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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To take a month or two off before I take this new job

50 replies

brilliantbrunette · 05/03/2022 12:02

So I lost my job a few weeks ago (company folded) I have a friend who has his own company and has said if I want a job (admin type job) that he would love to have me.

I'm thinking I might accept but ask to start in two months? He said to think about it etc so seemed in no rush.

Now my issue is, as I have worked for so long I am entitled to claim jobseekers benefit here (€208 per week) I'm thinking I might just relax and claim it for a few months and enjoy some time off. But I feel bad doing that.
Dh works full time and in a fairly high management position so I could be home a bit more to do more with dc.
Aibu to hold out?or should I take this new job sooner?

OP posts:
Aprilx · 05/03/2022 15:03

[quote brilliantbrunette]@BridgesofMadisonfan I meet the conditions under which it is given...[/quote]
It was you that said you would feel bad claiming benefits … as if it is compulsory!

Elaine2468 · 05/03/2022 15:12

She "claimed back" 23k? That's for the nine months you mentioned? How does that work?
Where on earth do you live OP? Honestly, why isn't everyone there skiving?

Original poster
brilliantbrunette · 05/03/2022 15:19

@Aprilx I didn't say I felt bad claiming I then stated what I meant was I felt bad telling my friend I'll take the job but hold off for a few months
@Elaine2468 she claimed 23k back from the help to buy scheme. Nothing to do with the unemployment benefits. It's a help to buy scheme we have here whereby you can claim a certain percentage of your contributions that you have made over the 4years previous in order to put towards a house deposit here.

OP posts:
sittingonacornflake · 05/03/2022 15:25

I 110% would do this.

Original poster
brilliantbrunette · 05/03/2022 15:29

@sittingonacornflake thank you. I have made the phone call to my friend. I'm delighted (as is he) I will start the job the end of April. This suits him completely.

OP posts:
StrictlyAFemaleFemale · 05/03/2022 15:33

I work at a jobcenter in Denmark. If you can document your coming job you can be excused from job seeking, courses etc up to 6 weeks before your start date. In your position I would check if that was an option. Otherwise you risk full time activation depending on what benefit youre on.

sittingonacornflake · 05/03/2022 15:45

@brilliantbrunette fantastic! Enjoy your time off and congratulations on your new position!

latetothefisting · 05/03/2022 15:45

@Overthebow

Take a month or two off if you want to but don't claim job seekers, you aren't seeking a job.
I was on JSA before - was offered a job in november but they didn't need me to start until January. Should I have just starved and not paid any rent for 6 weeks because I wasn't technically looking for a job anymore, just waiting to start one? OP has explained she's getting that amount because of her country's equivalent to contributions-based JSA, so basically just getting out what she's put in.
jessy100 · 05/03/2022 15:51

Are you in Ireland OP? Rules.for claiming benefits are completely different to here! You've paid in. It's your money. I'd take the time off and enjoy!

TakingTheLowRoad · 05/03/2022 15:51

I’m pretty sure the OP in in ROI. You can sponge quite effectively off the state with little to no consequences. Nothing like being a job seeker or getting UC in the UK!

Original poster
brilliantbrunette · 05/03/2022 16:01

@TakingTheLowRoad I'm not sponging though really...that's a bit extreme
@jessy100 yes in ROI

OP posts:
TooManyPJs · 05/03/2022 16:12

Don't feel bad. Take the time off. If you are entitled claim the benefit. If they didn't want people in your shoes to claim it there would be rules to prevent it.

EinsteinaGogo · 05/03/2022 16:20

OP,

Jobseekers Benefit is there to cover you when you are LOOKING for work but can't find it.

You may be eligible based on contributions made by you when you were employed, but It's not 'owed' to you / available to be reclaimed from money you've put in.

It's a safety net in place for people who need it.

You choosing to have a two month break before you start your new job might not get picked up within the rules, but it's not ethically right, in my opinion.

EinsteinaGogo · 05/03/2022 16:22

To be honest, OP, I wish I hadn't responded to your thread now.

I can't believe you've put it up for good reason, it's obviously goady. I'm sorry I got drawn in.

I'm Dragon's Den style - I'm out!

Original poster
brilliantbrunette · 05/03/2022 16:25

@EinsteinaGogo I can't see how it's goady I was asking about taking the few months off...I spelled it out about the jobseekers benefit so it wasn't a drip feed as such (but it actually did end up that way)

Sorry you feel that way.

OP posts:
fungh · 05/03/2022 16:27

However I’m a bit shocked that you think it’s ok for other people to go to work and pay tax to fund your few weeks off. f you can afford to be off and not claim go for it.

Are you shocked by people who pay use tradesman cash in hand, or those who circumnavigate inheritance tax or capital gains, or dispose of assets to avoid paying for care?

OP if you're entitled you're entitled.

EinsteinaGogo · 05/03/2022 16:31

[quote brilliantbrunette]@EinsteinaGogo I can't see how it's goady I was asking about taking the few months off...I spelled it out about the jobseekers benefit so it wasn't a drip feed as such (but it actually did end up that way)

Sorry you feel that way. [/quote]

To qualify, you have to be genuinely seeking and available for work.

You're not seeking work.
You're not planning to be available to work.

Therefore you shouldn't be claiming.

I'm sure no one will check up and you'll be fine though.

Just don't pretend to yourself that it's ethical.

EinsteinaGogo · 05/03/2022 16:34

I mean - it says it right here.

To take a month or two off before I take this new job
BurbageBrook · 05/03/2022 16:34

I think you would be unreasonable to do this, yes. I'm sure the new employer would take a dim view. You

Original poster
brilliantbrunette · 05/03/2022 16:34

@EinsteinaGogo when I put in my claim I met every single requirement...4 days later I was offered the job.

OP posts:
Original poster
brilliantbrunette · 05/03/2022 16:35

@BurbageBrook they have already said I can start the end of April

OP posts:
EinsteinaGogo · 05/03/2022 16:37

[quote brilliantbrunette]@EinsteinaGogo when I put in my claim I met every single requirement...4 days later I was offered the job. [/quote]
And now you've got a job.
You're not seeking work any more.

You've chosen do delay your start date.

You're gaming the system. Honestly, I don't care what you do but be honest to yourself.

Poptart4 · 05/03/2022 16:40

If you an afford it, do it.

A couple of months claiming jobseekers out of a life time of working doesn't make you a bad person.

It's not like you never going to work again.

I honestly believe most people would take a couple months off work if they could and the people yelling you not to are just jealous.

Poptart4 · 05/03/2022 16:41

@Poptart4

If you an afford it, do it.

A couple of months claiming jobseekers out of a life time of working doesn't make you a bad person.

It's not like you never going to work again.

I honestly believe most people would take a couple months off work if they could and the people yelling you not to are just jealous.

*can *your *telling

Bloody typos 🙈

BridgesofMadisonfan · 05/03/2022 19:01

[quote brilliantbrunette]@BridgesofMadisonfan I meet the conditions under which it is given...[/quote]
That's not what I said.

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