I exploded at the Jobcentre, well almost, I didn't leave bits of flesh, bone and bloody debris all over the carpet, but I came close.
I started a 3 week job trial more than 3 weeks ago. Jobcentre staff said this would be the maximum period to try out a job before accepting it and still receive benefit. My employer usually runs a paid 4-6 week trial and was a little too delighted for my liking she wouldn't have to pay me.
I'm currently receiving Job Seeker's Allowance. I claimed Disability when I broke my ankle last year but was given Income Support because I was a lone parent. This is paid without having to 'sign on'.
Once my youngest child reached 12 I was transferred from Income Support to Job Seekers, required to sign on every 2 weeks and provide written evidence of job searches.
I have been actively looking for around 5 months and was eventually offered the trial at a local Dry Cleaners as an ironing operative.
I have a strong work ethic and found it degrading to be "on the dole". It was also soul destroying not to be called to interview for jobs I was more than capable of. I'm told so many are out of work these days I shouldn't feel that way but it's hard not to.
I'm an experienced secretary and have also worked in retail, customer service, picture framing and floristry. I've also taken jobs in caring for the elderly, housework and shopping. In short, I would rather work than be on benefit but I reached the end of my tether yesterday.
It was important to me to secure this ironing job as soon as possible, despite the fact I feel it's beneath me. I asked myself "who the hell do I think I am to think it's beneath me?" and for a while I was convinced it could work out as long as I was prepared to ignore a number of things.
The working conditions were practically Dickensian. The press I worked was squashed between two others, there was nowhere to take breaks, I had to sit by my press whilst my colleague blew steam in my face.
When the weather was fine I could go outside for my 20 minute lunch break, but there was barely enough time to pee and put the kettle on during the 5 minute morning and afternoon breaks. According to UK employment law, these are additional to the minimum required for an 8 hour day. 8 hours on your feet, ironing is harder than it sounds, but I always give 100%.
The room temperature varys from freezing to hot and steamy and back and is also cold and damp when the front and back doors are left open. I layered my clothes so I could take something off if I was too hot and put it back on when I could no longer tolerate the cold air current running through the place. I was uncomfortable but hoped I'd get used to it because I seemed to be the only one it was affecting
Once the weather got cold and I could no longer go outside for my lunch the day seemed longer than 8 hours. There's a tiny kitchen area provided, not even big enough to swing a kitten, and the toilet is immediately adjacent with a bi-fold door separating the two. The toilet constantly smells, not because it isn't regularly cleaned but there appears to be a problem with the plumbing.
The only perk for me was the endless supply of cool, fresh water from the dispenser.
My colleagues, although basically nice people, bored me to the point where I wanted to shoot myself in the head. I'm aware this and previous comments make me sound like a snob, and if that's the way people want to see it then that's fine, but I'm just being honest. I might not be an intellectual but my conversation does stretch beyond what I'm having for dinner and what's happening in Eastenders. There is only so much interest I can show in someone's eating and TV habits and they rarely talked about anything else, except to moan about the boss, which I found both enlightening and disheartening ... It seems she makes a lot of empty promises.
Despite all this, I was prepared to take the job on permanently to get off benefit.
Then I got sick a week and a half into my trial and my employer indicated it might be extended to 6 weeks. The Lone Parent Adviser at the Jobcentre confirmed this and I was mortified.
I took two days off to sleep off my illness and reported for work the following day. After a full day's work I coughed all the way home in the car, threw up and haven't been back to work for a week due to the flu and a chest infection which the Dr gave me antibiotics for.
Despite being ill, I dragged myself to the Jobcentre to sign on and to attend my 13 week interview where I was informed I would have to sign on every week now.
I was under the impression I needed to sign on yesterday and called in the morning to check. After a 20 minute wait it was apparent something wasn't right, they couldn't find my records and eventually sent me to see an advisor upstairs. She didn't know me from Eve so I went through my entire benefits history.
... continued below ...
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BionicCouple
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Oct 30 @ 3:38AM
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The confusion seemed to lie within the fact I am no longer considered a Lone Parent because my youngest child is 12 but was mysteriously called in to see the Lone Parent Advisor who gave me a run down of the benefits of the Work Trial and more importantly getting back to work. I had assumed at the time he might deal with people on a work trial but for some reason his colleague was mystified.
All I wanted was someone to call my employer to establish if the work trial was over despite the fact I'd been sick for half the trial. I couldn't get my point across to her and became upset and she said I was possibly claiming the wrong benefit. She implied I was depressed and unfit for work and "should consider returning to my Doctor and claim a different kind of benefit because J.S.A. was for those who were able to look for work".
This was when I exploded. I told her ...
