BS: At the Job Centre

Subject: RE: BS: At the Job Centre
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 06 Mar 07 - 08:15 AM

"Foolestroupe - I'm in bright colours today!"

Well, even if nobody sees you - you'l feel happier!

Subject: RE: BS: At the Job Centre
From: Scrump
Date: 05 Mar 07 - 11:18 AM

Scrump I would hope 'a highly qualified person' would know exactly which agencies have the type of job they are willing to undertake. It isn't the job centres role to spoon feed these 'highly qualified' people. I imagine jobcentres rely on employers advertising jobs with them.

Yes, GUEST, that's my point. The system in place expects us to attend regardless of what type of work we are seeking, yet wastes everybody's time by going through the pointless motions in accordance with their procedures. This is what I think the government should be looking at improving, i.e. providing a more appropriate service with more relevance to the individual "job seeker".

As I said, I was looking myself through the usual channels (agencies, ads in the press/Internet, networking, etc.) and I got a job without any help from the Job Centre. All they did was waste my time and theirs, and hence the taxpayer's money.

I didn't expect the Job Centre to 'spoon feed' me - far from it. I'd rather they had just let me get on and find work myself. On the other hand, I didn't expect to be given a hard time - they didn't seem to understand that there's often a longer lead time for skilled jobs (taking account of the more complex recruitment process - interview, short list, 2nd interview, etc.).

As I said, in the end I got a temporary low-paid job anyway, as I needed to pay the bills, pending a 'proper' job coming to fruition (which in my case it did in the end, fortunately for me).

Sorry for assuming you sat on your arse waiting for a suitable role, it was the assumption in your last paragraph to jobsworth, that they should find somewhere they 'like' to work. The majority of people have little enough pleasure in their working day, but they should not be expected to tolerate abuse and threats. And be told to look elsewhere if they find that aspect of their job not to their taste.

My question to Jobsworth was a simple one - I wondered if there was anything in Job Centre staff's contracts to prevent them taking advantage of their privileged position (with respect to job opportunities arising and being notified to them first) by applying for these jobs themselves, should they wish to.

I would have thought if they don't like the abuse and threats from some of their 'clients', looking elsewhere would be the best option. As I said above, I certainly sympathise with anyone who has to take abuse and violence when they are just doing their job, and I condemn those who behave in this way - it's totally unacceptable. But if it happens, I would have thought the best thing to do would be to get away from it if you can - I know I would try to if I was in that position.

Subject: RE: BS: At the Job Centre
From: GUEST
Date: 05 Mar 07 - 10:11 AM

Scrump I would hope 'a highly qualified person' would know exactly which agencies have the type of job they are willing to undertake. It isn't the job centres role to spoon feed these 'highly qualified' people. I imagine jobcentres rely on employers advertising jobs with them.

Sorry for assuming you sat on your arse waiting for a suitable role, it was the assumption in your last paragraph to jobsworth, that they should find somewhere they 'like' to work. The majority of people have little enough pleasure in their working day, but they should not be expected to tolerate abuse and threats. And be told to look elsewhere if they find that aspect of their job not to their taste.

Subject: RE: BS: At the Job Centre
From: bubblyrat
Date: 05 Mar 07 - 09:30 AM

Dear Mr. Jobsworth----- I have read your comments with interest !!
Let me apprise you of the situation regarding the Jobcentre in Staines ( The Town That God Forgot ). I pointed out that there were / are lots of jobs nearby,at Heathrow, but that everyone who applies MUST have a current passport, so would they (the JC) pay for mine to be renewed ?? Certainly not !!! I pointed out that I had spent YEARS as a fork-lift truck driver,with various employers including MOD & British Aerospace, but my licence had lapsed, could I go on a course to renew/ refresh it, at the JC's expense ?? Certainly not !!! I was finding it difficult to find another job, as I had been dismissed from my last one ( I made a comment about " Our Coloured Friends " ( my exact words ) & was sacked for racism !!!!!) so should I tell the truth when filling in an application form ??? "Christ ! No !!" they said ---" Don"t do that !! Tell " em you resigned, or something !! "
"So you want me to lie then ?? " I said. " Bloody right, mate ! "
"Can I use the lavatory,please ??" --- "No,you can"t----we int got a public one "ere ". " Where can I go then ?? " ," Dunno ! " ----so ,on the way out,I had a piss in the car-park just like everyone else !!

