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Original poster

I've made a complaint about my Work Coach

243 replies

BobISMyUncle · 26/08/2022 23:09

and now I've been sanctioned. I couldn't attend an appointment due to lack of petrol and a lack of funds to get there. I receive my Universal Credit on the 10th of each month, and my appointment was made (by them) for the 8th. I receive the princely sum of £324 per month. I wrote on my Journal that I could not make this appointment due to lack of money to buy petrol. I received a reply (it was heavy sighing, even in the Journal entry, if that makes sense!) and stated that she would "ring me on this occasion". This appointment is a 23 mile round trip and costs about £5.00
During my phone call, I was told that "you need to manage your money better". Sadly, I'm one of those people who think of brilliant retorts about ten minutes after I need them! Nonetheless, I was still quite surprised at her remark but didn't get the chance to answer as she was determined to move the conversation on. These meetings are mandatory. They must be attended otherwise sanctions will be applied.
Hey Presto! I'm sanctioned. I don't know by how much because the website is down (conveniently?) I can't appeal against the decision because the website is down. I can't do anything. If I call, it's a call centre and nothing is achieved, they appear to be message takers. I would like to talk with someone who has a little empathy. AND! YE GODS! I've missed another appointment! More sanctions coming my way! This, from a Civil Servant. I wonder, how much do I have to live on next month? My work coach suggested that I do care work. I wonder if it's because she will be needing it from her other clients? I am not rubbing my hands in glee because I'm far too busy making room for her in the patio and well tended gardens of my sheltered housing accommodation. LOL! This is funny, but serious. Advice please x

Not Impressed of East Anglia.

OP posts:
RunningSME · 26/08/2022 23:11

It’s not funny but if you didn’t laugh you’d cry

Phoenix76 · 26/08/2022 23:17

You could be a writer op, I rather like your style could bring in a few extra bob 😉 I don't have experience of this but I think all to often these sanctions are totally unfair, I get that they need to make a point, stick to the rules etc but no-one seems to have the capacity to apply commen sense, really hope you get something sorted.

Phoenix76 · 26/08/2022 23:19

Oh my days, I on the other hand could not be a writer with my spelling (not checking predictive text 🙄) and my grammar has failed me too, been a long week!

EscapeRoomToTheSun · 26/08/2022 23:21

Is it possible to get a bus there? I think you can claim the cost of a bus ticket back.

BabyDreamers · 26/08/2022 23:58

EscapeRoomToTheSun · 26/08/2022 23:21

Is it possible to get a bus there? I think you can claim the cost of a bus ticket back.

Good idea. You used to be able to claim back travel costs hopefully it is still the same.

PeachPRC · 27/08/2022 00:06

Get the bus and give them your ticket for reimbursement

FatEaredFuck · 27/08/2022 00:14

Your sanction will continue until you attend the appointment youve missed.

Did you miss the appointment and you got a call the following day? Your sanction may be limited to a day or so if that's the case. If not you need to leave a message on your journal or call on tues to get an appointment asap.

You can try and overturn it but in meantime limit the length of time the sanction is

oviraptor21 · 27/08/2022 00:22

How many appointments have you missed and why?
The systems hasn't been consistently down. Have you been logging in every day?

OhPissOffPlease · 27/08/2022 00:39

I was sanctioned for "not showing up" when I was three mins late, I was in the building ten mins early but had a call from my step mum, I ignored the first one but she kept trying and on the tenth call and I knew something must be very wrong, I had five mins to wait still so answered planning ti tel her I'll ring her back in about 15 mins and found out my dad had suddenly dropped dead, I was in the building but didn't go to the desk when called because I was in shock and panicking and distressed and people had heard and seen and heard me, she didn't have anyone else at her desk when I walked over literally three mins late and I was explained I was literally stood over there being told my dad was dead but my work coach didn't give a shit and said "you would be surprised how many people use a dead parent as an excuse and can turn on some tears".

This was over ten years ago now and I'll add that other staff tried to help me and one even tried to back up the fact that I was there on time and has seen me take that call but she said it didn't matter, I wasn't at her desk when she called and the way she works is zero tolerance for lateness, her colleague walked me out and asked if he could pay for a taxi to get me home or call anyone for me so I wasn't on my own and he let me sit in a room while I waited for my brother to come get me and we could go to the hospital.

I should have complained about her but worrying about money, planning a funeral and my own health issue and the worry she'd just sanction me again put me off.

Slartibartfast42 · 27/08/2022 00:41

They don't pay for bus tickets!

Sanctions are fucking awful. My adult son had to sign on to jobseekers/universal credit when he lost his job at the start of covid. He was sanctioned for not attending one of his appointments. He had sent a journal message asking if he could have a phone appointment because he had been exposed to covid and didn't want to risk going out and on public transport to get to the job centre but the work coach said that wasn't a good enough reason and sanctioned him, zero money for six weeks. He tried to apply for a hardship payment and the work coach refused that too.

girlfriend44 · 27/08/2022 00:54

Sanctions are a punishment for being poor.