"I've already found work, I'm on trial, I have the flu, I've seen a doctor, I'm on antibiotics and it's only been just over a week. I did a full day's work while I was sick. Unlike some I'm prepared to do this crappy job because I want to work, I need to work, I have children to support and I want to get off this benefit because we can't afford to live like this anymore. All I want to know is what's happening with the trial, is the employer going to extend it and will that affect my benefit? God, this is so degrading."
Though I was in tears, the female advisor sat icy and motionless, dishing out nonsensical answers like a computer. She insisted I call the employer to find out and when I told her this would make me look and feel desperate she said I had no choice. This didn't make sense, the Lone Parent Advisor had told me he would be happy to call the employer on my behalf. I didn't thank her or say goodbye and her parting words were "Okay, I will leave this with Roger (The Lone Parent Advisor) for Monday, the 30 day trial period is up so he will have to call the employer." Although I was tempted to strangle her, I walked away. This was all I needed to hear, why the hell hadn't she said that in the first place? It was like some kind of weird dream.
The Advisor I'd seen when I first arrived and signed on with called to me as I left, was concerned I was clearly upset and declared "I don't see why she couldn't have called the employer." She said I shouldn't have been there to sign on that day anyway, my weekly sign on starts next week and I should call my employer and tell her the Jobcentre say the trial period is over and can't be extended, can she call them?
It took an hour for two people to come to this simple conclusion. Why another member of staff had informed me and the employer it was possible to extend the trial when it wasn't I don't know.
As I drove home I realised I wouldn't have minded how long the job trial was as long as there had been clear communication between the employer, the jobcentre and me.
I then had an epiphany ...
My employer can shove her job up her arse, I deserve better. This is Essex for God's sake, not Bangkok!
Why would I want to work for someone whose prepared to milk the system to get several weeks work for free? She'd already declared to me and my colleagues how well I fitted in and the high standard of my work but decided to dangle the idea of it becoming a permanent arrangement like a carrot. Either that or she just didn't see my situation as a priority. Either way, I don't want to work for her.
P.S. I'm aware few will read this because most people don't want to read anything beyond a couple of paragraphs, but it still feels good to get this off my chest. 
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1frantastic
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Oct 30 @ 4:33AM
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YEAAAAAA Angel!
Perhaps this outburst gave you the bejitters to go ahead and get another job...there is one for you that is much better suited for you out there!
I DO understand for different reasons...but I have been over-educated...in the wrong field (Education...thus Teaching)...over-weight...over right-age....could write computer programs but did NOT know the latest tech "user friendly" programs.....
I quit my pre-school teaching job at a private school which did NOT pay health benefits (church school) because the other teachers were married and had their husband's benefits....I quit this $1000 a mo job to teach in public school for $2000 a mo ( which was what I was making 11 yrs prior)...but the principal didnt want to hire me for the 4 yr olds because our philosophy was opposite.....namely I taught my 4 and 5 yr olds to READ and he thought they only needed to be socialized and learn to get along with others and PLAY!!!  
I finally after 6 mo of no pay(I quit so didn't qualify for anything)and since it was Christmas...was finally called because Penny's needed a cashier IMMEDIATELY...desparately! So I went to work for a 24 yr old primadonna at minimum wage!
It was there I heard of the "Alternate Teacher Certification Program"...(even tho I already had my LIFETIME certificate)..it seems the state needed Special Ed ,Math,Science, and Spanish teachers.....so....I got another certificate in Special Ed!!!
I taught for 9 yrs....until I had a nervous breakdown from standing up for my kids and the principal didn't understand my PSTD and refused to renew my contract in Oct of the last yr I taught...even tho annual renewal wasn't due till March of the year....One of my students died because of his decision...and it threw me into a great depression....
Oh yeah...I needed 10 yrs to get full retirement benefits...and the SOB knew it!
My co-workers said..."We are so glad you are standing up to him.We can't...we have families." and...futhermore..the lawyer I had to file a grievance against him...called the day AFTER I resigned...saying,"Whatever you do...don't resign.You will waive all your rights by resigning!"
sooo...consider all the BS you are going through as a good sign...it is going to get better....
JUST HANG IN THERE!!! 
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Borty
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Oct 30 @ 5:50AM
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The whole thing sounds like bad timing. Being sick and starting a new job is an almost impossible situation...particularly when your required to be on your feet..when its hot one minute and cold the next. Don't be hard on yourself ...take a deep breath...if you can...and find something else at the job place. When the virus leaves your body you can start again at something.
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Blaiserboy
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Oct 30 @ 5:52AM
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I feel badly for you, I can relate to the frustration.
In years past I took applicants from a similar program, but the guy that sent them to me had carefully screened them and I was glad to hire them at the end of the period..
From what I recall though, they were paid albeit a lesser amount than when they came on to my payroll..
