To absolutely despise job centre staff?

[backacge]

I receive universal credit to top me up. I am a masters student in a vocational subject that will 100 percent result in a job, I work ten - twelve hours a week, sometimes more and am a single mum. I am trying my best. Over summer I work as often as I can also and make enough that the job centre aren't on my back as I'm earning enough.

Just received a notification that I must attend a work review on Thursday. Number 1 - I have uni that day. Number 2 - what more do they actually want me to do? I am in uni 3 days out the week then the other 2 I am studying. Saturday I work.

I am beyond frustrated. I always find the staff there to be rude and obnoxious and look down their nose at me, even though im probably more qualified than them.

Sounds weird I used to tell them I was on a placement and they left me alone. I had no requirements whatsoever. I'm not sure they know you are studying..

She’s also a mum that’s why she gets it I’ve never met one nice jc staff member when I was younger every one was patronising and spoke down to everyone

I’m not defending the op as JC staff mostly do their best within a perverse and Byzantine system, but I did want to challenge this. Just because your course, children, health, and other aspects of your personal situation allowed you to work FT whilst studying PT, please don’t make the mistake of assuming that anyone else could do the same if they only tried hard enough. Some Masters are very intensive, others don’t allow PT study, some universities make you sign something agreeing not to undertake paid work but to focus on your studies, some people’s health or their children’s needs means they can’t do both. It’s not fair to assume everyone is in your position. Sorry. Just had to comment as it hit a nerve - I tried to continue my studies after DD was born but had to stop as was too much (single parent, FT work, she had health issues and I developed my own after having her). It still hurts that I had to give that up.

They are doing their jobs and following the rules for UC applicants. You don't like the rules, don't claim UC.

Your attitude to these people sucks btw.

It should be up to you to support this. Why is it down to the tax payer? It's your choice to work 1 day a week and study.

It should be up to you to support this. Why is it down to the tax payer? It's your choice to work 1 day a week and study.

I agree.

It's horrifying how people are treated. Single parents used to be acknowledged as having a full-on job and were able to claim benefits until their children were 16, before Labour changed it.
The jobcentre should be supportive, helping someone to study while coping with the debilitating exhaustion of parenting. Instead they make it so terrifying and difficult that it has a serious impact on mental health and makes it incredibly difficult to cope at all, yet alone work or look after a child. Forcing people to live stigmatised and in fear makes them less able to function.

From personal experience, I believe those who interview you do not have a clue as to how their poor performance keeps people out of employment. Sheer incompetence and inability produce an accurate official record of my unemployment dates all but lost me a job, the knock on effect of which has stayed with me throughout my current role.

Lots of people just want others life to be as tough as possible with no way to improve things.

This.
If you don't want to deal with talking to them, give up the masters and work more hours.
No-one owes you anything and your attitude probably does you no favours.
I've been a tax payer for 25 years too. I doubt I'm a net contributor and I very much doubt you are either.

Yes. It's bizarre, the attitude of, "other people should be forced to suffer because I chose to." Such viciousness, spite and aggression

Net taxpayer after taking into account benefits usage of public services ect?

Yeah OP stay poor and work minimum wage. Don't expect any support or help. The government are too busy helping the rich who apparently need all the help they can get.

Even though I'm probably more qualified than them.

Eeh, you're a wag aren't you op 😂

You sound equally delightful 🤣 yes I'm a student, so that must mean I sleep until mid day and stay in my pjs.

Having a social safety net is not a favour and yes as a tax payers society does actually owe us support if for any reason we can’t work for a time.

Just get a full time job then and stop whinging.

What a stinking attitude you have, you are lucky that tax payers are supporting you and your child whilst you study.
If I had my way you wouldn't get a penny

It's not the rules though. I was specifically told I would have no more meetings whilst in full time education.

People here are horrible. I guess only the rich can afford to study, everyone else should be in the factory line not worrying about bettering themselves. I’m glad my tax goes to supporting single parents to study and find work they find meaningful, and I wish our benefit system was designed to take different circumstances into account. Sorry about all the horrible comments OP, I’m sure you do but please know that the vast majority of people don’t feel that way. I also don’t blame you for feeling a bit bitter if you’ve been treated poorly and judged by the job centre staff!

They are just doing their jobs and I suppose if someone has been doing that job and probably getting a lot of abuse from people they may come across more jaded and seem patronising especially if your not the first person of their day. You don't know what they have probably had to listen to.

But fundamentally that is their job they are just carrying out. They didn't create the laws, rules or processes.

You might find it irritating, frustrating, waste of time etc. however if you want UC those are the rules and processes you need to go through to have it. So basically suck it up.

I’ve found them pleasant enough to deal with. I have to attend every 3 months because I’m self employed, I just make sure I’ve got all my proof of earnings and expenses, my last appointment had to be rescheduled 3 times because a staff member was sick, my daughter was sick and I had to work but it was never a problem. I’ve actually found them quite helpful. I think a lot of the ones who have a problem with them are either trying to fiddle the system/think they should just be handed money no questions asked/don’t want to work. Not everyone but a good few. I appreciate that mistakes are sometimes made though.

Translate?

I don't make the rules, but the opportunity was there, why would I not take it? Why would I stay in a job that I was not happy in if I could get one I love, help people and earn more? It would be silly of me not to take the opportunity due to not wanting to take from tax payers. I have been a tax payer all my days, and I am happy to help anyone when and if I can and that includes paying higher taxes to help others like myself or less fortunate that haven't had the opportunities that I've had.

Not true. It is based on your earnings, not the hours.