to think this is akin to slave labour.

[northernsoul78]

A friend on JSA is expected to do 30 hours mandatory (voluntary) work in a charity shop for 30 hours per week and apply for at least 10 jobs per week. It wouldn't be so bad if the voluntary work wouldbe likely to lead to a job but ofcourse it won't.
Aibu

[shutupandshop]

So sitting on their arse while getting paid is better?

[AliceInUnderpants]

Is this because she has been claiming JSA for an extended time, or is she a new claimant?

[JumpandScore]

I thought this was one of those things that was suggested but never introduced?

Fwiw, I do think volunteering is helpful to those looking for work, not least because the whole routine of getting up and going to "work" reliably and on time can and does help people get back to paid work. Also I'd say having regular shifts in a charity shop would be an excellent addition to a cv.

How's she going to find a job if she's not applying for 10 per week?

[Flumplet]

No, it's not slave labour because she is receiving payment - and this work is part of the conditions of receiving said payment. If she doesn't want the money, she didn't have to do the work.

[spritefairy]

Yabu. She still gets paid unlike slaves.
I had to do it once I had been on jsa for 6 months.

[catfordbetty]

Something mandatory cannot also be voluntary but, in any case, what you describe is not 'slave labour'.

[GruntledOne]

The idea is presumably to improve his chances of getting a job by getting some work experience on his CV and maybe some good references, and in particular demonstrating that he has a track record of being able to get to work on time every day, work conscientiously, get on with his workmates etc etc.

I disagreed strongly with this when it was providing cheap labour to Poundland and saving them having to employ people, but if it's a charity shop it seems OK to me. The only question is really whether there are enough jobs going in charity shops for the number of potential candidates.

[Savagebeauty]

And it will give her experience which may lead to a job

[twofingerstoGideon]

YANBU. If people are expected to work for their benefits, they should 'earn' the minimum wage at least.

[FuzzyWizard]

YANBU- fine to say they have to work- not fine for them not to be paid minimum wage for doing so. It's wrong- minimum wage is just that- the minimum anyone should be paid to work. Obviously people can volunteer to work for free but if it's not bloody voluntary then it makes a complete mockery of the whole idea of having a minimum wage. Why pay workers at all if they can be forced to work for free?

[MissFitt68]

She's getting experience and a reference as well as keeping her busy!

[Nataleejah]

YANBU
Volunteering is good, but then corporations exploit people on taxpayer's expense instead of creating jobs.

[Ohbehave1]

Nataleejah. They are talking about charity shops so it will not be like doing the work for a large corporation!

[twofingerstoGideon]

She's getting experience and a reference as well as keeping her busy!
She may also be incurring childcare costs, travel costs, etc. to work for approx £2/hour (if that). Still, as long as she's 'keeping busy'.

[JumpandScore]

Lol, Gideon, I think Op might have mentioned it if that were the case

[MissFitt68]

Kids will be at school?
Travel costs? Who knows but what else would she be doing with her time then?

[Unreasonablebetty]

Do you not feel that this is incredibly insultive to ask? Considering there are people in other countries, banana and coffee bean farmers work 70 odd hours a week to not have half the standard of living that someone in this country does on benefits, that doesn't need to get off their arse for the privilege.

I think it's a great opportunity for those out of work to gain a decent and recent reference, whilst getting them ready to face work life again.

People in this country seem to believe that the government owes them a living, which is beyond sad. If she doesn't like working for JSA maybe she will get a job where she earns her wages.

[JumpandScore]

So what would you suggest she does to improve her chances of finding work Op (and others who disapprove?)

[MissFitt68]

Oh dear gideon

It's a temp thing.... A means to a ( hopeful) end....a job!

Yes, keep her busy! Maybe make new friends, see life differently, give herself a chance..., or she could sit at home watching daytime tv or doing housework or whatever else

[Heatherplant]

It's not slavery is it. It's not unreasonable to expect someone on job seekers allowance to actually be seeking a job nor is it unreasonable to keep that individual used to working through voluntary work in a charity shop. Sorry your friend lost her job and I hope she finds something else pretty soon.

[HelenaDove]

Glad you mentioned that Betty. Because the chocolate and cocoa produced by those farmers then gets sold over here by the very same companies using workfare, with the words FAIR TRADE stamped all over the product.


The hypocrisy boggles my mind.

[PrincessMouse]

IMHO, I really can't see a problem with what your friend has been asked to do.

From a future employment prospective I completely agree having recent charity work experience on his/her CV will place your friend in a better position with potential employers than not having recent experience.

I also agree getting or continue the work life routine (get up, get to work on time etc.) is much better than staying at home.