The job hunt is certainly difficult to deal with and certainly there are going to be employers that want to take advantage of people...
and dumb government clerks causing needless frustrations
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Heart2Heart453
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Oct 30 @ 7:41AM
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Under the best of cirumstances starting a new job can be very stressful, even a job you like. It does sound like you have job skills that might be better suited at a different position but I understand being williing to "take anything" just to be working. It sounds like the boss at the dry cleaners wasn't very ethical and I"ve learned to watch my back around that type.
Good luck and I hope you're feeling better quickly! (and have a for keeps job soon)
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Wing_Zero_75
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Oct 30 @ 9:33AM
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Not true, I read every blog I start from beginning to end. I really hope your doing ok. Your welfare system sounds like ours. The ones who sit there and make it a living are handed everything on a silver platter, those who need it for a little while are degraded and made to feel worse.
I had been hurt before I went to college and had lost my job on top of it. I went in to see if my ex and I could get foodstamps........ yeah, it took us about 2 weeks to decide to swallow our pride. We got there and were told that because we didnt have any kids or were married, we couldnt get help in anyway. We just needed help for a month or 2 until someone, anyone called us for an interview. We didnt want money, or the medicaid, just about $50 in food stamps a month. We would have barely scrapped by, but neither of us wanted to milk the system. I ended up borrowing about $100 to help us get by. A week after that we both ended up job hunting about an hour away and found employment at burger king. The work wasnt bad. It was hard and fast. We were pumping out sandwhiches at lightening pace and even when I had a severe allergic reaction to something I ate, I worked through the pain. In 3 months I missed 2 days of work. The first one was when I went to work and got sick, the 2nd day was when the van died. We ended up leaving when my ex was having a major panic attack because of what the manager did. She went into the back room and kicked the shit out of the stock of cups and other things. I think he may have tried to cop a feel or somethng along those lines, but didnt tell me because after the shit he put me through, I probably would have crippled him.
It may suck right now, but you can hold your head high. You are trying, thats more than I can say for most of the people I know.
Larry
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Jacksonboy
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Oct 30 @ 10:19AM
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Seems to me government employees are the same everywhere. Most are incompetent. Hell those are the only jobs they can get and they can't do them. 
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MrPaul
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Oct 30 @ 11:29AM
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CHARLIgurl1
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Oct 30 @ 12:17PM
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They are trained to be cold, they do get a lot of abuse, even tho you were not, thats why they are like they are.
I think you could be a little sensitive at the moment too.
I hope it all works out for you Angel.
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missliss78
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Oct 30 @ 12:26PM
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Oh Angel, I am so sorry you are going thru this on top of being sick!
I don't think there is anything I can add on top of what has already been said, but know that you are in my thoughts & that I care.
I hope it all gets straightened out for you soon!
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misschoos
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Oct 30 @ 4:29PM
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I read this with great interest, not because I wanted to see blood and gore or anything, but because it's well written and I have one of those appointments tomorrow.
My honest opininion is this:
The ratio to dependents on benefits at the moment, is so high that they exercising unreasonable force, so as to control and deter anyone, or stop them completely from claiming funds that have already been poorly spent or allocated by our Government.
The situation you were expected to work in, beggars belief, in that, if you were acceptable, why on earth should you have to work any longer for free? Not that I agree with free labour, but these employers should have to give a genuine reason if they do not take you on after say, one week.
I also think, that these work trials, should pay you the free labour as soon as you are accepted, so that it's not in vain, and gives everyone so much more incentive to continue.
here's a tiny kitchen area provided, not even big enough to swing a kitten, and the toilet is immediately adjacent with a bi-fold door separating the two. That is against building regulations!!!
There must be at least two doors between a toilet and kitchen.
I hope you don't lose your claim for discontinuation of the 'job,' but if you do, perhaps you can point out the above in you favour.
I have questions for them tomorrow, believe me! They are doing me no favours at all. And have you seen the way they sit around in that office? They don't know the first thing about careers, and they are the ones who are being paid top whack to do zilch to supposedly benefit others.
I would go on, I might even, later.
~*~
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misschoos
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Oct 30 @ 4:41PM
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I have another issue here.
Have you viewed your eerm 'thingy' form? It's a Government produced 'document,' dark grey, light grey and white in colour, and it will have your National Insurance number on it with a 'Claim file/cycle' reference too.
It's the one with no document reference number on it. 
Anyway, I think it's a Jobseeker's Agreement.
I just noticed that on mine, they have put even more control over me.
It states that I will not work for more than 40hrs per week.
It states that I will not work more than 8hrs a day.
It states that I will only work betweek 0500 - 1700 hrs on a Monday to Friday.
Now, I DID NOT supply them with that information. 
You probably haven't noticed yours!
It also states that I will look in a local paper for jobs on a Wednesday and Thursday. - I didn't specify that either....I do a hell of a lot more.
I am not looking forward to my appointment tomorrow, but your blog has given me food for thought.
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