Do unpaid work or lose your dole money.

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.dailymail....enefit-crackdown.html

This scheme is to be implemented in London at first, and then if successful it will be 'rolled out' across the rest of the country.

Although I agree with this in principle, does one think it will really be successful?

Can any one see a problem?

[divegirl]

No they will get their 'dole' money of around £54 a week.

[wolf63]

Four of the guys who volunteer with me were, initially, sent round by the Job Centre as part of one of the back-to-work type programmes.

They must have enjoyed their time as they are all still with us - a few years down the line.

I don't think that they need to be supervised - if we don't turn up the shop can't open.

Anyway we will have to see what happens.

[ummmm]

AOG - not trying to answer for Wolfe but she has said many times on here that she suffers from Bi Polar. I'm sure voluntary employment are more sympathetic to her illness.

[wolf63]

AOG

^^^ I would be interested to know that if you have been able to claim Incapacity Benefit since 2003, how is it that you are able to do 'voluntary' work in a shop, surely you could get 'paid' work in a shop? ^^^

I worked for over 25 years as a Civil Servant (paying benefits) and during most of this time suffered with mental health problems. Even after being diagnosed as Bipolar I worked on for several years until my erratic behaviour and paranoia became problematic.

I work in the back shop of the charity shop - I have an area of work that I am responsible for and I do whatever part of it that I can get my brain around on each shift at the shop.

I think that you will find that most people who are long-term sick are genuinely unable to work.

[wolf63]

Thank you ummmm

[horseshoes]

I know somebody whose son had was ordered to do community service and as stated in a previous post, there was nobody to supervise him so he did hardly any of it.

[ummmm]

I know someone who got community service who got a friend to write in to say he could do his service in the gym he ran training youngsters in boxing. They accepted.

[admarlow]

ITS NOT UNPAID WORK!!

You are getting Jobseekers allowance so really thats your pay! Don't like it get a different job or stop claiming. Its not like they have anything else to fill their days with.

[LoftyLottie]

I am not on benefits, but if I was of working age I could not now work. I could not give an employer a reliable service and would need a lot of time off work. However, my services might be of use in the voluntary sector - in fact I do still do a little voluntary work (which is appreciated)

I think your posting to Wolf aog is very insensitive and rude.

[LoftyLottie]

And well done to Wolf, you didn't have to explain anything to aog!

[divegirl]

Wolf, it's good to hear that some of your guys are still with you BUT your company obviously had the jobs to give them. Many of these kids will be doing menial work and when their time is up they will be sent back and a new lot will be sent in!

Admarlow, do you have any idea what it is like for a college/uni graduate trying to get work?

While I agree there will always be the 'wasters' that are reported in the media and the trashy mags, there are many out there who are trying their damnedest to secure a decent job!

Lisa x

[WELSHYORKIE]

<<Perhaps that is the problem today, some people lack discipline and are allowed to do just as they like, so it my be a good thing for it to be made compulsory? >> AOG - you'll be advocating the return of conscription before long, will you?

[admarlow]

Divegirl if they are not doing this government organised work what else will they be doing, and don't say looking for a job for 10 hours a day! Far better to get some real work experience no matter how meanial. If there can't find a job maybe lower your expectations, maybe thats all you are good for in the current climate.

Why should you get £54 a week for doing nothing?

[LoftyLottie]

Agree with you Ad.

[sir.prize]

How many times, how many schemes, how many failures have Governments made to reduce the dole queues? The Dandy Boys in power won't improve matters.

[divegirl]

No they are not spending ten hours a day looking for a job as there are no jobs!
And I'm sorry but if you think that this will 'qualify' them to get a job then you really do live out side of the loop.
Oh so you worked weeding a care homes gardens for 3 months....here come work on the checkouts in Morrisons then!
Have any of you tried to look for work lately! Its a soul destroying and demeaning process. I've been there recently and managed to secure a self employed post....what am I getting for my effort? I am on the verge of eviction and more skint than I have ever been in my life!
Can't wait to have to go do my three months free work!

[anotheoldgit]

wolf63

I apologise if I offended you, but I didn't mean to, I was just curious and knew nothing of your health problem.

Please allow me to apologise to you once again.

[tonyav]

Agree with Lisa, there is nothing out there, and it's getting worse imo.

[lcg]

i agree with the idea wholeheartedly.....however, it is only fair people get paid either minimum wage for the hours they work or the hours are more reasonable - for example, 10 hours a week or so. people often provide no evidence they have looked for work except keeping adverts they have found on the internet, in local jobs papers or from the job centre. waving around bits of paper does not equal looking for work, yet the government has readily accepted this practice, along with verbal reports of how 'busy' the jobseeker has been. on another point, it has been rather funny watching aog trying to extract both his feet from his mouth this time.....another perfect example of his 'fair' and 'non-judgemental' approach to life.

[anotheoldgit]

LoftyLottie

/// I think your posting to Wolf aog is very insensitive and
rude. ///

Before taking the moral high ground on this, perhaps you should take a step backwards and take a look at your own rudeness.

As I have already pointed out to Wolf I was unaware of the type of medical problem to which she/he suffered, and have consequently apologised, even before you 'stuck your oar in'.

/// And well done to Wolf, you didn't have to explain anything to aog! ///

Neither do I to you, but obviously being apparently more polite than you, I have chosen to do so.