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Original poster

To take a job with the DWP even though I will lose friends

468 replies

Sunsnet · 05/04/2024 17:50

I currently work a minimum wage job in retail. It's long hours, exhausting and for really shitty money. Sometimes I earn less than minimum wage as I'm salaried and not entitled to overtime.

I've just been offered a job with the DWP. I'll earn 50% more, have a WAY better pension plus more benefits. I'll even be able to work fewer hours so I can spend more time with my family and STILL be better off than now. BUT, I have friends who think the DWP is immoral and by working for them I will be implicit in that immorality.

I agree that the way the DWP works at the moment is immoral, but surely we need good people to work there to ensure that people who need the help and are entitled to it actually get it. Or am I just clutching at straws to justify my position?

I have one friend in particular who says they will never speak to me again if I take the job. This friend is independently wealthy and never needs to work again, I am not. I do not own property, have a family to support, I'm a single parent and I have no qualifications so have no hope of a better job.

Would I really be that awful a person to sell out and take this job?

OP posts:
Kalevala · 05/04/2024 18:02

As long as you can stick to your morals and keep the job then it's fine.

MinervaMcGonagallsCat · 05/04/2024 18:01

Jasmin1971 · 05/04/2024 17:57

The real question is "could you actually live with yourself if you did? "
I am sorry, but you would need a heart of stone to do what those people do to a lot of vulnerable people. I certainly couldn't maintain a friendship with anyone who chose to work for them.

How very silly. Give your head a wobble.

BettyShagter · 05/04/2024 18:01

You have some very strange friends OP.

It makes me wonder why you told them in the first place?

Ponderingwindow · 05/04/2024 18:01

Take the job.

No worker can fix the policies that make the system imperfect. All you can do is treat people with respect and kindness while they interact with that system that isn’t designed to recognize the individual.

Topofthemountain · 05/04/2024 18:01

I spoke to someone at the DWP today, very nice man he was, just doing his job like us all.

I do wonder how people can be PIP assessors and square that with their professional standards but that isn't relevant here.

PonyPatter44 · 05/04/2024 18:00

haveyoutriedturningitoffandonagain · 05/04/2024 17:53

Is it HMRC? I have friends who work for hmrc they are perfectly normal people hahahaa

Show quote history

How very dare you, I do have some morals you know!

Nah, I am not clever enough to work for HMRC. My job is more about keeping naughty people locked up and off the streets.

RampantIvy · 05/04/2024 18:00

You need better friends.
We all need a roof over our heads, to be able to heat it and to eat.

NCForQuestions · 05/04/2024 18:00

Your friends aren't going to pay your bills or help you financially.

DWP also manage people's pensions, sickness benefits, carers benefits, and child benefit.

Without the staff at DWP these things wouldn't be paid.

Yes, there are huge problems with the way DWP implement things, but that's not in the gift of most staff to change.

I'm a believer in working in a system like this allows you to help people rather than screw them. If you're a competent person who does their job properly, you'll make a huge difference to people's lives whether you're on the phones, a case manager, or not public facing at all.

DelilahsHaven · 05/04/2024 17:59

Jasmin1971 · 05/04/2024 17:57

The real question is "could you actually live with yourself if you did? "
I am sorry, but you would need a heart of stone to do what those people do to a lot of vulnerable people. I certainly couldn't maintain a friendship with anyone who chose to work for them.

Don't be silly.

hotwheelshell · 05/04/2024 17:59

Jasmin1971 · 05/04/2024 17:57

The real question is "could you actually live with yourself if you did? "
I am sorry, but you would need a heart of stone to do what those people do to a lot of vulnerable people. I certainly couldn't maintain a friendship with anyone who chose to work for them.

A job is a job. Get off your high horse

ToxicChristmas · 05/04/2024 17:59

Take the job.
Your "friends" aren't worth having. A wage is.

Cosycover · 05/04/2024 17:59

Oh well. Bye bye bitch.

Send huge congrats to you! Well done!

CharlotteLightandDark · 05/04/2024 17:59

I think the job will be pretty soul destroying after a while but might be a good step into other roles away from min wage retail.

maybe do it for a year or so and see how you get on?

MinervaMcGonagallsCat · 05/04/2024 17:59

You take the job and find some real friends.

What idiots they are.

WotNoUserName · 05/04/2024 17:59

WTF! I've been fighting with the DWP to get my disabled son the benefits he needs. They are pain in the arse! However I don't blame any individual person for that and if any of my friends were offered a job with them then I wouldn't even give it a second thought, let alone think of never talking to them again!

Is your "friend" going to help you out with bills etc as the cost of living rises? No, I didn't think so. They are no friend.

Melonportal · 05/04/2024 17:59

That's ridiculous. There's nothing wrong with working for the DWP.

Runnerinthenight · 05/04/2024 17:58

Jasmin1971 · 05/04/2024 17:57

The real question is "could you actually live with yourself if you did? "
I am sorry, but you would need a heart of stone to do what those people do to a lot of vulnerable people. I certainly couldn't maintain a friendship with anyone who chose to work for them.

Don't be ridiculous!! It's just a job, like any other job.

Hollyhock4 · 05/04/2024 17:58

How is the DWP immoral? The staff working there don't make the rules - they just carry them out.They are made by politicians. It's very easy for someone of independent means to tell you what to do. I would say consider your own position and what you need carefully. It seems a strange thing for "friends" to say. You can, if necessary find new friends.

Throwawayme · 05/04/2024 17:58

These idiots are not your friends. Imagine judging someone for taking a new job to better their situation. Take the job and congratulations on it! You can always make new friends

CheapThrillsMeanNothing · 05/04/2024 17:57

@Sunsnet
Take the new job and dump the friends. Your first loyalty is to you and your kids.

Jasmin1971 · 05/04/2024 17:57

The real question is "could you actually live with yourself if you did? "
I am sorry, but you would need a heart of stone to do what those people do to a lot of vulnerable people. I certainly couldn't maintain a friendship with anyone who chose to work for them.

Runnerduck34 · 05/04/2024 17:57

Take the job- do what's right for your family.
You will probably find you are constrained by procedures and may only be able to make limited difference but kindness and empathy can go a long way.
Your friend who has financial security without working has no idea what it's like to walk in your shoes- a real friend would understand.

hotwheelshell · 05/04/2024 17:57

Take the job! Christ I can't believe people have such strong opinions on where their friends work! Wow

Chasingsquirrels · 05/04/2024 17:57

Its a job, you aren't going to be setting government policy.
Take it, get better friends.

Pixilicious1 · 05/04/2024 17:57

Cheeky bastards! Are they going to pay your bills and feed your children? If not then they don’t get an opinion! How dare they! As you can tell I am outraged on your behalf