Perhaps you will have the great good fortune to be transferred there one day, Mr, Jobsworth.

Subject: RE: BS: At the Job Centre
From: Scrump
Date: 05 Mar 07 - 09:15 AM

Far from it, GUEST. I did take a temporary low-paid job for a few months (supermarket shelf stacker, night shift if you want to know) to help make ends meet while I was looking for 'proper' work. I'm not suggesting I'm 'above' such jobs, but if a highly qualified person goes along to the Job Centre, it would be more sensible for them to be referred to an appropriate agency that would have more suitable jobs, rather than expect someone with financial commitments (a mortgage, etc.) to work in McDonald's, when there are presumably low qualified applicants who could do these jobs just as well.

I hope I'm not an idiot, GUEST, just pointing out the shortcomings of the government's 'one size fits all' approach to getting people into work.

Subject: RE: BS: At the Job Centre
From: GUEST
Date: 05 Mar 07 - 08:53 AM

Scrump and shimrod are typical unfortunately of the idiots jobsworth has to deal with for not very good pay.

Patronising doesn't begin to describe you! Do you think the woman who mops the floor after you in the public toilets is brimming with job satisfaction? Or the bin man who gets up in the dark in winter to shift your accumulated rubbish?

Yet as 'professionals' you are above these jobs eh? Get real.

Subject: RE: BS: At the Job Centre
From: Jean(eanjay)
Date: 05 Mar 07 - 08:30 AM

HM Revenue and Customs
National Insurance Contributions Office
www.hmrc.gov.uk

Subject: RE: BS: At the Job Centre
From: Scrump
Date: 05 Mar 07 - 08:22 AM

ES40(formerly UB40)

I didn't realise they had changed their name (I'll get me P45)

How do I go about paying my own Ni contributions so I can get away from the awful job centre

One thing that amazed me was that when I attended the Job Centre (while unemployed) that they never explained this option was available to me. I didn't discover it until afterwards, when a friend told me that's what he had done. As I said earlier, if I'd known, I would gladly have taken this option rather than endure the indignity of attending that godforsaken place - and I imagine the government would have been only too happy to have me classed as 'employed' even though I would still have been out of work.

I don't know who you have to pay it to, presumably the Revenue & Customs, but I believe if you are out of work and paying the NI contributions yourself it is a fairly small amount per week (relative to what you would pay while in work). I don't know the details, but maybe you could check out the Revenue & Customs site.

Maybe Jobsworth will know though?

As a 'junior clerk', they won't listen to me.

One thing I don't understand, Jobsworth, is why you and others who don't like working at the Job Centre, don't find yourselves better jobs and move on. I assume if a good vacancy arises, you will be able to get the details and apply for it before anyone else. Or is there something in your contract that prevents you doing that?

Subject: RE: BS: At the Job Centre
From: Jean(eanjay)
Date: 05 Mar 07 - 08:09 AM

Foolestroupe - I'm in bright colours today!

Guest; Freddie - my son pays his own contributions. He is out at the moment but I'm almost certain that the envelope requesting them comes from the Inland Revenue. If nobody else answers your question I'll come back to you later when I've spoken to him.

Subject: RE: BS: At the Job Centre
From: GUEST,Freddie
Date: 05 Mar 07 - 05:06 AM

How do I go about paying my own Ni contributions so I can get away from the awful job centre

Subject: RE: BS: At the Job Centre
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 04 Mar 07 - 09:24 PM

"I seem to have spent hours and hours just waiting to be seen. "


Wear bright colours.

Subject: RE: BS: At the Job Centre
From: Jean(eanjay)
Date: 04 Mar 07 - 06:24 AM

People do turn up at the doctor or the dentist late and equally people who turn up promptly are still often seen late. It doesn't just happen at the Jobcentre.

I'm one of these people who always has to be somewhere early so I have to wait the amount of time I was early by, plus the amount of time that I'm seen late. I seem to have spent hours and hours just waiting to be seen.

Subject: RE: BS: At the Job Centre
From: GUEST,Jobsworth
Date: 03 Mar 07 - 06:52 PM

Hi Shimrod

The problem is that around a quarter of people I have to see, turn up late for whatever reason. It means that I either tell them to come back at another time, or see them, and someone else is kept waiting, which may account for your own experience.

