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Truth behind Jobcentre Plus advertised jobs

Posted by Work Programme | Posted in DWP, Government, jobcentre Plus, Labour Market System | Posted on 02-02-2012

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We are currently analysing past jobs advertised at Jobcentre Plus (be it the Jobcentre Plus website, directgov, job points, jobseekers direct and jobs handed over by advisers) to bring back some pretty nice statistics on the UK labour market.

Every jobseeker knows that:

  • Most agency jobs on there do not exist
  • Jobs from time to time are fake
  • Sometimes job vacancies are merely sting operations by Jobcentre Plus
  • etc.

But did you know that amongst the thousands of new vacancies posted daily, that hundreds are unpaid work trials (workfare) or employment programme “opportunities” that inflate the real number of jobs advertised?  By workfare, we are excluding workfare “work placements” handled by providers…

New builds, many workers not on a wage

A genuine job advert (posted 14/09/2011) is as follows:

Job Title:    CLEANING OPERATIVE
Job Code:    OLD/35697
Location:    OLDBURY B69
Hours:          30 PER WEEK OVER 5 DAYS
Wage:            JSA CONTINUATION
Description:   This is a Work Experience opportunity. Interested customers should contact their local Jobcentre to see if they are eligible but must not apply to host employers directly. You should be able to clean to a high standard and be flexible, reliable and thorough. Duties include different stages of cleaning new build houses in preparation for handover to clients and tenants. A driving licence and previous experience in using scrubber dryers and carpet cleaning equipment would be advantageous. This could lead to permanent employment. A CSCS card would be reqd and I have suggested to the employer that this could be financed through the flexible support fund.

This is clearly not a job. Regardless if the gained CSCS certification improves the person’s prospects in the future. Even in the recession, house prices are still of very high value. Someone shouldn’t be doing this work for free, on the expectation that there might be work for them in future… why would there be? They will just get more from the same method, the workfare circle continues…

Work Trial but no job…

Job Title:    CLEANING OPERATIVE
Job Code:    ROC/68444
Location:    ROCHDALE OL16
Hours:          16 HRS WEEK, 5 DAYS FROM 7
Wage:            BENEFITS PLUS EXPENSES
Description:   Experience preferred but not essential as full training will be given, good communication skills are essential as you will be expected to liaise with our clients.Duties will include general cleaning, vacuuming, mopping and cleaning toilets of domestic, industrial and office locations. The successful applicant will need a full UK driving licence as they will be required to travel around various sites in the North West.Work trial only.

Are you having a f**king laugh? Driving around the North West cleaning toilets for free 5 days a week?! We know the 16 hours is excluding travel time. We assume expenses mean fuel costs.

Workplace training, great but not a job…

Job Title:    CLEANING PRINCIPLES PATHWAY
Job Code:    RMF/23868
Location:    EAST LONDON RM1
Hours:          16 HRS P/WEEK OVER 5 WEEKS
Wage:            N/A
Description:   Skills Conditionality Mandatory referrals for JSA and ESA WRAG customers only.A comprehensive training package for entry into cleaning roles in offices, schools, hospitals and factories. Course consists of a Level 2 Award in Cleaning Principles, awareness of COSHH, identifying risks in the workplace and preparation for entry into work 1.Refer to Initial Provider Interview LMS Opportunity RMF 23670 and send REF 2 form.Course will begin in October.SL2 must be sent to the College prior to start date for result to be recorded under Skills Conditionality rules.

Just some notes

You may have noticed the above examples are all of cleaning. This is mostly down to a huge database of a million or so entries… and having to work out what looks like paid jobs (regardless if fake or not) and what are workfare. As you can see I got to job titles beginning with C… but I can safely say there are at least a few thousand of these “opportunities” last year across all different industries…

There is volunteering for your local community and/or for a charity, then there is working for free to benefit some profitable company. We do not recommend it. I am sure as these are on the Labour Market System, some people were forced to apply at threat of benefit sanctions.

Only a few examples, to keep the research under-wraps prior to realising statistics on the entire year.


Ipswich Jobseeker removed from Ipswich Jobcentre by Police

Posted by Work Programme | Posted in g4s security, Ipswich, Ipswich Jobcentre Plus, jobcentre Plus, jobseekers allowance, suffolk police | Posted on 28-01-2012

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An Ipswich jobseeker was escorted out of Ipswich St Felix House this week by two police officers.

News have reached Ipswich Unemployed Action that a jobseeker was forcefully removed from the Ipswich Jobcentre by two police officers before almost arrested and banned from the town centre for 48 hours under a Section 27 order (IUA note: s27 is just for drunk and disorderly in a public place?)

We had previously reported about the Nazi security at Jobcentre Plus offices back in 2009!

A fellow concerned jobseeker has described in an email how he experienced in the third person severe abuse of powers at Jobcentre Plus in Ipswich from jobcentre staff, G4s security guards and the even the police!!!

I am sure 1% of the jobseekers in viewing this website might be hoping an employment officer got his or hers comeuppance, perhaps knifed, punched, reduced to tears by insults or soaked with water…

Before we disclose the reasons why police were dispatched and a jobseeker escorted off the premises, the reason for this post is to highlight this ever increasing trend of abuse by G4s security in jobcentres – it seems the police are on side also. Perhaps this doesn’t come as a surprise to some.

