[Kate!]

Originally Posted by Pyramid*

For the love of god Kate, I have not implied you are a sponger - can't you stick to the topic... It is one that you wanted to discuss.

you blatantly have.

[Vanessa]

Originally Posted by *Kate*

you blatantly have.

No one understands what it's like to be out of work until it happens to them. I lost my job last year and had to claim benefits. I was so depressed. Getting my job back has really helped my confidence.

[Pyramid*]

Originally Posted by Vanessa

No one understands what it's like to be out of work until it happens to them. I lost my job last year and had to claim benefits. I was so depressed. Getting my job back has really helped my confidence.

Good that you've got on your feet again Vanessa, nice positive note there.

[Vanessa]

Originally Posted by Pyramid*

Good that you've got on your feet again Vanessa, nice positive note there.

Yes. I love my job. And i get help towards my rent. Sometimes the government does help the poor guy!

[Pyramid*]

Originally Posted by Vicky.

Heh, you only just realising this?

lol... I've had that opinion for quite some time now.... but I failed to realise just HOW MUCH of an ass it was.!!

Originally Posted by Vanessa

Yes. I love my job. And i get help towards my rent. Sometimes the government does help the poor guy!

That's why the benefits system is there Vanessa: to help in times of need and it's heartwarming that you found work - and even better, that you are enjoying the job. Win win all round - long may it continue for you.

Just don't start building new bedrooms.....well not yet... !

[Kate!]

Originally Posted by Vanessa

No one understands what it's like to be out of work until it happens to them. I lost my job last year and had to claim benefits. I was so depressed. Getting my job back has really helped my confidence.

I'm glad you got back on your feet Vanessa

Yes, it's pretty bleak tbh, I mistakenly and overconfidently thought that I would walk into another job very quickly, I have loads of experience to offer, backed up by the relevant qualifications in my field, which is office work. However, what I found was that for every job I went for there were over 100 applicants, and in the majority of cases I didn't even get an interview.

I lowered my sights and considered working in other fields, eg retail, but they all want you to be experienced in that particular field, even though I was more than capable of doing the jobs, again I wasn't getting interviews. It was and is very demoralising.

I know the only answer is to keep trying and eventually surely something will break for me, it might just be a case of being in the right place at the right time.

With regard to the thread topic, this is why I feel so strongly that this bedroom tax is so unfair, it will only add to the stresses of life for someone such as myself who wants desperately to be back in work, even part time would do, not just for the wage but also for self esteem and feeling like you're doing your bit, and its such a struggle to manage on the money Jobseekers get, God knows how we'll all cope losing a sizeable chunk weekly to offset this tax. It really does beat people down.

[Mystic Mock]

Originally Posted by *Kate*

I'm glad you got back on your feet Vanessa

Yes, it's pretty bleak tbh, I mistakenly and overconfidently thought that I would walk into another job very quickly, I have loads of experience to offer, backed up by the relevant qualifications in my field, which is office work. However, what I found was that for every job I went for there were over 100 applicants, and in the majority of cases I didn't even get an interview.

I lowered my sights and considered working in other fields, eg retail, but they all want you to be experienced in that particular field, even though I was more than capable of doing the jobs, again I wasn't getting interviews. It was and is very demoralising.

I know the only answer is to keep trying and eventually surely something will break for me, it might just be a case of being in the right place at the right time.

With regard to the thread topic, this is why I feel so strongly that this bedroom tax is so unfair, it will only add to the stresses of life for someone such as myself who wants desperately to be back in work, even part time would do, not just for the wage but also for self esteem and feeling like you're doing your bit, and its such a struggle to manage on the money Jobseekers get, God knows how we'll all cope losing a sizeable chunk weekly to offset this tax. It really does beat people down.

Do you sign on? I think that helps im not up on it all though.

[Vicky.]

Originally Posted by The Mockinator

Do you sign on? I think that helps im not up on it all though.

Everyone on jobseekers 'signs on'

But it doesnt help with looking for a job tbh. The advisors arent the most helpful of people and 9 times out of 10 the jobs they get you to apply for arent even suitable for you. For example when I was about 19, they forced me to apply for a keyholder job at a jewelry shop. The job required 2 years previous keyholder experience (I had no experience), retail experience(none) and a crb check (I have a record for fraud ) so clearly I wouldnt get the job. But they made me waste my time, and the employers time anyway. Its ridiculous tbh.

