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.

How old is your youngest child? The rules are you work a minimum number of hours depending on their age. I'm a single mum too and I work 22.5 hours a week. My youngest is 4 so because I work more than 16 hours, UC leave me alone and have never asked me to attend an appointment. When he turns 5 they may well get in touch to say I should be working 25 hours which is fair enough tbh. Those are the rules. When you sign up to UC you are asked to agree to commitments such as these. Tbh it's no different to being employed and agreeing to work a certain number of hours for your salary. I believe the DWP see studying as a luxury which is why they're not altogether supportive. I realise it sucks if you're in a position where you will get a job straight after qualifying, but the DWP can't make arbitrary choices about what degree subjects they see as more worthy.

I agree too.

Should have said the rules for a parent with a 3/4 year old is to work 16 hours or earn the equivalent of 16 hours at NMW

I know many who are in full time work and are doing masters. You want the state to fund your lifestyle and then you have a bizarre attitude. So what if youve been a tax payer for 25 years. It doesn't mean we should now fund you? Why couldnt you work FT and study? Might take you longer but you made tis decision yourself and now are upset at people just doing their jobs

You are not being unreasonable and I don't understand the people who say you are. You are doing a course to make a better life for yourself and your child. Which is what supposedly what the Government wants. The least the Government can do is support you while you are doing that.
Unfortunately the system is punitive and starts with the assumption that everyone is out to get something for nothing. We seem to to be living in a cruel world rather than a caring supportive one. It isn't the fault of the staff who presumably have targets they have to meet. but the least they can do is be polite.

OP, am confused, why don’t you ask for your appointment to be rescheduled to a different day. I know that’s what I have done when they’ve told to me attend something that clashes with something I can’t move.

Because where's the drama in that?

I imagine the OP clutched her heart and typed "to absolutely despise job centre staff", with her other hand 😂

Despise the system, not the staff. Despise the lack of student funding.

Fyi I work in a jobcenter in Denmark and what you're doing wouldn't be allowed here. I'd count your blessings.

Please take the time to read the full thread or at the very least, filter my replies. There is no option to take this course part time. It is a 2.5 year masters and includes Monday - Friday 9 - 5 placements starting in January.

I agree with this, OP. But I'd despise the system and not the people forced to work in it.

Wow just wow. You chose to do the masters and attend uni instead of working

That's lots of 'mays'. Meanwhile the job centre staff are tax-payers and working and contributing to the system, many will have done 25 years or more.
Having a number of degrees does not mean you're more intelligent than those without, just that you know a designated amount about one thing. Rather like job centre staff knowing a lot about how people get, or don't get, UC.

I agree they treat you like criminals there. We have bouncers at the doors of ours who are also unpleasant.

I'd ask for this thread to be deleted @backacge it's not going well, and it won't get any better.

You’ve made the choice to claim uc you have to play by the rules.

as ex job centre staff I really resent your post. The assumption that you’re better than me or my ex colleagues is wrong. You have no idea how hard they work whilst having to implement policies from this nasty nasty government.

Because that would be too easy.

because the OP will presumably repay the UC she has received in taxes manifold once she qualifies.

Same as any student - we have a very odd attitude towards education in this country and don't appear to see the general benefits of having a well educated population.

And no, the OP will not be able to rearrange the appointment, she has to go when they say. I signed on for a month when I was inbetween jobs (this was about a decade ago) and was told I had to go for a check in at the precise time of 14.57. When I said that was around school drop off time clearly I would not have childcare unless and until I was not in a job) they shrugged their shoulders.

Years ago the people who worked in JCs were sensible and used common sense, but as a pp said they probably aren't allowed to now. If you don't like it OP lobby for change and vote accordingly at the next election.

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

Have you spoken to them?

I’m really surprised you have to attend meetings if you are studying full time.

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.

Very short-sighted. If this leads to her getting a better paid job, she will be paying more tax back into the system than she was previously and be performing a professional role in society. I think that can only be a good thing. Not everyone can afford to fund their own degrees.

I've spent years working with JC staff. They vary - as do staff in any work setting.

Well have you told them you have uni that day and asked them to rearrange?

Or are you just complaining because they sent you an appointment without consulting you first?

They won't have the resources to consult every single person to fit them into the diary, and most people who go there are unemployed and can fit in at most times.

Just ring them up and ask to rearrange. Yes JCP are rubbish in a lot of ways, and for many reasons (which often aren't actually the staff fault at all, but a faulty system) - but honestly you are making a mountain out of a molehill here.

That does not apply in this case. The OP has chosen this course. It's not like she is ill and can't work.

I am so grateful to the JC lady who got me a place on a computer course after I had been out of the work place for 12 years. That course got me back into work in the NHS for a further 18 years. I will be forever grateful to her because I really wasn't going to get any help from the NHS to get back in. They have to work within the rules and it must be a difficult job.

I guess no-one in a job centre is doing their dream job, but there is no excuse for people being rude when they are in a customer facing role. If you are pretty much guaranteed a job further down the line,then you only have to endure this for a short while so just grit your teeth.

So stopping full time work for Uni was a choice? (Not having a go just curious)

We are lucky to be able to make the choice to study and be funded by the tax system. I feel sorry for the job centre staff if they are being treated with contempt for simply trying to ensure funds go to the correct claimant.