To think universal credit shouldn't have sanctioned me for this?

[ucunfair]

I've been on universal credit for around 6 weeks whilst job hunting, and around 3 weeks in I received a job offer which I accepted. I still had to attend the job centre each week until my start date which was annoying but fair enough as it's their policy.

I was due to have an appointment yesterday, but woke up to an email from my future employer saying that my work equipment was being delivered to my house that day - a day earlier than I expected as I thought it was coming today. It needed to be signed for by me (rather than a neighbour) so I let UC know as soon as I knew first thing in the morning, and asked if I could reschedule the appointment. They didn't respond until the time of my appointment and said that it would be marked as failed to attend and I would be sanctioned.

I know waiting in for a delivery isn't a particularly good reason to miss an appointment, but as I'm starting on Monday I didn't want to miss the delivery and worry about getting it sent out again in time, especially as I'm away this weekend.

AIBU?

I think waiting for delivery for equipment for a new job I fair enough! Is there an appeal process?

If they sanction you, you can challenge that. The JCP don't sanction you though. If they think you should be sanctioned, they refer it to a decision maker who decides. Hopefully they'll see sense. Did you make it clear in your message to the work coach that you were waiting in for a delivery of new equipment for the job you are starting on Monday? I would make it clear that not being in for the delivery could have put your new job in jeopardy as you'd have been unable to start on the Monday (don't talk about rearranging the delivery, just say that your new employer decided on the delivery date which changed at the last minute). If you haven't made any of that clear, I'd put it all in a journal message now as the DM should see that.

Unbelievable! There is no sense whatsoever with UC at times.

Make sure you attach a copy of the email you received, including the date/time.

Did you tell UC that you had to wait in for an essential equipment delivery from your new employer that could only be signed for by you, or did you just say you were waiting in "for a delivery"? If the second, I guess that's why they've sanctioned you. I wouldn't worry though, I assume you have proof of the work delivery and the date and I'm sure there's no way they will sanction you when they have the full facts. I think you just need to escalate / challenge any sanction with the evidence, and a senior decision maker will reverse. There's no way they can sanction you for taking essential, time critical action to secure your new employment, absolutely no way.

Did you tell them it was a delivery for the work equipment? Definitely appeal that and if they stick with their decision then email your MP.

You’ve found employment, which is what you’re meant to do. Missing that delivery would mess up your start date, and surely the whole point of these meetings it to get you back into work. So why attend one when it will jeopardise your start date!! Idiots.