Stupid UC changes

[daimbarsatemydogsbone]

So now you have 4 weeks to get a job you could actually do - then you just have to apply for anything/everything.

Every time we have a thread on here about recruitment, the HR wonks pop up and complain about all the "dross" applications from people not qualified for their wonderful opportunities - how will this help?

Rather than punishing people for lack of suitable vacancies it is time the goverment tried to help employers to offer more and better jobs.

That was in the days before you were sanctioned for leaving a job and you could just sign straight back on
When was this? When I had to sign on in 1990 you wouldn't get any dole for at least 6 weeks if you quit or were fired.

Hmmm.

If I’m being honest I don’t see any reason for somebody on UC to turn down a job they are capable of doing. I mean, why wouldn’t they take it? Unless I’m missing something?

If you have 10y experience in decent job and want find similar job all your time and resources will be in looking for that job. After 28 days being told that you need spent 20hours a week also applying for
Jobs at any level/area as well as they ones you are skilled in. How does that help?

Granted at some point in time that has to change but previous rules were by 6 months when most people who were going get new job would have. It’s only ever a small number who stay on benefits longer than this most people bounce in and out quickly. But 4 weeks is short time to waste everyone’s time having to Show you are applying for anything. Or worse getting a job after expense of advertising, time Taken to interview and train you, a uniform going through payroll and then leave after 2 weeks. What a right pain in ass for employers who all lie and say yes I really want this job blah blah and constant repeat.

The government has completely wasted money buying in provision that is neither useful or fit for purpose. They have taken work away from WCs to outside agencies that are expensive and yes privatised it’s an abomination. Most people want to work a few don’t or can’t whatever put resources into them not onto people who will get a job. These ministers and managers making the rules are idiots complete self serving idiots with an eye on the prize of promotion it’s really sad for the claimants

@CaMePlaitPas

It's so lazy and dull to say "there's loads of jobs round at the moment". People need to earn living wages, people need security, people need flexibility. These things aren't achieved because you might have seen that Gregg's were hiring on the way to work this morning.

Of course it's the government's job to ensure quality jobs for it's citizens. Jesus, what low expectations you have if you believe otherwise. We've been so let down by this absolute sham of a government that we've become glutton for punishment. Still, as long as Boris has got some nice wallpaper up I guess that's the main thing.

I think it is the government's job to ensure there are opportunities available for people to train for decent jobs. You can't expect companies to take on unsuitable people.

Plus if you have family and get low wage job you still be getting UC top up pay your rent and bills. But no outrage there about “draining the system”. Companies don’t pay a living wage and society is fine with that. Only one benefit claimed is seen as bad the other is fine as working

The statutory working conditions are abysmal in this country. In my role a lot of people, are on minimum wage, have the minimum days annual leave; have no sick pay outside of ssp, have to make up time for doctors appointments or other appointments. I cannot understand why this is ok. Why does the government have one rule for its own workers and another for the law?!
I think once the government actually force employers to take on staff knowing they are able to treat them like human beings it's fair enough people don't want to work in any given scenario.

My company makes more than enough profit but drives everyone who works for them very hard. Then after being exhausted if you dare get sick you either try to get annual leave so you're paid or you're on ssp after so many days absence. Ridiculous and I don't like the way things are and I actually think benefits make sense if the government cba to improve these situation, even though I've never personally claimed any benefits.

@draramallama

People with morals don't support social security "sanctions" deliberately impoverishing and punishing people for facing difficulties.

This means people could be "sanctioned" before they even receive their first payment. It traps people in a cycle of crap unstable jobs instead of being able to improve their circumstances.

This policy was announced today as part of a continuing strategy of redirecting people's anger towards those at the bottom rung of society rather than the immoral criminals in government.

It's abhorrent and immoral and does absolutely nothing to help anyone.

Well put draramallama!

Some work coaches I work with get universal credit the people who are dealing with your claim get universal credit it’s not great pay freezes more pressure every day to get the work shy into work it’s bullshit. I speak up time and time again I don’t need the money after June but no one else speaks up our contracts are temporary they don’t have a clue what’s happening with us the claimants are getting stressed we’re stressed it’s shit. I was so proud of what I used to do real help for real people now I’m bloody ashamed

I never had people failing to attend on my case load I never sanctioned anyone fuck that shit making peoples lives worse fuck off I had messages over and over about people who were grateful for what I did for them now it’s awful

@Cheekypeach

Hmmm.

If I’m being honest I don’t see any reason for somebody on UC to turn down a job they are capable of doing. I mean, why wouldn’t they take it? Unless I’m missing something?

Because the hours are no good if they have children. Because they have no experience in it. Because they're over qualified and employers know they'll leave quickly. Because they're single parents with no one at home for the kids if it's out of school hours (do you know how much childcare costs?) Because it's too far to travel and wages would be eaten up by transport. Because it's a zero hour contract and they're only offering you a few hours a week.

I could go on but that's just off the top of my head.

Graphista
You are so, so right. THIS is why we should be getting rid of Boris and Co - as well as, of course, because of their entitled and cynical partying. But that's just a symbol of how they regard ordinary people. Carrie Antoinette, indeed.

It is also shocking that companies that make big profits for owners/shareholders abuse the system and rely on workers - proper workers, doing hard and dead boring jobs - to get government welfare top-ups to survive.

