To think people on JSA should be not be able to refuse a job because they don't like the uniform?

[TabithaStephens]

Long term unemployed man turns down job because of baker's hat.

Will he be sanctioned for this? Seems crazy to me. I know some will point out that it's not representative of the majority of unemployed people etc but it is still a very disturbing story.

As regards this, personally I don't think having to wear a baker's hat is all that demeaning... when it comes to food hygiene, ever level on the shop floor would have to wear the same.

BUT... I do think there's a culture of disrespect amongst the lower paid workers, and an attitude that because you haven't got a job you should accept anything even if it demeans you.

I would find it more demeaning to rely on job seekers allowance for 7 years to be honest.

People on benefits get abuse because of people like this. I refuse to accept that in 7 years of full time job hunting he couldn't find a job, any job doing anything.

I've done some crap jobs in my time to make ends meetd during a tough couple of years. At no point whilst dreaming my dream job did it include cleaning pub urinals. Or weighing out 1/2 of pigs liver.

Beggars can't be choosers though.

Or so I thought. Hnmmm.

I don't care.

yes he can be sanctioned, I have been sanctioned because I did not not want to go to a telesales interview 130mins from my house. I cant do telesales, I am rubbish at selling things, and im not going to the interview, really I have worked for most of my life I have two kids I know what I can do.

Oh and as to the hat I think there is more to this story

Two points- firstly, it is extremely unusual for someone to be out of work for that length of time without good reason. It is too simplistic to say it is because he is lazy. There are likely numerous other barriers to employment, such as mental health issues, low self esteem, literacy and numeracy issues etc.

Secondly, it is in the torygraph. Hardly a barometer of balanced reporting on benefit claimants.

there are fewer jobs than unemployed people. If he was forced to take this job there would still be the same number of unemployed people entitled to claim benefits.

I don't see the point in forcing someone who does not want a job, for whatever reason, whilst there are others who would be glad of it remain unemployed.

Sanctioning is a quite disgusting practice.