If you have a dentist or doctors appointment, you don't turn up late. There are countless times when I am just about to go for my dinner break, or tea break (which I am allowed by law to have), when someone comes in late expecting me to see them. If there is a problem getting in, our phone number is on the ES40(formerly UB40) signing on book, and the appointment can be rearranged accordingly.

As per my previous post, if you are unhappy with the service, make a complaint. Equally, if you are happy with the service you receive, put it in writing as well. Each has its own consequence.

Subject: RE: BS: At the Job Centre
From: GUEST,Jobsworth
Date: 03 Mar 07 - 06:07 PM

The trouble is I'm not in a position to do anything about it, as it comes fron the government down. As a 'junior clerk', they won't listen to me.

My advice is to anyone who is not happy with the service, is to complain. There is a comments form available in every Jobcentre. Every complaint goes to the manager.

Write to your MP if necessary, as those complaints get dealt with straightaway. Its just an email away these days.

Complain to your MP

Subject: RE: BS: At the Job Centre
From: Scrump
Date: 03 Mar 07 - 01:26 PM

Jobsworth, thanks for your reply. I understand you must have to deal with some difficult 'clients' in your job, and it must be difficult at times.

Maybe the government needs to rethink the way Job Centres are run. Perhaps there should be different procedures for dealing with people such as me (and I suspect Shimrod?), i.e. experienced and qualified professionals who happen to be out of work later in their career (in my case through redundancy), as opposed to the young person who has just left school with no qualifications. I didn't feel that any attempt was made to handle these two very different situations any differently from each other.

Maybe you could feed back this comment to your bosses, as you are in a position to do something about it. It would presumably make your job easier too, if people were given more appropriate treatment, instead of this useless 'one size fits all' approach, that clearly doesn't work. Maybe this is the cause of some of the resentment that you have suffered in the past. I'm not excusing violence against Job Centre staff (far from it, I condemn it), but why make it difficult for yourselves?

Subject: RE: BS: At the Job Centre
From: GUEST,Shimrod
Date: 03 Mar 07 - 12:27 PM

"I work in a Jobcentre. The bottom line is you're asked to come in once a fortnight, on time. This isn't the hardest thing in the world to ask for. If you're late it means people who turn up on time will be seen late as a consequence."

Yes, 'Jobsworth' I would like to echo 'Scrump's' frustration. Last year I was in the same situation as Scrump. I always turned up on time and was always scrupulously polite. I was almost never seen on time and, although some of your colleague's were OK, some were, basically, patronising gits. I don't recall meeting a single member of staff who gave me any confidence at all that they could supply me with any relevant job vacancies and no-one seemed to have the faintest idea (or interest) in what I might be looking for. It seemed to me that it was all about going through meaningless bureaucratic motions.
And returning to the subject of turning up on time and punctuality, I was invited (with veiled threats) for interview on four separate occasions and on each occasion the interview was cancelled AFTER I had made the effort to arrive at the Job Centre ON TIME. On the fourth occasion it was only because I insisted that they interview me that they found someone (who was as useless as all the rest).
So, 'Jobsworth', before you dare to patronise people like me and Scrump, I suggest you look at putting your own house in order - or failing that, get yourself a proper job!!

Subject: RE: BS: At the Job Centre
From: GUEST,Observer
Date: 03 Mar 07 - 10:12 AM

The best kind of job to get out of a Jobcentre (or similar) is one of those agencies that run courses for the long-term unemployed, and get paid large Government subsidies to counsel and advise them; that is, another layer of bureaucracy

Subject: RE: BS: At the Job Centre
From: GUEST,Jobsworth
Date: 02 Mar 07 - 04:40 PM

Hi Scrump

I agree that the system is a bureaucratic nonsense sometimes, particularly in your case as outlined. However the customer has to be seen to be looking for a job, and we have to be seen asking them about it. We have to input information on a computer, and that information is regularly checked that it is sufficient, and if it isn't we are asked questions ourselves.

The other week a girl said she had been taken on a surprise birthday weekend abroad within the last fortnight. I could have said, your claim will be closed, and you will have to make a brand new claim, according to the rules. Instead I pretended she said Manchester, not Majorca and told her nice one, well done.

I work in an Inner city office, and we regularly contend with threats of violence as well. This can bear down on you, and you sometimes forget to put on a smile for the next person in the queue.

