Would you commute 4 hours for 2 Half Days work paying £16 per hour or stay on Benefits?

[ChesterDraws17]

I'm finding it hard to get another job. this current one is six or eight hours a week. The work is admin. I'd be better off on benefits though? I get pip for my disabilities which means if I signed on to job seekers, I would get more than I earn. The travel leaves me exhausted and makes my pain worse. I hate hate hate the idea of going near a job centre though.

How can that be right? I'm really frustrated and miserable. Wish I didn't exist. All I do is panic because I'm here using up resources, needing food and a place to live and so much medical attention, and can't seem to pay my own way.

Why do you hate the thought of going near a jobcentre?

It's easier to find a new job if you already have one. And that one might be miles better.

I had to attend the Job Centre, after I took voluntary redundancy. I had been working for 27 years (ever since school), and had no idea what to expect! It's absolutely fine though. Everyone was lovely. What you are doing is commendable, but it's not sensible and it's not working for you. Sign on and find something more suitable, closer to home.

I would work if I could. I don't really understand how anyone is better off on benefits than working? I have put my own circumstances through a few times and it always comes out that I would be much better off in work.

Also if you are on PIP, I assume you would be on ESA not jobseekers..either way if you are 'sick' I don't think you actually have to go to the jobcentre. Will have to face a horrendous 'medical' that cures you of everything though despite everything still being there...

I'm finding it hard to get another job. this current one is six or eight hours a week.

I think you can actually sign on and do the job if its only 6-8 hours per week. Would be 'permitted work' surely...you can earn up to 100 quid or so if you are disabled

Does the job have any opportunities for promotion, or being a stepping stone to something better? It's generally easier to find a job when you are in one already.

Not really room for promotion. It was sold to me as there would be room for more hours but that's not happening and I can't even always count on 8.

It's draining to travel for 2 hours then only be given 2 hours work and have 2 hours travel home.

I can't get any of job seekers as I am working. If I was not working at all, because of my disability I would get something like £140 per week instead of the standard £75 or whatever it is. At the moment my average is around £100.

I need to try a bit harder? I'm interested - what have I said that indicates I'm not trying to the best of my ability?

I did indeed finish school. I have a degree. I also have a complex health profile of chronic illness.

I'm sick of the assumptions that everyone on benefits is a deadbeat loser.

Paid in for 20 years. Never taken a penny; lucky enough never to have needed to. Not everyone's in the same boat and that's what it's there for.

I would just apply for work closer to home, there must be lots of stuff closer than 2 hours
It takes me 2 hours to travel from my house in South Wales to my sisters house in Plymouth!! There's hell of a lot in between!

I travel an hour each way to a barely above minimum wage job for 2 hours a day, however it is a second job and I've not got any disabilities, in your situation it wouldn't seem worth it, especially if you are in pain.

I would look to see if you can sign on (I'm pretty sure you can with that few hours) so you would be better off and try and stick it out while you search for something closer, it is a lot easier to find work when you already have a job and signing on would mean you could look at slightly lower paid work closer to home, i'm guessing you are paying quite a lot on travel at the moment too, so slightly lower pay would probably equal out.

What is someone your age doing in a low wage occupation?. Did you finish school?

Did you not know people could be in low wage jobs living ? Or are they just the Jeremy Kyle types in your narrow mind?

If you're in this role now and leave voluntarily would you even qualify for jsa?

Missing the point but what sort of admin work pays £16 an hour?

Since when was £16 an hour a low wage, anyway, Living?

I'm applying all over. I'm in a city. I think that obviously there's the advantage of there being more opportunities in a city but then it's still a numbers game and there's more people applying for everything.

Until about two weeks ago I was still hopeful this one would have room to get more hours. Sadly not.

Admin with specialist knowledge that I do have some experience in.

You need to try a bit harder to get a better job. What is someone your age doing in a low wage occupation?. Did you finish school?

You need to try a bit harder to think before you type! £16 an hour isn't even a low wage and OP had already said about disabilities!

I wouldnt do it. If your disability makes your pain worse and makes you exhausted, you'll find it much harder to get a job you can live on/with.

living have you actually read the OP's posts? Maybe you didn't finish school since your reasoning and reading skills are sadly lacking. That's in addition to you having no heart or empathy either.

£16/hour is great, and will look good when you apply for more hours in a more convenient location. I get that it's awful, but if you see it as a step to something/somewhere else, it's worth it don't you think? I do two three hour mornings a week, it's 30mins each way, and I'm paid £10/hour. It would be more cost effective to do longer hours, but I'm learning loads and will apply for other jobs later.

Do you have the option to work from home with this job? Can you speak to your manager and see if you can work 1 day a week as opposed to 2 hours here and there, especially with your travel.
If the job is impacting on your health either sign on or job hunt closer to home. I tend to find I get a job quicker when I'm employed compared to when I'm employed.