To suspect that staff at benefit offices undergo special training to learn how to treat people like sh*t??

[Aimsmum]

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Of course you're not being unreasonable.

Even if you were misinformed, a normal person would have told you what you DO need to do, not rudely dismissed you like that (and found out if she didn't know - it's her bloody workplace whose stamp you need after all).

I would have asked to speak to a manager and dropped the rude cow right in it. I have very limited experience of BO's (and only through friends) but my 1st impression was that many staff appear to look down upon the people they're supposed to be helping.

How did you leave it ?

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oooh if that had been me with PMT I woud have been such a bitch, can i speak to your manager? monkey organ grinder etc etc. Good that you're a better person, I'm sure not everybody who works in BO is a stuck up cow but those that are have no right to look down their noses, bit like some doctors receptionists!

YANBU at all, I am convinced that they go to a special training school that teaches them how to be unhelpful, patronising and look at you like you're a piece of shit.

They NEVER help - they are meant to but they just don't... they have training in how to be arseholes (I have 5 yrs experience as per the OP - I know what I'm talking about!)

Can't you just ring the SLC (student loan co) and tell them the problems - see if they will wait for the paperwork to come through from the BO?

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Hi

I work at the bo in a frontline role as the woman you seen and she should NEVER have treated you that way.
you do have a right to ask to speak to her manager or there is a form called 'tell us what you think '.You can complete one of these nd put down in writing exactly the way you were treated and they DO get looked by the customer service manager and will get a response to your complaint.
this will also go to this ladys line manager and it will make you feel better as no one deserves to be treated like that

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the bank statement thing is a great relief isn't it - I did that last year - much better than hanging out at the benefits offfice for an age - and then when you go up and explain you need them to stamp it so you can honestly declare income - and don't want anything from them other than a bit of ink - they look at you like you're crazy and then read the form in great detail - just to make sure you aren't scamming them. I know they do a very hard job - but with an attitude like that to face - I would hate to be asking them for help

Just wanted to second what Millmoo said. YANBU. i'm a manager within Jobcentre Plus and would be furious if any of my staff behaved like that. You have the right to make a formal complaint. i'd strongly suggest putting something in writing to the District Manager. They'll put a rocket under the office manager. Written customer compaints are taken very seriously as the offices have customer service targets to meet.

Crikey.. what a cow. No they aren't all like that.

In fact, to the contrary of your title, as I understand it, they have to undergo training to cope with all the very many people who treat them like shit.