Subject: RE: BS: At the Job Centre
From: Scrump
Date: 02 Mar 07 - 10:16 AM

I work in a Jobcentre. The bottom line is you're asked to come in once a fortnight, on time. This isn't the hardest thing in the world to ask for. If you're late it means people who turn up on time will be seen late as a consequence.

If you had a job interview, you would be expected to turn up on time, or you wouldn't get the job, so why should signing on be any different? I manage to get to work on time everyday, from a different town, and I don't even drive.

You will find Jobsworths in all occupations. I don't consider myself one, and am willing to bend rules in certain situations. I try to be friendly, informal, and sympathetic to people's situations. However if clients are rude to you, you are hardly likely to go the extra mile for them. Myself, and most of my colleagues, who include casual workers, have signed on ourselves in the past, so we know what it's like.

I was never late for any appointment there, but I was saying they would have b*ll*cked me if I was (I saw it happen to other "Job Seekers"). I was always early, and they never kept to the appointed time. So please don't patronise me and lecture me about punctuality, Jobsworth. Obviously, I consider a proper job interview more important than the time-wasting charade of attending a Job Centre to be quizzed by a junior clerk who knew nothing about the type of work I was looking for.

The whole thing was a waste of time from my point of view. They were not geared up for finding work for anyone except the most mundane jobs for unskilled workers, yet they forced me to go through the motions of looking at the vacancies on their computer every week. There was never anything there except for that type of work (McDonalds dishwasher, cleaner, etc.). I didn't even want the JSA, but I was told I had to sign on to get the NI contributions paid, or I would lose out.

I was seeking work through the usual channels (agencies, job ads in the press/Internet, etc.) and eventually found work through my own efforts without any help at all from the Job Centre. I found the whole experience of attending there demeaning and humiliating, as I expect is their intention. After 30 years of paying their wages I felt I was entitled to a little more respect - but that counts for nowt in their eyes.

Jobsworth, I expect you are a nice person as you say (your comments indicate that you are), so please don't think I'm saying that all Job Centre staff are like that. That was just my experience, and it's something I hope I never have to go through again. Next time I find myself out of work I'd rather stay away from the Job Centre even if it means my NI contributions won't get paid. That would also keep the government happy, because it would be one less on the unemployment figures.

I wasn't even allowed to go on holiday without reporting to a Job Centre in the town I was visiting. They think paying me 53 quid a week entitles them to run my life, which is what I found the worst aspect.

Subject: RE: BS: At the Job Centre
From: Scrump
Date: 02 Mar 07 - 09:14 AM

How come you run a car scrump if you're unemployed?

Sorry, I should have highlighted that first line as a quote from fB. I'm not unemployed now.

Subject: RE: BS: At the Job Centre
From: Jean(eanjay)
Date: 02 Mar 07 - 08:27 AM

It's a bit like the dentist really (in more ways than one!) - at one time I never got in at the right time even though I always arrived early for the appointment (and there have been times when I've waited up to an hour at least), but one of my sons arrived a bit late one day and they refused to see him because he was late. My mother was so incensed at the injustice of it all that the next time she went and had waited several minutes, with no sign of being seen, she told them she could not wait any longer, asked for a new appointment to be sent and walked out. She told me that it made her feel better.

Subject: RE: BS: At the Job Centre
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 02 Mar 07 - 04:47 AM

To Guest Jobsworth

When I was signing on I always arrived on time but never got my interview at the allotted time - the best was 15 minutes late, the worst 2 1/2 hours - so I wrote them a nice letter and got a response but not an apology!

To those wanting to give up and paying your own stamp - become self-employed, you pay about a quarter of what it costs if employed, or unemployed!

Ugh!

Subject: RE: BS: At the Job Centre
From: fat B****rd
Date: 02 Mar 07 - 03:47 AM

Good morning, Guest Jobsworth. In my post of Feb 10th I did say that I realized many people are far, far worse off than myself. No, it's not much to turn up once a fortnight at a certain time and I was brought up far better than to be rude to people working anywhere let alone the JC staff here (Newton Aycliffe).

Subject: RE: BS: At the Job Centre
From: GUEST,Jobsworth
Date: 01 Mar 07 - 04:07 PM

I work in a Jobcentre. The bottom line is you're asked to come in once a fortnight, on time. This isn't the hardest thing in the world to ask for. If you're late it means people who turn up on time will be seen late as a consequence.

