To this is absolutely insane! Universal Credit Sanction

I think that’s the standard process if you miss an appointment and do not contact them with a reason why and rebook. I don’t think it’s going to be beneficial for you to go in there and complain. She’s an adult and if she can’t attend due to MH issues then she needs to tell them that as otherwise it just looks like she’s not bothering to attend.

The way the DWP run UC is absolutely ridiculous. It's all tick boxes and robots, and slow robots at that. Occasionally there is a nice advisor who sympathises that some of what the DWP expects is stupid, but they often aren't paid enough to bother even thinking about doing anything about it. The hoops are set out and you have to jump through them, BUT if a UC advisor or case manager makes a mistake (which they do), then you will have to fight for months and months on end to have it solved. And there will be absolutely no apology or accountability afterwards.

So don't listen to anyone telling you to have your daughter suck up to them and act all contrite. Being nice won't get her anywhere, they don't care, they're not going to let her off because she's sad and sorry. Equally, complaining about the rules won't get her anywhere either.

She just needs to take it on the chin and not do it again, and don't give it a second thought.

On a slightly different note, could your daughter benefit from some additional training? Something different to her background?

How old is she and what sort of thing is she applying for?
What does she want to do?

I'm so sorry for your personal circumstances icantwaitforsummer. However you're being very judgemental of the OP's daughter. Benefits are not 'free handouts', they are paid for by taxes paid by all of her family and friends and she will contribute in her own taxes as soon as she finds work. She is obviously very keen to work and the system is set up to punish people who are struggling and vulnerable.

A wealthy society such as the UK's should support those who through no fault of their own cannot work or cannot find work.

If an appointment clashes with work hours, you message UC explaining and they will rearrange quickly. It’s very easy, this is why they are harsh on no shows!

What do you mean by “they haven’t helped her find a job”?
I don’t think that’s the benefit office’s actual remit?

Exactly that's how the system works. She should have attended the appointment or at least asked if the time could be changed if she had a good reason for not being able to attend. Why is she spending the whole day in bed.

Oh also I agree AI is awful. I keep seeing former colleagues being made redundant on LinkedIn and salaries going lower and lower. I bowed out and retrained where AI can't be used.

OP you need to read up on the government website for UC sanctions because something isn’t right here. They don’t take all your money for one low level offence. You need to appeal.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/universal-credit-sanctions#sanction-levels

I'm sorry you're having a tough time, depending on your children ages you may be entitled to extra help on Student Finance (and UC) but please check as I'm not sure 100% if the rules have changed or not. A lot of people have had to step into their savings or move back home to study. People suggest teaching as not enough teachers and its only a year course. It's hard having to retrain. OP daughter seems to be single and childfree atm, so it will be easier for her hence people suggesting retraining.

I actually admire her for speaking up. Most of us would also have been shocked, but walked away saying nothing, thus condoning the remark. I realise it won't be any consolation, but it's clear that if that's the MD's attitude, she's probably had a very lucky escape because his attitude will dictate the culture and atmosphere within the company, and his firing of her was retribution for her speaking out.

How is she applying for 'a 1000 jobs' if she's sleeping 16 hours a day?

Say nothing, smile, move on. Sadly it doesn’t give a very good impression to have been at the previous company only 6 months and then to lose this job in a very short time. Has she registered directly with any agencies? That helps more than indeed in my experience.

This does not surprise me, I saw 'I Daniel Blake' which highlighted benefit sanctions.

If you did not vote in 2010 or voted Tory then, you are of course partly responsible.

I don't think some people realise how challenging the job market is at the moment. Not many young people have the foresight to research what sectors have the most vacancies at age 17 when you apply for UCAS/make FE/post-education decisions and plan their education pathways accordingly. We are sold the lemon that if you are academic and work hard and gain a degree you will get a job, and many now are finding this is not the case.