Aside from that you are forced to go on WEEK LONG courses to do a CV. I was made to do 9-5 everyday monday to friday. I had my CV before i even went to the damn course. And I had a new CV finished within 15 mins of entering the course too. Yet still had to sit there 9-5 every damn day that week doing absolutely nothing. So basically they used up time I could have spent looking for work...doing nothing but sit in a room so they could claim that I was not out of work that week(when on the jobcentre courses you are classed as 'in training', its how they fiddle with the unemployment figures )

[Vanessa]

Originally Posted by *Kate*

I'm glad you got back on your feet Vanessa

Yes, it's pretty bleak tbh, I mistakenly and overconfidently thought that I would walk into another job very quickly, I have loads of experience to offer, backed up by the relevant qualifications in my field, which is office work. However, what I found was that for every job I went for there were over 100 applicants, and in the majority of cases I didn't even get an interview.

I lowered my sights and considered working in other fields, eg retail, but they all want you to be experienced in that particular field, even though I was more than capable of doing the jobs, again I wasn't getting interviews. It was and is very demoralising.

I know the only answer is to keep trying and eventually surely something will break for me, it might just be a case of being in the right place at the right time.

With regard to the thread topic, this is why I feel so strongly that this bedroom tax is so unfair, it will only add to the stresses of life for someone such as myself who wants desperately to be back in work, even part time would do, not just for the wage but also for self esteem and feeling like you're doing your bit, and its such a struggle to manage on the money Jobseekers get, God knows how we'll all cope losing a sizeable chunk weekly to offset this tax. It really does beat people down.

You could try agencies. They usually get you working straightaway. I feel like the working class is always the one who is worse off The more we work the more taxes we have to pay. Now we have to pay for an extra bedroom. What's next i wonder?

[Pyramid*]

Originally Posted by Vanessa

You could try agencies. They usually get you working straightaway. I feel like the working class is always the one who is worse off The more we work the more taxes we have to pay. Now we have to pay for an extra bedroom. What's next i wonder?

That's been my experience too Vanessa - agencies always seemed to offer far more than the job centre side of things.

Watched a documentary the other week - and interestingly: very good jobs that were available working in the DWP (and over quite some period of time) - somehow managed not to be advertised on their own websites that the jobseekers had access to in the job centre.

[Vicky.]

Originally Posted by Pyramid*

That's been my experience too Vanessa - agencies always seemed to offer far more than the job centre side of things.

Watched a documentary the other week - and interestingly: very good jobs that were available working in the DWP (and over quite some period of time) - somehow managed not to be advertised on their own websites that the jobseekers had access to in the job centre.

Thats probably because jobseekers are pretty much forced to apply for every job, even ones they arent qualified for and have no chance at all of getting(thus wasting their own time AND more importantly the employers time)...and the jobcentre in question couldnt be arsed with recieving and sifting through 500+ useless application forms (including ones from people who are not fit for work in any manner currently, yet ATOS has deemed them fit against the requests of qualified health professionals) and maybe 1 or 2 that were suitable for the post. But they expect other employers to do this

[Pyramid*]

Originally Posted by Vicky.

Thats probably because jobseekers are pretty much forced to apply for every job, even ones they arent qualified for and have no chance at all of getting(thus wasting their own time AND more importantly the employers time)...and the jobcentre in question couldnt be arsed with recieving and sifting through 500+ useless application forms (including ones from people who are not fit for work in any manner currently, yet ATOS has deemed them fit against the requests of qualified health professionals) and maybe 1 or 2 that were suitable for the post. But they expect other employers to do this

It was unreal: the 'heid honchie' was brought into the interview to explain... she couldn't... was admanant they were being advertised. Disappeared for ages, came back about 90mins later with the Press Officer - showed the interviewer 'supposed proof'.... and he pointed out that her proof was not the jobs in question. Shocking stuff.

The same programme showed how well (I use the term very loosely) the DWP staff actually checked on the jobs applied for etc... one guy completed his record card with his shopping list....... (quite deliberately & for the programme - to prove his point that his local DWP were completely ineffective) - and not an eyelid was bat - signed on for another 2 wks. !!

Deary me.

Originally Posted by Vanessa

I think it's worth a try. You may find a better job in agencies. They're always looking for experienced people.

Yep, certainly up in this neck of the woods that's the case, they are great for placing people - in fact - all staff I've recruited over the years have come via agencies - and when I'd had the need, I've used them myself.... my last two jobs have come through agencies acting for the Companies recruiting, rather than the job centre.

However... we digress.

[Vanessa]

Originally Posted by Pyramid*

That's been my experience too Vanessa - agencies always seemed to offer far more than the job centre side of things.

Watched a documentary the other week - and interestingly: very good jobs that were available working in the DWP (and over quite some period of time) - somehow managed not to be advertised on their own websites that the jobseekers had access to in the job centre.

I think it's worth a try. You may find a better job in agencies. They're always looking for experienced people.

[Pyramid*]

I'm shocked at this - or perhaps I'm misunderstanding.

Are we saying here that by Law, anyone over the age of 18 is not expected to stay with their parents if the parents? that does not sound right.... ??

Have I misunderstood?

My sister's just turned 18 and is expected to find her own housing, and I am too