If you had a job interview, you would be expected to turn up on time, or you wouldn't get the job, so why should signing on be any different? I manage to get to work on time everyday, from a different town, and I don't even drive.

You will find Jobsworths in all occupations. I don't consider myself one, and am willing to bend rules in certain situations. I try to be friendly, informal, and sympathetic to people's situations. However if clients are rude to you, you are hardly likely to go the extra mile for them. Myself, and most of my colleagues, who include casual workers, have signed on ourselves in the past, so we know what it's like.

Subject: RE: BS: At the Job Centre
From: koprokephalos
Date: 01 Mar 07 - 02:15 PM

How come you run a car scrump if you're unemployed?

Subject: RE: BS: At the Job Centre
From: Scrump
Date: 01 Mar 07 - 08:54 AM

Called at The JC this morning watched people come in after me get called before me, finally got called 20 minutes after my appointed time.

That used to p*** me off. They would b*ll*ck me if I was a minute late for my weekly 3rd degree interrogation, yet if I turned up on time I was always kept waiting. I assumed it was another way to humiliate us "dole scum", probably government approved.

One week other people kept coming in and being called up - eventually I thought they must have forgotten me (which they had). It used to p*** me off even more because I had to pay to park in the carpark outside, and if it went on too long I'd risk a parking ticket which would have taken about 1/3 of the princely sum they used to give me.

It still makes me fume just thinking about those b******d jobsworths.

Subject: RE: BS: At the Job Centre
From: Donuel
Date: 28 Feb 07 - 04:21 PM

For what ever reason I did 4 grand photo illustrations of a parody job fair. They were funny and politically accurate.

I suggest he tell the job center people he is willing to re locate or commute. Since the hottest job market is in China he should ask for some traveling money - for interviews of course.

Subject: RE: BS: At the Job Centre
From: fat B****rd
Date: 28 Feb 07 - 03:48 PM

Called at The JC this morning watched people come in after me get called before me, finally got called 20 minutes after my appointed time. Decent sort of man asked me the usual questions to which I gave the usual replies. I asked why after all this time and having received 4 weeks JSA I get a letter asking if I took voluntary redundancy. The decent sort of man smiled and shook his head. I signed me name and left. Fascinating what ??
Yours grumpily suffering from Dunfermline 'flu. Chas.

Subject: RE: BS: At the Job Centre
From: An Buachaill Caol Dubh
Date: 26 Feb 07 - 02:32 PM

Thanks, GUEST noddy: without indulging in "thread creep", I think I tried that argument, but was told that if I'm expecting to go back, then I'm counted as "retained". It's a bugger.

Subject: RE: BS: At the Job Centre
From: fat B****rd
Date: 26 Feb 07 - 06:33 AM

Thank you for advice. I.m not on my own computer at the moment but I'll be back soon.
ATB from Charlie.

Subject: RE: BS: At the Job Centre
From: Dave Wynn
Date: 22 Feb 07 - 11:58 AM

I get no JSA but I get my stamp paid (just been made redundant and onto a company pension). I sign on coz it adds me to the official unemployment figures and annoys the interviewer (not their fault really but they are in the firing line).

The term contribution based JSA is a misnomer coz I qualify on contributions but because I have an income the JSA is reduced penny for penny of your income. I think I prefered a Conservative government coz at least I knew I was going to be screwed, this lot do it by stealth. :-)

Dave Wynn

Subject: RE: BS: At the Job Centre
From: Scrump
Date: 22 Feb 07 - 10:28 AM

he has to entertain clients
at fuctions in hotels up and down the UK

Looks like another Freudian typo there, jimlad9 :-)

-------------------------------------------------------
fB, I'm not sure what happens if you take voluntary reduncancy. I do know that when I was made redundant a few years ago (along with 900 others) we were offered the choice of 'converting' our compulsory redundancy to 'voluntary' redundancy (obviously, it wasn't really voluntary at all, because we were all being kicked out regardless, it was just a dodge by the company bending the rules to get rid of people more quickly).

They advised us that the advantage to us of taking VR instead of CR was that we were free to go instantly, and get a full month's pay (the notice period was a month), but the downside was we wouldn't be able to sign on if we did this. Taking CR meant we had to serve out the rest of our month's notice, and then we could sign on afterwards. The advantage to them of VR was they got shot of the staff quicker and could vacate the office space, etc.