RainbowToucan · 27/08/2022 01:04

They need to start reimbursing travel and parking costs.

It would make a lot of sense to offer the appointments online anyway. I don’t understand why they want to take half a day off of someone’s time when they’re supposed to be using that time to actually look for a job rather than wasting it slogging it all the way there and back again.

AlexClo · 27/08/2022 01:19

Where abouts are you OP? Where I am in SE England Most sectors are so desperate for staff they will take on almost anyone that interviews now. Even just doing some work from home call centre work is better than putting up with the crap from the jobsworth work coaches and journal entries ect + much better pay too

ImNotGreta · 27/08/2022 01:22

Twenty-three mile round trip is easily able to be done on a bike, is there really no-one nearby who could have lent you one?

mynamesnotMa · 27/08/2022 01:26

OhPissOffPlease I'm so sorry what an utter bitch

PomBearWithoutHerOFRS · 27/08/2022 01:28

You MUST phone and make another appointment. To be fair, the people on the phone line (the main "central" one, not the individual job centre), are usually helpful and know their stuff. Explain it to them, and get the new appointment sorted then for the love of all you hold dear, do not miss it. Arrive early! Beg, borrow, or hike to get there or they will apply further sanctions.
If there are jobs in your area (sounds like carers are in short supply) they will do anything to force you to take one. You can just bite the bullet and become a carer, or just apply for them all and fluff the interviews, as long as you do the write up of applied/progress/result thing in your journal for every single one.
The work coach is there to make your life he'll until you get a job, it's what they do. The government view is that the unemployed are all works by layabout parasites, and should be treated accordingly. It is fucking soul destroying 😓(oh and going to the doctor and getting a sick note doesn't stop them, you still have to attend unless you're literally bedridden, and even then, you still have to engage with the work coach)

Guttedme · 27/08/2022 02:41

I'm sick of seeing some old one should just work in the care industry.
Makes me blood boil.
In 2012 I had to declare every job since leaving school in 1998 and was only lucky in 2012 I had held down an unrelated role for 5 consistant years prior to this which ultimately helped me get a less paying domicilary care assistant role which was nowhere near where I lived at the time and was misery financial wise after leaving a full time hospitality role.
I have no idea how the care industry bigwigs would fudge it now, knowing in the last 10 years I've worked for employers illiterate or dead who could not provide the reference. Really makes me angry that something thinks it is sooo easy to work in the care industry not proving where you have been before.

Aprilx · 27/08/2022 02:47

I think it is pretty clear that you have to go to the meetings, I don’t know what there is to complain about in view of that, as opposed to perhaps general feedback if you think meetings should not be compulsory.

Incidentally, I was recently in receipt of JSA for a couple of months. I had to go to a centre that was across the county, only 17 miles but there is no connecting public transport. If I didn’t have a car, I would I think need to go into the nearest major city about 30 miles away and out again. I would have no idea how to get there on a bus, I don’t see a lot of buses here and I would imagine it would take numerous ones and many hours. DH and I have always said it was ridiculous expecting somebody to make this journey and couldn’t understand why there was not somewhere nearer / more accessible.

ThirtyThreeTrees · 27/08/2022 02:54

@OhPissOffPlease, wow that is cold as ice.

I hope you don't work eith her anymore. Nothing can excuse or justify her comments. She's an absolute weapon.

Krabapple · 27/08/2022 04:53

ImNotGreta · 27/08/2022 01:22

Twenty-three mile round trip is easily able to be done on a bike, is there really no-one nearby who could have lent you one?

No it’s not! I’m reasonably fit but really struggle with cycling and I live in a very hilly area. I also only know 1 person who owns a (a very expensive bike). Even if they did lend it me they live about 12 miles away so how would I get it? Why not keep ridiculous comments to yourself?

Krabapple · 27/08/2022 04:56

OP please complain to your MP. It won’t help in the short term but will mean it gets investigated properly.

Mummyoflittledragon · 27/08/2022 05:36

ImNotGreta · 27/08/2022 01:22

Twenty-three mile round trip is easily able to be done on a bike, is there really no-one nearby who could have lent you one?

Op is in sheltered accommodation. It’s highly unlikely she is fit and able to cycle any distance at all. And 23 miles is not a trifling distance. Most would balk at that and many, many people are disabled. Myself included.

Mummyoflittledragon · 27/08/2022 05:43

This reply has been withdrawn

This message has been withdrawn at the poster's request

StridTheKiller · 27/08/2022 05:49

Contact your MP and dare i say it, the Dakly Mail. I'm so sorry OP. This country is run by cunts and the opposition are cunts.

AreWeNearlyThereYet84 · 27/08/2022 06:02

ImNotGreta · 27/08/2022 01:22

Twenty-three mile round trip is easily able to be done on a bike, is there really no-one nearby who could have lent you one?

You are talking out of your arse.

What if OP has never cycled before? A 23 mile round trip would not be easy.

Some people on here come out with some utter rubbish.