PLEASE send copies of what you have written to your MP/MSP and PLEASE Mumsnet promise to print those replies. Because all this affects women and mothers more than any other sector of the community. They are not 'workshy' ffs; they are all too often having to cope with children alone. Or else having to manage in other very difficult circumstances because their DP/DH has some equally exploititative employment.

Mumsnet - I'm going to report this post so that you take note of it. Give the govt maybe three months, and then publish what the situation is. Use the best, least biased, source of information you can find. I'm not making party political points. But, when it comes to the current government's actions, I most crtainly do speak as I find.

I'm also sick of the rigmarole it takes to escalate a complaint! You can't even speak to a supervisor at time of calling now it's "someone will call you back in 24-48 hours" except they don't!

I work in welfare rights and we are a recognised "partner" organisation with the JCPs. In theory, this means that when we raise an issue on behalf of a client, it gets handled correctly.

It's now 24 weeks since I escalated a matter on behalf of a client. After 12 weeks, he got a phone call asking him if he wanted to submit any additional evidence (despite me having told them he wouldn't be submitting any, because the matter spoke for itself and the regulations were perfectly clear).

I've now escalated the escalation, because they still haven't made a decision, responded, or given the information requested in all this time. There has been no contact, absolutely fuck all has been done in almost 6 fucking months.

If that's how they treat "valued partners", the average claimant stands no chance.

I agree. A job is a job. No it might not be your ideal job but it's still paying the bills!

There is no appetite for change the status quo suits the agenda of the ministers and managers whose only aspirations are promotion I could not believe it had I not seen it with my eyes. Lazy feckless work shy themselves it’s a morally bankrupt system I’ve tried to whistle blow no one cares

Yanbu. I wouldn't usually feel sorry for HR but they are going to have to deal with a lot of crap for this.

It'll be horrific if unsuitable people get pushed into caring roles. Many people can't even manage customer facing roles without being crap. Let alone care homes.

I thought this had always been the case? I enquired about jobseekers a few years ago when DD was in nursery but ended up cancelling the appointment when they told me I would be forced to take any minimum wage job offered, which clearly wouldn't have covered the cost of nursery.

@Kshhuxnxk

I agree. A job is a job. No it might not be your ideal job but it's still paying the bills!

And award for most time deaf comment goes to..

As an aside, I grew up in another country and in my teen part time fast food job I used to get handed application forms and CVs from people who clearly had no interest in working at my workplace and were box-ticking for benefits appointments.

Kshhuxnxk But what if you have other responsibilities.? What if the job - like so many advocated by the government - is zero hours so you can't tell ho much - if anything - you will be earning in a week? What if the job demands that you're available 24/7? What if it means that you can't plan/ can't afford eldercare or childcare ? What if all public transport in your area does not fit in with work house. Where I live we have ONE bus per day. What if you have disabilities - mobility problems or hearing prblems for example - but are really bright and capable, but all the jobs offered to you are - for example - being a waitress (because that is the sort of job in most demand....)

Can I most respectfully suggest that you - and this government - engage your brain before making comments.

One other point. Zero hours contracts (or other limited hours arrangements) simply DON'T DO THAT. People employed on such grossly exploitative terms can't tell from week to week what their income will be. So how precisely would you budget in those circumstances?

BLASTED autocorrect!!
Ho = how
House = hours
prblems = problems

One thing is certain if people did not have the access to benefits they would take wherever they find. It is like this in most countries. Also, this does not mean you stay in this job for ever. For someone who started from nothing this is unacceptable. Sometimes not rushing into having kids help as well. I know so many people who have come from other countries and made it work here with far less education available and experience.

@Parsley1234

The government has completely wasted money buying in provision that is neither useful or fit for purpose. They have taken work away from WCs to outside agencies that are expensive and yes privatised it’s an abomination. Most people want to work a few don’t or can’t whatever put resources into them not onto people who will get a job. These ministers and managers making the rules are idiots complete self serving idiots with an eye on the prize of promotion it’s really sad for the claimants

are you talking about things like The Shaw Trust?

I have not got a clue whats going on I have not set foot in the job centre since the start of the pandemic but they did sign me upto The Shaw Trust who were meant to act as the job centre work coach. frankly I was emailing them my job search every week but I might have been emailing the void for all I know, I hardly heard anything from them and I kept getting text messages to expect calls from them at x time so I would sit and wait for calls that never happened.

I am on UC, and stuff like this scares me to death. I am in the LCWRA group, so they leave me alone. But if I am to be assessed, and drop down a group, or even found out right fit for work at some point.... I am not sure how I would cope with the pressure.
Under UC, there is no gradual drop down through the groups. No help to prepare or find work... just go out and job seek for 35 hours a week.

You're right, sanctions don't work.

However. There are a lot of jobs available. There are also multiple schemes in place to support people back into work. Too old for Kickstart? Why not go into an apprenticeship which you can do at any age.

There are digital boot camps, vocational boot camps, SWAPS (Sector Based Work Academy)
In various areas, job clubs with companies like Seetec who support people into work and can fund travel, childcare and even clothes for interviews.

Multiple organisations offering free CV coaching, interview coaching, confidence courses and introductory vocational and free courses up to Level 3.

So yes I agree, work coaches are a waste of time and all they care about is hitting targets (huge generalisation as I know great ones also) but if you look, there has been a lot of money, time and care ploughed into schemes to help people back into work and overcome the barriers that are stopping them.