The lads that were confident of walking straight into another job obviously opted for VR, as they were quids in, what with the redundancy pay they collected (depending on length of service). The rest of us, perhaps those over a certain age like me, decided it was safer to go for CR, even though we spent the rest of our time twiddling our thumbs with our feet up on the desk getting bored as hell (obviously looking for work, etc. as well).

So I hope you sort out your problem with those b*****ds. Good luck!

Subject: RE: BS: At the Job Centre
From: GUEST,Noddy
Date: 22 Feb 07 - 05:38 AM

Was your redundancy "Volantary" or were you pushed.
Did you get legal advice from the Union on taking the redundancy? If so get them to follow your claim for you.

Subject: RE: BS: At the Job Centre
From: fat B****rd
Date: 21 Feb 07 - 03:29 PM

Hello, again. Last week I finally had my signing on session (after waiting 40 minutes)with a helpful young lady who listened while I answered all her questions and informed me that she was putting my claim for Contribution Based JSA through immediately and that tje Sunderland Office would be dealing with it.
Tuesday 20.2.07 FOUR WEEKS JSA paid into bank. YEEEEEEEEEEAAAAHHH !!
Wednesday 21.2.07 A sinister brown envelope. Dear Chas. Would you explain the circumstances of your voluntary redundancy.
HHHHHEEEEEEEEEEEEELLLLLLLLLP MEEEEEEEEEEEEEE.

Subject: RE: BS: At the Job Centre
From: fat B****rd
Date: 10 Feb 07 - 03:53 PM

Thank you Noddy, I appreciate that and will bear it in mind.
This week I have been mainly getting conflicting advice from the Job Centre Staff. On Monday I 'phoned the number which I have in writing as a "must call" on my personal Job Centre forms. The Liverpudlian person on the end was pretty scathing about the whole thing and asked who told me to keep 'phoning the jobline. He said the best thing to do was call first thing Monday or last thing Friday. I 'phoned last thing Friday and a lady of indeterminate regional accent asked why I was 'phoning and who told me to 'phone Mondays and Fridays ?. I explained and she said that the best thing to do was (if possible) to look on the Internet.
Mind you it was a quarter to five on a Friday afternoon!.
I've now signed on twice in the last four weeks, scanned the Internet (there must be plenty of work in Employment Agencies)called in a local Temps Agency, given my details more or less in full twice and not been replied to three times and been told by a nice young lady in Sunderland that although my claim has been returned to my friendly local Job Centre that claims are usually in arrears of a few weeks.
I'm fully aware that there are folks in far, far worse circumstances than myself but what a FUCKING carry on.
Despite my count your blessings (I hope) mentality.......
..it's now not the principle...it's the money.
At least Grimsby Town have started scoring goals again.

Subject: RE: BS: At the Job Centre
From: GUEST,noddy
Date: 10 Feb 07 - 08:37 AM

hey fat b*****d when you move ask for a rapid reclaim. it is supposed to get it done quickly!!!??? but be prepared to be asked all the stupid questions again.

Hey An Bauchaill Caol Dubh can you not say that you are at the end of the contract period and you have not left voluntarily. It might be worth a try. Any way it will make those b****rs work.

Subject: RE: BS: At the Job Centre
From: An Buachaill Caol Dubh
Date: 09 Feb 07 - 11:11 AM

I know it's not directly related to the "Job Centre" issue, but there is a connection. I'm employed part-time by a business calling itself a University, but only for eight months of the year; during the other four, I'm certainly longing for other work, but, on visiting the Job Centre, found that although I'm not earning I'm nevertheless regarded as "employed" or "retained". I, and colleagues, recognise that we're paid for a number of hours which amounts to about half the number we actually have to do; in short, it's cynical and demeaning exploitation. However, if one were to leave this grind.... wouldn't that count as being "voluntarily unemployed", without any entitlement to anything at all? Anyone got any observations?

Subject: RE: BS: At the Job Centre
From: GUEST,Shimrod
Date: 03 Feb 07 - 10:22 AM

Well, 'able' I wouldn't begrudge anyone, male or female, useful re-training which helps them to lead happy and productive lives. What really gets my goat is an economic system that regularly disposes of skilled people as though they were so much trash (and then continually moans on and on and on about "skills shortages"). I also despise politicians and bureaucrats who institute systems and 'reforms' which promise to help people find new jobs but which turn out to be, when you need them, a useless and hollow sham.

