To think I can't afford principles when I need a job

[Cookiesagain]

Well really i already know I can't be fussy with job applications just now. But just wondering what it's like to do a job you don't feel good about.

Its a civil service job so not criminal or anything like that. But it's with DWP and I know I will not feel good doing it.

I couldn't do it.

Unless you are going to be destitute you'd have to be an absolute twat to work for the DWP.

It's not an inherently vile job. Depending what you do, you'd likely be making sure people get what they're entitled to. You can always carry 9n job hunting.

I agree with you. If you need a job you take what's available. You can keep looking for something you prefer.

I’ve had the exact same thoughts as you and decided there are plenty other places to go!

I'm really not sure.

Very few jobs that i can apply for. Its the dread of being totally dependent on Universal Credit that has me sat at midnight doing applications. I am I receipt of UC alongside my income at moment and it's been beyond stressful. In a few months I could be entirely dependent.

But is it still a shit thing to do.

Birds - what do you do that makes you the arbiter. I assume something so socially useful no criticism can be levelled.

OP - it is a job and if you bring a moral compass to it all the better.

I can understand your misgivings. You can take the job and try to deal fairly and compassionately and helpfully and not hand out sanctions willy nilly.

A friend of my mum’s did it for a bit. Said there is a lot of pressure behind the scenes.

So if you’d be doing it to avoid stress/fear, it might end up being “out of the frying pan into the fire”.

The civil service doesn't make the rules. That would be the politicians. Honestly, most civil servants have normal punters' best interests at heart. There are far, far worse jobs from a moral perspective cosmetic (not plastic) surgeon; arms dealer/ investor; anything petrochemical; hedge fund manager whose sole job is to make money out of money, I could go on

It's the DWP, not an abbatoir FFS, do you not think oyf you go in and act with integrity you might even be able to help and support people through a very tricky process

MrsStrowmean how much leeway do you think people at the DWP get to “act with integrity”?

Yes I imagine it's very stressful. But i think unemployed and being given on the other side is so much worse.

Lineofbeauty i was civil service for many years and often justified work on the basis of democracy etc. I know you are right. I implemented policies i didn't agree with - but i was removed from the actual impact. And none as bad as the current benefits system, but you are right. That's what I'm thinking.

Well, if nothing going else, it will be good practice re application process.

Tbf I couldn't be a debt collector or work in an abattoir.

Dwp aren't inherently bad though its just they are carrying out some questionable policies at the moment.

Jobs i could never do:
work for a company that cold calls elderly and vulnerable people

work for a company I know uses cheap or child labour from poorer nations

work for a gambling company

work for a payday loans company

work for a bank which has questionable investments

work in a tanning salon

build weapons/cigarettes

@Cookiesagain not quite the same thing but I got put forward for a role in the Exiting the EU office. As a remainer and lots of friends in that camp, I simply couldn’t bear to do it. Role was ideal, company/dept was not. So I sympathise.

I am told however that civil service are extremely good at looking after people they like, however, so if that is your experience from your previous time in CS I would recommend applying/going for it/taking it if the job is right for you, and you may be able to transfer somewhere else soon?

@Nubbin

"OP - it is a job and if you bring a moral compass to it all the better."

Think Nubbin has hit the nail on the head there. Genuine claimants are often vulnerable people who will appreciate being treated with compassion and empathy. If your conscience is strong enough to ponder on the morality of doing such a job, you might be a real asset to the DWP. Dealing with the people trying to cheat the system could be pretty difficult though, but hopefully you would get the training needed to handle those.

It's a very important function which helps people in need. The vile part is dealing with people who think they are entitled to more than what is allocated for them.

I worked in a call center for an online brokerage firm. Management were pretty awful but most of us just ignored them and worked together to make sure customers were taken care of. An old lady had $40 a month taken out of her account. We applied credits to account, credit card and bank account. It felt great to actually help someone. Another time a college kid doing a semester abroad called from Ireland. His card had been stollen. The hotel wouldn't let him stay without a valid card. We were able to get his mother on the phone and get her to cover his hotel plus we sent a replacement card to his mother overnight so she could send it to him in Ireland.

You could actually change somebody's life if you are in a customer facing role.

In between lifelong mental health issues and depression I often found myself at the job centre. The workers that were actually interested in me and my skills rather than - yawn, sign here - got me out doing voluntary work, back to work courses designed with single parents in mind, interview practice and confidence building...

I'm in a job that I love now, have been there 19 months, I plan on being there a lot longer. I'm not daft and I have good qualifications, but signing on every 2 weeks with nothing more than a sneer does kick you when you are down. It was the couple of front line workers that recognised both my potential and my limits that helped me back in to work. I'm eternally grateful to them.

I think you could be one of those people.

I was offered a job with the Daily Mail a few years ago, but did not feel I could take it without dying of shame every time someone asked me what I do.
However I had other options, so it was easy to be all righteous.
If it came down to it I would flip burgers in a fast food joint to bring in the money.

It might be a hard job to handle emotionally, but I think it is very honorable work. You can be a person trying to make the system work. If you are public facing, you can at least be a kind voice even if you are delivering disappointing news.

My hope is that there has been so much shit press that they might try get it a bit better. (Hopeful/naive). I'm assuming that's why they are recruiting. I've been hoping the big pile of money headed to Citizens Advice might generate local jobs but none yet!

cheesemongery I agree, it really makes a difference to be treated with respect.

I do a job i get to feel good about right now (charity sector) but actually I always think it's a luxury to have the rewarding feelings of "doing good". Most people are just doing their best regardless of what they are employed at.

Bloody hell Debs. I can't believe you had to do that!

Debs sorry that didn't sound nice. Absolutely you do what you've got to do.

That's really not on. No judgement of you at all. What a position to put you in. I'm cross on your behalf.