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Original poster

AIBU to feel annoyed by fit people refusing to work?

108 replies

Lazypeopleannoyme · 09/04/2026 13:28

I get really annoyed when I see perfectly fit people not working and then complaining that they are forced to go back to work.

I know if a woman that has lost custody of her 3 children. One was put into care with her parents because the father didn’t want to take care. The other 2 are living with their father.

She pays no maintenance for them because she isn’t working. Her benefits are being cut and all she does is complain to the fathers that she has no money and wants them to pay her living costs and her petrol to collect the children.

OP posts:
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pointythings · 22/04/2026 18:08

JohnTheRevelator · 22/04/2026 16:55

You can't tell if someone is fit or not just by looking at them. There are invisible disabilities. Even visible disabilities are not always immediately obvious and I speak as one who is disabled. I am currently struggling to walk (osteoarthritis in both hips) and have fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis in my knees elbows and shoulders. If you looked at me whilst I'm sitting down,you wouldn't know there was anything wrong with me.

Same with my DS. He uses a wheelchair for anything more than the smallest of distances, because he risks dislocating or subluxing any limb or part thereof at any time.

But if you saw him sitting in a park, you'd think he was fine. He works, but the principle of invisible disabilities is the same.

JohnTheRevelator · 22/04/2026 16:55

You can't tell if someone is fit or not just by looking at them. There are invisible disabilities. Even visible disabilities are not always immediately obvious and I speak as one who is disabled. I am currently struggling to walk (osteoarthritis in both hips) and have fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis in my knees elbows and shoulders. If you looked at me whilst I'm sitting down,you wouldn't know there was anything wrong with me.

Boomer55 · 22/04/2026 16:39

Lazypeopleannoyme · 09/04/2026 13:28

I get really annoyed when I see perfectly fit people not working and then complaining that they are forced to go back to work.

I know if a woman that has lost custody of her 3 children. One was put into care with her parents because the father didn’t want to take care. The other 2 are living with their father.

She pays no maintenance for them because she isn’t working. Her benefits are being cut and all she does is complain to the fathers that she has no money and wants them to pay her living costs and her petrol to collect the children.

No, you’re not, but that’s the way of things now. 🤷‍♀️

ruethewhirl · 22/04/2026 16:36

Lazypeopleannoyme · 19/04/2026 20:02

I don’t think that. But when someone has a job and then decides to resign because they have worked out they will get more in benefits is wrong. It’s not UK so the system is a little different. But being a mother of pre primary children allows lots of benefits. Housing, heating, water etc. And I also find it sad that a person gives up on themselves and has no more dreams.

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Unfortunately the lousy pay and shitty conditions of many jobs in this country have a habit of crushing one’s dreams. As far as I’m concerned it’s bad employers who the finger of blame should be pointed at, if it’s actually easier for some people to live on the paltry amounts benefits pay than to work.

TeaBiscuitsNaptime · 19/04/2026 20:58

The thing is, that she is could in that position because her ability is below average to begin with, either physically or mentally. Very few mothers would let their child be taken away from them without doing something to try and prevent it. Especially if she allowed her allowances to be cut. Id say she felt unable to work for some reason. She has to be struggling. There are council houses near me, most of them are new build houses. From what I see, most of the people in them seem to have valid reasons for their position. And truth be told, a lot of long term unemployed don't look too healthy for it. Life has challenges for everyone I think

Original poster
Lazypeopleannoyme · 19/04/2026 20:50

ThatFairy · 19/04/2026 20:36

I would probably choose not to work. Having young children is a job in itself and it's madness to hand them over for a nursery to raise if I'm better off being at home with them

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Totally agree. But different countries have different rules. I worked my ass off as a single parent and sometimes regret it but my DC is now an adult and doing well in life.
i didn’t even look if there were benefits available and just worked and paid my bills even though it was tight.

OP posts:
ThatFairy · 19/04/2026 20:36

Lazypeopleannoyme · 19/04/2026 20:28

I’m not free to do the same because I have a mortgage. Different if you are renting and have young children. But if you are working for 1000€ a month and state give you €3000 not to work and you have maintenance for 2 children what would you choose?

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I would probably choose not to work. Having young children is a job in itself and it's madness to hand them over for a nursery to raise if I'm better off being at home with them

Original poster
Lazypeopleannoyme · 19/04/2026 20:28

ThatFairy · 19/04/2026 20:07

Is that true ? That you can get more on benefits than working ? In that case it seems the sensible thing to do. I don't know why you're annoyed though. If you think it's unfair to you you are free to do the same.

But the reality is you have to sign a claimant commitment saying you will look and apply for work every day and this is monitored. The only way round it is having an illness or condition

I’m not free to do the same because I have a mortgage. Different if you are renting and have young children. But if you are working for 1000€ a month and state give you €3000 not to work and you have maintenance for 2 children what would you choose?

OP posts:
ThatFairy · 19/04/2026 20:07

Is that true ? That you can get more on benefits than working ? In that case it seems the sensible thing to do. I don't know why you're annoyed though. If you think it's unfair to you you are free to do the same.

But the reality is you have to sign a claimant commitment saying you will look and apply for work every day and this is monitored. The only way round it is having an illness or condition

Original poster
Lazypeopleannoyme · 19/04/2026 20:02

ruethewhirl · 19/04/2026 19:54

Quite. I think some MNers seriously do think all a person has to do is stick out their hand and they'll get benefits.

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I don’t think that. But when someone has a job and then decides to resign because they have worked out they will get more in benefits is wrong. It’s not UK so the system is a little different. But being a mother of pre primary children allows lots of benefits. Housing, heating, water etc. And I also find it sad that a person gives up on themselves and has no more dreams.