Subject: RE: BS: At the Job Centre
From: able
Date: 03 Feb 07 - 10:06 AM

Same thing on this side of the pond. I was tossed on the pile due to health, no retraining even though my taxes paid for my one daughter to become a machinist (which she never worked at) and my other daughter graduated from 4 colleges and doesn't work because she can't bring herself to become that common. It is 17 years since I retired and have come to the conclusion that retraining is reserved for females, at least on this side of the Atlantic. Why not change genders and see how you make out.

Subject: RE: BS: At the Job Centre
From: GUEST,Shimrod
Date: 03 Feb 07 - 07:57 AM

A lot of the tales of the Job Centre ring very true with me. I got made redundo (ie.thrown on the scrapheap at 57) about 18 months ago. I get a small pension and I got a redundancy payout. I signed on, had to fill out a 50 million page form, and got told that I was only entitled to my NI contributions being paid (although I seemed to receive a lot of beauracratic correspondence about the £0.00 of JSA I was 'receiving'!).

I applied for lots of jobs but got nowhere (well, that's not entirely true - spent two horrible periods of a few weeks each in truly awful 'dead-end occupations' - long story which I won't bore you with - let's just say I'd rather starve).

Anyway, had to attend the Job Centre at 2 weekly intervals at which bored women told me that there was nothing they could do for me and it was all down to me. When I showed them a folder full of job applications they would say, "well, you're doing all the right things" and terminate the interview. Occasionally, I would get a fierce letter inviting me to an 'INTERVIEW'. On three occasions this was cancelled, when I got there, because of 'lack of staff' or industrial action. On the fourth occasion I refused to leave unless they INTERVIEWED me. They miraculously found someone, and, you've guessed it, it was a complete waste of time ("well, you're doing all the right things ...").

Fuck 'em - from now on I pay my own stamp!!

Subject: RE: BS: At the Job Centre
From: jimlad9
Date: 03 Feb 07 - 04:59 AM

Villan

I am pleased to tell you that you have passed the interview. Now when can you start?.


A true story a friend of mine tells is that as a Company Rep' he has to entertain clients
at fuctions in hotels up and down the UK. The morning after one of these 'do's he went to pay the bill for his clients and his own. The bill from one of his clients rooms included a telephone charge of nearly £1200. The guy had gone to bed worse for wear and rang a 'Chatline' then gone to sleep.

We imagined a sixty something year old granny with sagging boobs,no teeth and smoking Woodbines listening to the gobbin snoring for 6 hours.

Subject: RE: BS: At the Job Centre
From: Rasener
Date: 02 Feb 07 - 01:07 PM

I am just wondering how you get these jobs, where you sit at home and get phone calls from perverts who want you to get them all sexcited.

I would enjoy that, what a hoot.

Hello Jim, I have 6 ladies on my bed at the moment and non of them have any clothes on, Turn tape on of giggling nude ladies on my bed.

OOOOOh says the caller

Now girls, will you not take my clothes off. Oh my god you girls are so hot. Turn tape on of the bed creaking and heaving away.

And so on :-) LOL

What an easy way to earn money.

Anybody know?

Subject: RE: BS: At the Job Centre
From: Scrump
Date: 02 Feb 07 - 08:54 AM

I sympathise with what you say above, bubblyrat.

When I was made redundant a few years ago, I had a fair amount of dosh as redundancy pay, having been with the company a long time. I was told I had to sign on for JSA, or my NI contributions would not get paid. I didn't actually want the JSA, partly because I didn't need it, and partly as a matter of personal pride, I suppose, as I'd never claimed any dole money before, having worked for 30+ years and paid my NI and tax in full.

I hated being signed on, because they treated me like s**t, and I had to attend the weekly grilling (what jobs had I applied for? what interviews, etc.). The JSA was around 50 quid and nowhere near enough for anyone to live on (except maybe a kid living at home with their parents rent-free), and like I said, I'd gladly have foregone it to escape from the demeaning experience of being signed on.

Even when I went on holiday for week, I had to arrange to visit the Job Centre. I don't think I was allowed to go abroad, although I'm not 100% sure about that (do they have Job Centres in other countries?) and it didn't arise during my time signed on.

