, pr*ck and sh*t was used). He asked me about my living situation so I brought up moving to York... he said "b*llocks to here then, lets concentrate on finding jobs in York" which I was pleased about. I do find it quite unfair however, that for next time I see him, I must find 50 companies in York to send CVs/spec letters to then the week after that to ring the 50 companies to chase up my CV. It will be hard to find 50 and I do think its a little OTT but it does say mandatory on my Action Plan for next week.

 

My question is, would it be ok if I pre-made all these CV's, spec letters and envelopes to take in to him rather than me having to go in and do it there and be there for 2 hours?

[jasta11]

My question is, would it be ok if I pre-made all these CV's, spec letters and envelopes to take in to him rather than me having to go in and do it there and be there for 2 hours?

 

Yes, that's what he meant - for you to find the 50 yourself and have it done by the time of your next meeting. If you intend to use email to apply - and I would - you can do it all yourself at home. He'll no doubt want a list of the 50 employers you contacted as they'll be quick to claim payment should you be offered a job from any of them (even though you've done all the work!). However, you don't have to show the employers names, just enough evidence to show that you made the required 50 applications.

 

If you plan on applying using letter, envelopes and stamps then best to get all the applications ready on a memory stick and then print them out at your next appointment using their materials. Why should you have to use your own paper, envelopes and ink? That's what the WP is for.

 

I've had this myself, though only for 20 admin employers. I just did a local search in my area for 'solicitors' (just something I picked) and cut and pasted 20 company addresses into my standard spec letter then emailed them. Very quick to do.

[Sekhmet79]

Thanks very much for your reply. The reason I asked that is that before I had to find 10 employers and had to do it all at the WP and I was there for 50 minutes doing that and I dread to think how long 50 would take me as he mentioned writing out envelopes but I would prefer to do it at home - all done and dusted next time I see him and they can just pay for the stamps.

[Mr.P]

If you plan on applying using letter, envelopes and stamps then best to get all the applications ready on a memory stick and then print them out at your next appointment using their materials. Why should you have to use your own paper, envelopes and ink? That's what the WP is for.

 

I would certainly recommend posting all fifty CVs/spec letters - Do a mail merge at home and have everything ready on a memory stick. Assuming they have a franking machine, it will cost them £16.50 for 2nd class post (£25 for stamps) - I'd be tempted to use large envelopes so that it goes to the next price bracket...

 

Tip: Use envelopes with windows - Saves having to generate address labels or write them out by hand.

Hand written addresses makes the envelopes stand out as begging letters. A4 or C5 envelopes with windows look much more professional.

 

I had my appointment yesterday and he seems a decent adviser on the whole, apart from the fact that he [...] swore quite a bit (f*cking, b*stard, pr*ck and sh*t was used).

 

Errmm.. No. This kind of language is totally unacceptable in a commercial environment. If I had someone talking to me like that, they would be shown the nearest window (and I'm on the third floor).

[Sekhmet79]

Thanks for the tips. I dont have a memory stick but am fine with using my own paper and ink as my mother brought some home from work and she can probably get some of those great envelopes you mentioned too. Yes, I was shocked at his use of language and wish Id have recorded our session now and wish I could throw him out of the window but I am just a wee lassy so unless he threw himself out of the window for me.. no chance lol

[Mr.P]

[...] and wish I could throw him out of the window but I am just a wee lassy so unless he threw himself out of the window for me..

 

"Kindly take your foul mouth out to the gutter where it belongs. There is a window of there you can use, or you can take the stairs."

 

Threatening to shove someone out of a window, can cause all sorts of problems, offering to open a window for them is not a threat

[jasta11]

I would certainly recommend posting all fifty CVs/spec letters - Do a mail merge at home and have everything ready on a memory stick. Assuming they have a franking machine, it will cost them £16.50 for 2nd class post (£25 for stamps) - I'd be tempted to use large envelopes so that it goes to the next price bracket...

 

What about asking for all 50 to be sent registered post too? After all, we want to be sure every potential employer has received our letter don't we

 

Well worth getting a memory stick, Sekhmet - they're handy things to have when taking stuff to the WP and even the smallest 1gig ones are more than enough to store hundreds of letters and documents on. Can be got for under £3. I've actually stopped using CDs for backup now and just buy these instead, they're that cheap.

[Sekhmet79]

lol Mr, P, you have a way with words

 

Thanks jasta11, I will look into getting one if they really are that cheap .