OP posts:
RachelReevesFringe · 19/04/2026 19:55

Lazypeopleannoyme · 19/04/2026 19:52

And there are also lazy people that work with me that annoy me. Don’t do their work, expect others to pick it up for them.

That will annoy anyone. I have met my fair share of people like that too.

ruethewhirl · 19/04/2026 19:54

DotAndCarryOne2 · 09/04/2026 13:50

OP do you really think the DWP gives a free pass to everyone who wants to spend a life on benefits ? I’ve worked within the area of benefits and claimant support for over twenty years and I’ve only ever come across the attitude that fit people have the choice not to work on forums like this. The reality is that if there are no health problems involved, claimants are expected to engage with jobsearch, preparation for work and job application. There are sanctions involved where claimants don’t comply, up to and including loss of benefits. We all need a safety net when things go wrong.

Quite. I think some MNers seriously do think all a person has to do is stick out their hand and they'll get benefits.

Original poster
Lazypeopleannoyme · 19/04/2026 19:52

And there are also lazy people that work with me that annoy me. Don’t do their work, expect others to pick it up for them.

OP posts:
Original poster
Lazypeopleannoyme · 19/04/2026 19:51

usedtobeaylis · 18/04/2026 09:53

They always say it's easier to find a job if you have a job and I've been looking for a while now and it's near on impossible to even get an interview in my line of work - and I live and work in a city. In all my adult life I've never seen it as tough as this. All through my 20s I could pick up work at the drop of a hat, it's not like that any more.

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Same for me. I can’t find anything in my line of work plus my age.

OP posts:
usedtobeaylis · 18/04/2026 09:53

NotTerfNorCis · 11/04/2026 09:34

It's all very well to say that people who are fit to work should do so, but where are the jobs? The job market is hellish at the moment. I know plenty of people who were made redundant and would love to work, but just can't find anything. And some of them aren't being fussy about the kind of work they'd pick up.

They always say it's easier to find a job if you have a job and I've been looking for a while now and it's near on impossible to even get an interview in my line of work - and I live and work in a city. In all my adult life I've never seen it as tough as this. All through my 20s I could pick up work at the drop of a hat, it's not like that any more.

usedtobeaylis · 18/04/2026 09:51

Just mind your business and it will annoy you less.

Original poster
Lazypeopleannoyme · 18/04/2026 09:50

I gave one example. She gave up her job long before she had child 3 when she could have worked. She also chose not to work in the field she is qualified for and worked for less than she was worth. Opportunities were there for her.
I can’t imagine spending my days claiming I’m a digital creator on FB and posting videos bashing my children’s father. But I will stay out of her life now. I’ve tried.
I know many more. People working cash in hand but still claiming benefits. I am about to be made redundant and will take any job I can find.

OP posts:
ThatFairy · 11/04/2026 09:46

Lazypeopleannoyme · 09/04/2026 15:42

I’ve been a single mum and also have MH problems. I have always worked. That was to give my DC a better life.
This woman did not have MH problems before the third child but still gave up her job.
From what she has told me, she had PND with the third and problems with the father. She thinks both fathers should subsidise her now that she’s not getting benefits.

There are mental health problems, and there are mental health problems. Also apparently it's fine for women not to work if they have a good husband who takes care of them. There's no moral failing there. I don't think women should have to work. We are disadvantaged professionally by raising children and end up working in factories and shops when they get older.

Personally I'm really looking forward to working after some time out due to medical conditions but I think it should be a choice

NotTerfNorCis · 11/04/2026 09:34

It's all very well to say that people who are fit to work should do so, but where are the jobs? The job market is hellish at the moment. I know plenty of people who were made redundant and would love to work, but just can't find anything. And some of them aren't being fussy about the kind of work they'd pick up.

pointythings · 11/04/2026 09:23

ColinOfficeTrolley · 11/04/2026 06:30

So you have anecdotal evidence regarding 1 person you know, but you are annoyed at everyone who is fit to work but cba, because of this one woman?

Your thread should be called "Annoyed by 1 woman, with complex issues, who isn't working, because I am"

True, but that woldn't be a proper benefit bashing frother post and that would never do.

ColinOfficeTrolley · 11/04/2026 06:30

So you have anecdotal evidence regarding 1 person you know, but you are annoyed at everyone who is fit to work but cba, because of this one woman?

Your thread should be called "Annoyed by 1 woman, with complex issues, who isn't working, because I am"

rommymummy · 11/04/2026 06:13

You were annoyed she stopped working and went on benefits, now you’re annoyed she’s not working and not getting benefits. You’re obviously no friend to this woman is my first thought.

Mind your own business. You say you worked to give your children a better life. So enjoy your better life.

HotGazpacho · 10/04/2026 21:38

cricketnut77 · 09/04/2026 21:28

It appears many are doing just that.

How do people like this manage to breathe independently? 🙄

HPFA · 10/04/2026 13:51

cricketnut77 · 09/04/2026 21:19

Some of these replies on here make me sick.
People on benefits should start making the same tough decisions as those in work

Can’t afford kids - don’t have them

Can’t afford after school club - don’t send them

Can’t afford to go to attractions in the holidays - don't go

These are the choices ordinary working people on lower wages have to make every day

Those on UC should have to be the same

Why should they get free money and a plethora of discounts that whose working do not get

It is not fair

So what about the people who go on benefits after losing a job or becoming disabled?

Do you suggest they put their children up for sale?

HPFA · 10/04/2026 13:49

SanctiMoaniArse · 09/04/2026 20:31

Also, good luck to Reform trying to tell privately owned attractions/venues what they can and can't charge people. Surely it's fuck all to do with the government anyway? Free market and all that...

Yes, that occurred to me too.