After 6 months they stopped the 50 quid payments, but I still had to attend because of the NI situation. If you don't pay them, or have them paid for you, you lose out when you retire (although by the time I retire I don't expect there will be any money left for a pension anyway, so I don't know why I bothered).

I found out afterwards, I could have made up the NI contribs myself in cash. If I'd known what I now know, I'd have done that as the lesser of 2 evils. Thankfully I now have a job, so it's in the past for me, but I certainly didn't enjoy the experience and feel sorry for others who have to go through it.

Subject: RE: BS: At the Job Centre
From: Jean(eanjay)
Date: 02 Feb 07 - 07:58 AM

It's exactly the same up here in Yorkshire. Good point.

Subject: RE: BS: At the Job Centre
From: bubblyrat
Date: 02 Feb 07 - 06:36 AM

The entitlement to income-based Jobseekers Allowance is somewhat precarious. Having been on JSA for 6 months,I was told to apply for the income-based version,which I did. However,it was refused,because my partner is on long-term incapacity benefit,& with my tiny naval pension,puts us just over the official figure for what the government says two people need to live on,which is 125 pounds per week----to live on----rent---food---electricity--council tax---phone bill--car tax & insurance----petrol---clothes---etc.etc. Well,can"t be done,at least not in Surrey!! So off to the Town Hall ,& they end up paying for the Big Ones,ie Rent & council tax. The point is,you work all your life,pay in to a COMPULSORY welfare system, then get told you can"t have your own money back,,!! What other nation on Earth would be docile enough to put up with a CON like that??Especially from a government that refuses to confront the problem of Age-ism in the workplace !! At age 60 (this year) I will probably never work again---one applies for jobs,sends off CV's, attends the odd interview,but you never hear from them again ( especially if you've got QUALIFICATIONS and EXPERIENCE----They HATE that !!) ----of course,if I was a disabled asylum-seeker from God -knows-where,I would be "in the money ", but a white Englishman from Henley on Thames ??? No chance !!

Subject: RE: BS: At the Job Centre
From: Big Phil
Date: 01 Feb 07 - 11:40 PM

What about a job in Parliament as an MP. Great pay, great pension, great perks, no work of any description to do, Plenty of time swanning off abroad, not involving any type of graft of course, you may also have to get used to part time work as not many MP's seem able to do a full week, the list just goes on and on, the only qualification needed for this job, you must be able to defend the undefendable while lying through your back teeth and keeping a straight face.. thinking of your £100 grand a year job, which can easily be doubled with its PERKS. Nice little job if you can get it......

Subject: RE: BS: At the Job Centre
From: fat B****rd
Date: 01 Feb 07 - 03:19 PM

Too true, eanjay. We're moving to Scotland ASAP and although the charming young lady at Newton Aycliffe Job Centre tells me that a simple transfer will suffice..........

Subject: RE: BS: At the Job Centre
From: Jean(eanjay)
Date: 01 Feb 07 - 03:15 PM

The trouble with things like this, housing benefit etc. if anything changes you have to go through it all again.

Subject: RE: BS: At the Job Centre
From: JeremyC
Date: 01 Feb 07 - 03:09 PM

I'm gonna suggest "Babysitter" and "Bramble Picker," since I, an American, am the only person who's a big enough nerd to make the reference (where are the UK nerds here?).

Subject: RE: BS: At the Job Centre
From: fat B****rd
Date: 01 Feb 07 - 03:06 PM

Yeah, I've just "signed on" for the first time in years. I went to the wrong place at first. Signing on involves making a (actually 4) 'phone call to find that the systems crashed. when I finally made contact I gave my NI number and details and was told to expect a 'phone call the next day. LO ! at 8 the next morning I had a 50 minute chat with a very helpful young man who asked me all sorts of questions which I did my best to answer. Soon I recieved a 17 page document requiring all manner of proofs of mine and my wife's status,savings etcetc. They misprinted my final weeks wage (which had included redundancy pay) as about £406,000 !! I bloody wish. Churlishly I refused to fill it in, went along to my local Job Centre and was lucky to find "Mike" (It's all very pally nowadays) who told me to apply for contribution based JSA. Much simpler. A few not too arduous attempts to find work and what happens on my first signing on day. Bloody industrial action !! The call to tell me not to attend came after I'd left home to do just that.
I await my fist £57.45.
Sorry about going on a bit but what a fucking performance.