Work search review

[Jaybee in CF]

Hi all,

 

I've had a review booked by the JC,  however my understanding is that all commitment to look for jobs was suspended, and still not yet reinstated.

 

Is that still the case? 

Thanks   

[tomtom256]

No, they have all been re-instated or are in the process of being re-instated.

 

Hence the review, being booked.

[Jaybee in CF]

This is nuts.  35 people died in the last week, the union that represents the DWP's own staff confirmed that most of them felt unsafe going back into the office, yet they're expecting us to apply for jobs with employers who don't guarantee full WFH, the only viable transport overcrowded tube trains where "social distancing" is a punchline, workplaces in multi-tenant buildings with 20-something workers racing around.  Yes the economy needs to renormalize - but this is too damn soon. 

 

Job centre workers 'feel unsafe returning to work' - BBC News 

Edited April 20, 2021 by Jaybee in CF

[tomtom256]

But the DWP have been working throughout the pandemic, enduring public transport etc and it's really no different then nipping to the shops or the pub, which people have started doing.

Work is available and covid appears to be here to stay, so we need to get on with it. Can't really have a further 12 month lockdown.

[Jaybee in CF]

There's no "But"s. The government advice remains that we should maintain social distancing and wearing masks.  While that remains true, and that humans are obviously pretty crap at keeping distance and adhering to mask wearing, it is hypocritical of them to ask us to apply for jobs where we risk dying of Covid.  

The DWP are asking us to risk our lives in an ongoing pandemic.  This is unacceptable.  

[unclebulgaria67]

Nothing is 100% risk free.

 

Offices have been fitted with glass screens, require face masks to be worn, hand sanitiser to be applied and social distancing to be adhered to.

 

If you go to any office open to the public, whether it be a Bank, Insurance company or Job Centre, they will have taken all the precautions they can. 

 

If you are being invited to attend an office, this might suggest they have had issues with communicating with you by phone.

 

If you have anxiety which many people will have, due to the last 12 months we have experienced, then in most areas of the country, they are running anxiety management courses. Details should be available through GP Practives, Local Councils and also Job Centres.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Jaybee in CF]

The invitation was to a phone meeting, but that isn't my point.

 

We have variants arising roughly monthly, and no definitive assurance that the current vaccine stack will prevent death by one of the newer, potentially more malign mutations.  This is why the the government's insists people maintain SD/handwashing etc.  

 

While I wouldn't blame anyone for feeling heightened anxiety at this time, my concern is simply for the lives that are still being lost to this virus, and the obvious risk to others.  I am a member of 2, possibly more groups of heightened risk. 

We've all seen the huge numbers of fake jobs, and dubious employers / agencies that used the DWP job portal, there's clearly no care being taken to filter them, so I have no faith they would know how lax employers are, especially smaller private sector ones, with safety measures.  

Anyway I will be certain to add the risk groups to my journal, and inform the JC that the call is being recorded at my end.  

Edited April 21, 2021 by Jaybee in CF

[tomtom256]

So currently no actual risk then, if it's a phone appointment. Kind of pointless raising the topic, as no real change, other then having to start to fufill your requirements.

 

Commitments and normal "actively seeking employment" appointments will return as restrictions are removed, it may not be what you want to do, but you will need to attend your meetings, be that via telephone, video call or face to face or you may be sanctioned at a later date or facehaving your claim closed, depending on what benefit(s) you currently claim.
 

Many members of staff are also in the CEV and CV catagories, with quite a few having received shielding letters, who may not want to see customers face to face for the exact same reasons, however they are contractually obligated to do so or will face the exact same risk as you, being they get sacked.

What do you propose, we just leave it as it is and do nothing to get the country back on it's feet?

 

Those claiming Universal Credit as part of the pandemic have had to have appointments through out their claim and Legacy customers are currently being sent letters to attend appointments and create new commitments.

[unclebulgaria67]

Sounds like a recipe for economic disaster, if the country is stuck in a permanent lockdown or so restricted that companies cannot generate the income to keep going.

 

Government without the tax revenues from companies and workers, would then have think about cutting services and benefits.

 

An online shopping economy  with most people at home, is not a model that would be economically viable.  Can't see Amazon paying a higher rate of tax to HM Government.

 

Country has to return to normal with sensible PPE and social distancing.  Only the most vulnerable with severe health conditions should need to stay at home shielding.  By Autumn 2021 with the two vaccines having been given to most people, then as a population we should be protected as much as we can be.

 

I am more concerned about Governments ability to control people visiting the UK from countries with different Covid-19 variants. Once airlines start operating more flights this will become more difficult.

 

 

[Jaybee in CF]

We're already moving in the right direction, as of today, C19 deaths are no longer the leading cause of death.  We re-opened the economy last Summer, if you will recall, only after the number of deaths had fallen to single figures not per day, but per MONTH.  

 

BUT - that target hasn't been met yet this time - it's wrong for even ONE jobseeker to die who didn't need to be exposed.  

 

If the DWP had started calling back people in reverse age order to that in which the vaccines were distributed, so 18-20 first, then 20-25 etc, that I could understand.  However, that consideration was not made - as far as I know.  

 

 

[honeybee13]

I'm not clear what outcome you're looking for, Jaybee?

 

HB

[tomtom256]

But the vaccine doesn't stop the spread, it just lessens the impact.

 

As you currently have a telephone appointment booked, I don't see what your current issue is.

 

Yes, you will have to attend the jobcentre at somepoint, but this should be done in a safe way. My jobcentre is socially distanced for bot staff and customers to make it safer, with a one way system to follow to move aroound and spot cleaning after every face to face appointment. What else can be done to make you at ease?

 

As I said before, it's no different to nipping to the shops or the pub, as many people are now doing.

[Jaybee in CF]

2 hours ago, honeybee13 said:

I'm not clear what outcome you're looking for, Jaybee?

 

HB

From the site admin here?  Nothing (except everyone living to a ripe and happy old age), this thread should have petered out with my first reply to TomTom, he and that other nice chap then started asking about economics, to which I've just been responding since.  Now...as it's clear nobody has a workaround to this DWP policy, which some of you actually agree with, and of course there are gigabytes of material available for the X Lives Vs £Y debate, which ultimately is a diversion from the entire purpose of this great site, I don't see a need to keep growing the thread. 

From the DWP?  I want them to have the most basic of humanity (I'm sure knowing them as we all do that's asking a lot!!) to wait until we have a few weeks of data confirming that the people currently dying from Covid consist only of non-jobseekers, due either to being deep into retirement age, or extremely medically compromised.  Which, as people of ANY age are still dying, means this demand to seek jobs, where WFH isn't guaranteed for this dangerous transition period, is immoral and outrageous.  

Edited April 22, 2021 by Jaybee in CF