AIBU to feel annoyed by fit people refusing to work?

[Lazypeopleannoyme]

I get really annoyed when I see perfectly fit people not working and then complaining that they are forced to go back to work.

I know if a woman that has lost custody of her 3 children. One was put into care with her parents because the father didn’t want to take care. The other 2 are living with their father.

She pays no maintenance for them because she isn’t working. Her benefits are being cut and all she does is complain to the fathers that she has no money and wants them to pay her living costs and her petrol to collect the children.

There are people who “work the system” but the vast majority of those on out of work benefits have “issues” at least, often hidden, and most have been let down by the system earlier in their lives, the education system, the care system and their own families

To those who say there aren’t people avoiding work, you are being naive, of course there are, to those implying it’s common, I think it’s far harder unless you have the right disability paperwork that says you can’t work - much harder to get these days

The whole premise of AIBU is judging people and it seems to be the most popular MN category.

UC is not an "out of work benefit" though. About 1/3 of UC claimants are in work (myself included). It might blow some people's minds to hear that I choose to work, despite having a disabled child and no work requirements on my claim, because I enjoy my job and want to set a good example to my DC. I also fully expect my DC to do well at school and hopefully go on to university, which sadly I didn't manage to do myself due to complicated reasons. I do everything I can to support them in their education. And, as part of that, I want them to have access to cultural capital and experiences that will broaden their horizons and support their education, even though we are not well off. So yeah, we make use of some of the discounted days out - though not to the zoo as I have an ethical objection to zoos - but eg the Cutty Sark and some of the museums that offer a discount.

Are there no prisons? Are there no workhouses?

Please leave this woman alone she needs true friends around her she's obviously seriously struggling and you seem oblivious.

That's really interesting and helpful to know, thanks

They have been offered more hours and declined. Still think that's wrong, if subsidised by tax payers

Not sure why you're framing this one specific situation as a widespread thing to be annoyed with 'people' about? If you want to stir up outrage about a widespread problem of 'people' fit to work refusing to do so, then you'd be more compelling if you provided stats on the numbers of people this applies to, with evidence.
If you want people to criticise this particular woman, then you should phrase it as 'AIBU that a woman I know asks her children's fathers for money and claims benefits even though in my opinion she should get a job?'. You could then explain your medical qualifications so we would know your judgement was reliable.

Yes, that occurred to me too.

So what about the people who go on benefits after losing a job or becoming disabled?

Do you suggest they put their children up for sale?

How do people like this manage to breathe independently? 🙄

You were annoyed she stopped working and went on benefits, now you’re annoyed she’s not working and not getting benefits. You’re obviously no friend to this woman is my first thought.

Mind your own business. You say you worked to give your children a better life. So enjoy your better life.

So you have anecdotal evidence regarding 1 person you know, but you are annoyed at everyone who is fit to work but cba, because of this one woman?

Your thread should be called "Annoyed by 1 woman, with complex issues, who isn't working, because I am"

True, but that woldn't be a proper benefit bashing frother post and that would never do.

It's all very well to say that people who are fit to work should do so, but where are the jobs? The job market is hellish at the moment. I know plenty of people who were made redundant and would love to work, but just can't find anything. And some of them aren't being fussy about the kind of work they'd pick up.

There are mental health problems, and there are mental health problems. Also apparently it's fine for women not to work if they have a good husband who takes care of them. There's no moral failing there. I don't think women should have to work. We are disadvantaged professionally by raising children and end up working in factories and shops when they get older.

Personally I'm really looking forward to working after some time out due to medical conditions but I think it should be a choice

I gave one example. She gave up her job long before she had child 3 when she could have worked. She also chose not to work in the field she is qualified for and worked for less than she was worth. Opportunities were there for her.
I can’t imagine spending my days claiming I’m a digital creator on FB and posting videos bashing my children’s father. But I will stay out of her life now. I’ve tried.
I know many more. People working cash in hand but still claiming benefits. I am about to be made redundant and will take any job I can find.

Just mind your business and it will annoy you less.

They always say it's easier to find a job if you have a job and I've been looking for a while now and it's near on impossible to even get an interview in my line of work - and I live and work in a city. In all my adult life I've never seen it as tough as this. All through my 20s I could pick up work at the drop of a hat, it's not like that any more.

Same for me. I can’t find anything in my line of work plus my age.

And there are also lazy people that work with me that annoy me. Don’t do their work, expect others to pick it up for them.

Quite. I think some MNers seriously do think all a person has to do is stick out their hand and they'll get benefits.

That will annoy anyone. I have met my fair share of people like that too.

I don’t think that. But when someone has a job and then decides to resign because they have worked out they will get more in benefits is wrong. It’s not UK so the system is a little different. But being a mother of pre primary children allows lots of benefits. Housing, heating, water etc. And I also find it sad that a person gives up on themselves and has no more dreams.

Is that true ? That you can get more on benefits than working ? In that case it seems the sensible thing to do. I don't know why you're annoyed though. If you think it's unfair to you you are free to do the same.

But the reality is you have to sign a claimant commitment saying you will look and apply for work every day and this is monitored. The only way round it is having an illness or condition