Graduate and JSA

[kken67]

My son finished his degree (Acting BA Hons) on 20th June. We didnt realise he could claim JSA but found out and claimed last weekend. He was called in for an interview today and said he was treated like trash, spoken down to and told he must take any job doing anything regardless. He is far from workshy but considering he has just accrued thousands of pounds student loan etc debts he thought they would give him a few weeks to try to find something in his field of training. I seem to remember years ago they did this. In addition, he has to sign on every week. Is this the norm now? He has come home feeling like something the woman stood in and says he is thinking of cancelling his claim at least for the next few weeks so he can try to find something in his field or something associated so they dont force just anything on him. He has no intention at all of sitting on jsa but wants to be honest and not say he is looking for anything when he isnt really. I said he could cancel his claim temporarily and see how he goes and that the fact he wants to be honest about his job search would stand in his favour. Didnt they used to allow them some 'grace' time to look for work within their training and then start insisting they widen their search or has that long gone. And since when did people have to sign on every week. Also what gives anyone the right to speak so badly to someone else. He has already shown a 3 year commitment to bettering himself, paid a fortune for the privilege and is being treated like a waster!

[Lapsed Workaholic]

The general rule is:

When you first sign on you can look for work in your usual occupation for up to 13 weeks - unless you are a school leaver; have never worked before or your trade no longer exists.

I thought this bit of lee-way also applied for graduates.

But as you say, it’s a cruel, heartless world, the world according to DWP.

[Madamfluff]

Its not a case of being 'honest' if he signs for JSA its a contract which requires for him to look for a Job that's why its called JOB seekers allowance by all means he can try to apply for a job in his chosen field first but if those jobs are hard to come by then if he wants to accept public money he has to look for other jobs.

 

 

Sorry he is being treated like a waster after only 3 years commitment, but then I was treated the same after 43 years commitment to work.

 

 

I am afraid its called the real world and he is welcome to it

[kken67]

Its not a case of being 'honest' if he signs for JSA its a contract which requires for him to look for a Job that's why its called JOB seekers allowance by all means he can try to apply for a job in his chosen field first but if those jobs are hard to come by then if he wants to accept public money he has to look for other jobs.

 

 

Sorry he is being treated like a waster after only 3 years commitment, but then I was treated the same after 43 years commitment to work.

 

 

I am afraid its called the real world and he is welcome to it

 

I also have a friend in his 60's who I would give a job to like a shot if I was an employer. He was made redundant over a year ago and has tried so hard to find a job, gone on the trials, workshops etc but because of his age they are not interested. I actually know of a lady (call her that loosely) who is taking on jobseekers for work trials, no intention of employing them at all and actually said to one that she finds it hilarious she can get free labour.

My son hasnt just done 3 years commitment to bettering himself, I was referring just to his degree time and the thousands he has to pay back. His student debt alone is in the 10's of thousands at 21 yrs old. He obviously went through school, college etc aswell and worked part time until the demands of his degree and the hours he was keeping meant he couldnt keep the job up. He wasnt one of the people who only went in 2 days a week or something. Their course often finished at 10 at night after a 8.30 start and had so much coursework on top. People seem to think an acting degree is a breeze but I can assure you they are mistaken and the number of dropouts was high once they realised the true extent of the workload. He has worked so hard but graduates next Thursday so thats good. Like I said, he has no intention of milking the system, he has a good work ethic or indeed conning them. People have suggested to him that he 'plays the game' and make it look like he is applying out of his training but he doesnt feel right doing that. My initial question was literally about initial time to look within his field and the fact that although he is a motivated and honest young man, he was treated like s**t. I am a teacher of yr 11's and I hear first hand how some of them are 'just gonna claim dole cos its free money'

[SabreSheep]

I feel for him.

 

The system is so warped and unfit for purpose its unbelievable. Job centers should be renamed "Enforcement Centers" as that's what they are in reality.

 

I was lucky. I got a decent adviser that even though did not help much at least she was not making my life any harder.

On my own back I am about to begin a new career at 34 yrs old. I too went to university etc. I spent 11 years with a single employer and fought a discrimination claim that resulted in me leaving the company. It made me ill. I did "win" though.

 

My issue is that I now have a start date in August in writing and also confirmed my acceptance. I now have to waste employers time by applying for jobs to to keep JSA when in reality I have no intention of carrying through with those applications. I'm wasting company's time, deforesting a small wood every sign on and taking up valuable time of an adviser that COULD be helping people that need it. As I trained in Human Resource Management seeing this just strikes me as a tragic waste of resources and undermines the credibility of the job center.

 

What my adviser DID do for me though was prevent me being referred to the work program. She saw little point as I would be there for a couple of weeks and then gone.

 

In meantime as my career change requires lots of examinations and training (All paid by the new company) I have spent my time buying books and swatting up for the exams before I have even begun my training )

 

Best advice for your son.

 

Find some voluntary work related to the field he wants to work in. Declare any expenses to JC+ This provides proof that he is being active and may shelter him from some of the ****. Even getting a part time job in a pub and declaring the income will help. Yes it will reduce his jsa and other benefits a bit but it keeps his CV moving, Keeps him active and keeps him talking to people. And actually working in a pub can be good fun especially if you just left uni. A part time job also shelters him from some of the **** the JC gave.