Can't Afford To Work?

[san070160]

My Partner has just interviewed a young man for a full-time job. It's not much over the minimum wage, but he seemed very keen and was offered the position. However, he has sinced made enquiries regarding his Benefits, and has worked out that if he takes the job, he will actually be worse off, as he'll lose most of his Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit. He lives in Rented Acommodation with his wife and two children, and he really wants to return to work after a period of illness. But he literally can't afford to! How mad is that?

[ummmm]

Maybe the minimum wage should be raised.

[andy-hughes]

It happens constantly.

My youngest daughter is a nursery nurse, and it would pay her more to stay at home on her benefits than to work at all.

Leaving aside the immorality of trusting the nation's future to young women earning minimum wages, it is perfectly common for youg people to find that anything more than sixttreen hours work a week is unecconomical for them.

The government's approach to work in this area is a neglected scandal.

BTW - my daughter has my undying respect and financial support for choosing the work option - but not everyone has parents who can help - and why should they? It is wrong on so many levels.

[overthetop]

It's mad that he should turn down a job which he wants. Stop his benefits, he'd soon take it.

[sandyRoe]

If he was forced to take the job he's lose his home.

[overthetop]

If I hadn't worked at anything I could get I would have lost my home.

[albaqwerty]

Some folk have been made redundant, and the world of benefits is new to them.
A minimum wage doesn't mean a living wage.

[ummmm]

Exactly Alba. He could have been made redundant from a reasonably paid job. In the current climate those jobs are not available.

[tonyav]

The gov seriously need to look at this, it's ridiculous imo.

[sara3]

are you his wife? or am I a tad confused?

[sara3]

I misread, apologies!

[overthetop]

What's ridiculous Tony? That somebody should be offered a job he "wants" but it doesn't match up to his benefits?

[Spoonboy]

For job satisfaction, for both employer and employee, would it not be better if he was offered a little more money in his wage in order to keep him and not force him to make the decision not to work? The minimum for a family man would be more like slave labour without the incentive.

[albaqwerty]

To be able to stand still, I'd need to clear £400 a week.

Don't know of any jobs in my field offering that sort of money.

[tonyav]

Yes overthetop.

[andy-hughes]

overthetop - I doubt he wants it badly enough to drop his income enough to be unable to feed and clothe his children - what do you think?

[tonyav]

The minimum for a family man would be more like slave labour without the incentive.

Nail on the head there Spoonboy.

[san070160]

I know. It's crazy! No wonder there are so many people who have no intentions of ever working! It's the system that's wrong!

[sara3]

slightly off topic, but my son (16) has just started his apprenticeship.. at £2.65 an hour. I feel he is being exploited.

[albaqwerty]

OTT is certainly living up to its name :-D

I'm not rising to the bait, I've me blood pressure to think about.

I just think you're patronising and rude.

[overthetop]

fine, so let's "all" keep in him in the lifestyle he can no longer afford.