AI and digital technology is eradicating thousands of entry-level roles in the UK and worldwide. It is possible that soon most entry-level admin roles in the NHS (the UK's biggest employer) will be gone. Even highly skilled roles are hard to find. People using AI on their applications mean that employers receive thousands of 'perfect' CV's for every role. How are you supposed to pick the best candidate out of all of that, or even read every application? They use AI to filter down the AI!

I find the 'just retrain' comments so narrow-minded. Going back to school costs a lot of money and sectors such as teaching or nursing or tech are not for everyone. Such is the economy at the moment that even skilled posts are very hard to find. Soon, up to 30,000 people who worked in NHSE/ICB's will all be on the job market; people who were previously highly-taxed earners. What will this do to the economy?

I know this is straying from the point OP was making but I absolutely have sympathy for this young person who is trying desperately to find a job.

You are wasting your time going there with her either all guns blazing or politely, unless you have familiarised yourself with the law regarding good cause to miss an appointment, and the level of sanction that can be applied, and are sure that the law has not been properly implemented. Good cause is defined and doesnt include forgetting. Sanction rates and length are also set out. Its all on the gov website. Check its all in order and if it is, your DDs only option is a hardship payment. This will need to be repaid from her UC, but will enable her to buy essentials.

With UC you have a journal which you can message your work coach. If she was to message her work coach before the appointment explaining why she couldn't make it, she wouldn't have been sanctioned. They would have rearranged her app. They always text 24hours before the appointment as well to remind so there's no excuse really.
It's strict for a reason.

OP it's a horrible system. These "sanctions" are inhumane and quite apart from being unfairly punitive relative to the "breach" (a fifteen minute lapse is not worth a month of anyone's money) are absolutely counter-productive in practical terms - if a person is already struggling to do the things they need to do, like go to appointments, throwing them into absolute poverty with no resource at all is only going to deepen and prolong their difficulties. All this "claimant commitment" language is bullshit - claiming benefits is not the same as being in employment, there is no mutually beneficial bargain or reciprocity here - it's just a way of dressing up being really fucking nasty to people who are already at the bottom of the pile.

Can she do any addition courses or find volunteer work to show what she is spending her time doing outside of job hunting? Might make her more attractive. Is she asking for feedback on unsuccessful interviews?

id also consider finding a career coach or similar to give specific advice on the cv, the job centre are not likely to be best placed to advise on specific corporate roles. It will be very generic advice they are giving.

has she seen a doctor regarding her mental health? She really should and probably get some support for it. Finding meaningful ways to spend her days, giving herself a routine and reminding herself that this can and will change will really help.

I claim due to low wages, I've never been asked to go for one.

Brush over it and change the subject. She could've made a mental note then kept a log to raise with HR if it was an ongoing issue. But if she thinks it's smart to call her boss rude from the off, then they're right, she's not going to fit in.

Applications-wise, applying to zillions on Indeed is not going to have much impact. She needs to be more strategic. Network, volunteer, develop contacts, do an extra qualification (which would also help with the gap on the CV). There are better ways to use your energy than having a go at the job centre staff, when the bottom line is she broke the rules, and does live at home so isn't up shit creek.

Call UC for hardship payment (it is recoverable but will come out in small amounts from her future payments).. and ask them when she can have another hardship payment (in case her next payment is small too).
Also consider Discretionary assistance fund, a sanction is a good reason

Do nothing. If she had to say something, a generic “oh right” or “oh ok. Well it was lovely to meet you…” and change the subject.

Having the courage of your convictions is all well and good but it doesn’t put food in your stomach (or in her case, pay her phone bill). I think she was mad to put a target on herself like that.

She should have ignored the comment, and then plan an exit strategy. Calling your boss out on your first meeting is really not a good career move.

1500 applications and only 2 interviews? I find that hard to believe but if it is the case, then I’d suggest she asks for an appointment with a job coach the next time she is at the job centre.

By the way, if she asks and has evidence of an interview, the job centre can help with the travel costs.