The actual reason why this 30 minute incident erupted was due to the employment officer refusing to sign a jobseeker because he read a hand out sheet she had just given him. Even I (who is never surprised at much) had to have this confirmed. Its a shame it wasn’t recorded on video camera to upload to youtube.

Ipswich Jobcentre (like many) is cracking down hard on claimants. Jobseekers are no longer being asked verbally for evidence and a completed ES4JP (job log) is required. Some jobseekers are being forced to trip up …into benefit sanctions.

To make this easier to read, we have split it up (originally was a huge paragraph).

Reading a handout sheet was enough to refuse to sign

This is what had occurred:-

  1. Employment Officer tripped up the jobseeker in question
    Did you apply for the ##### job we gave you?” (The employer wasn’t remembered).
  2. Jobseeker redeemed himself
    After answering “No” and being threatened with benefit sanctions for 5 minutes or so, the jobseeker claimed he had applied for the position stating he had only answered Nodue to the job position wasn’t given from an member of staff but he had applied for it after visiting directGov.After making the bossy old woman red-faced after the jobseeker insisted her to check the system at the jobseekers request for the job position which returned negative; her attitude got quite aggressive.
  3. Jobseeker was given a form
    The jobcentre woman said she was issuing him with a notice and if he had failed to apply for a job again he would lose 2 weeks money “or more”. It sounded as if it was his final warning. Jobseeker picked up the form to read it but was requested to wait until he got home to read it.
  4. Jobcentre woman turned to G4s security guard before wandering off
    Listening to the mild argument with security, it appeared that the jobcentre staff member either highlighted part of the document or wrote on it. Although when the jobseeker went to read it, the interview was terminated. He had claimed he was only folding the document the time after she had warned him to read it at home… The jobseeker who contacted us didn’t see that bit as he was facing the jobpoints but when security was called over the jobseeker had the paper in his hand which was folded into four (in half, than in half again) to fit in his pocket.
  5. Code Zero – G4s security intimidation begins
    After a radio call, the two guards became four… one wandered off somewhere perhaps to call the police (why the radio then?! Maybe low on staff?) the 3 remaining guards surrounded the jobseeker in a triangle formation. When the guard came back it became four.The jobseeker claimed he wanted to just sign on and then he will go. The guards decided to block him in so he couldn’t leave. He seemed rather calm and immune to the bullshit, he even joked out loud about how long it took for the police to get here considering its only a few minutes away. A G4s security guard then gave him the option of leaving or that they will get the police. Surely no lawful authority to hold him if they haven’t even called the police? He stayed. Sounds like they didn’t even call the police in the first place.
  6. Two police officers arrived
    The typical bullshit of pretending to be your friend (Using words like “mate” in every sentence). Officers seems to think it was a criminal offence to be “rude” on “private” premises. (The jobseeker who reported this left the premises at this point)
  7. Section 27 Order
    Outside, one of the police officers were heard threatening to arrest him and ban the jobseeker from Ipswich for 48 hours before they both were trying to drag him along – although he had only stopped to provide details when the officer stopped to get out his notebook to ask him questions.

A combined hour to hour and a half of police time for this rather silly incident.

Our analysis

Was the jobseeker wrong to stay?

Neither the jobcentre woman or the four G4s security guards even asked him to leave. The employment officer had asked the security guard to make the jobseeker leave and the security guard had only asked if the jobseeker planned of leaving.

Under law this was no trespass – he had consent to attend a signing on appointment and should have been signed on. The police had no authority to forcefully remove the jobseeker from Ipswich Jobcentre Plus. The security had no right to intimidate and prevent the jobseeker from leaving (Did they expect the jobseeker having to assault someone just to be able to leave?)

As signing labour market declarations was part of the appointment and the employment officer had not terminated the appointment (although stormed off – she had not actually communicated to the jobseeker about this) the jobseeker had every right to wait even until the end of the day to be signed on.

Could the police actually fight real crime instead?

Probably.. lots of it these days.


Mandatory Work Activity is slavery: lawyers mount legal challenge

Posted by Work Programme Network | Posted in Community Action Programme, ConDem(n) Government, Conservatives, jobcentre Plus, jobseekers allowance, Mandatory Work Activity, Mandatory Work Activity Scheme, Public Interest Lawyers, unlawful forced labour, Work Experience two to eight week placements, Work Programme | Posted on 17-11-2011

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Public Interest Lawyers have launched a legal challenge of the Government’s Mandatory Work Activity scheme arguing that it amounts to unlawful forced labour. If this succeeds, the outcome could also apply to the Community Action Programme and the Work Programme. The merits of this case, Public Interest Lawyers acting on behalf of Jonathan Shaw, are:- [...]

What is wrong with Jobcentre Plus Employment Programmes?

Posted by Work Programme Network | Posted in DWP, Flexible New Deal, jobcentre Plus, Mandatory Work Activity, New Deal, Work Programme | Posted on 30-09-2011

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What is wrong with Jobcentre Plus Employment Programmes? By this we mean (for example): New Deal  (NDYP, ND25+) (ETF, VSO, SE, NDDP, NDLP) etc. Flexible New Deal Work Programme* Mandatory Work Activity scheme (* not really an employment programme but will be treated as such for purposes of this article) There will be many people [...]

DWP hides Work Programme failure statistics

Posted by Work Programme Network | Posted in ConDem(n) Government, Conservatives, DWP, Freedom of Information Act 2000, jobcentre Plus, jobseekers allowance, Mandatory Work Activity, work for your benefit, Work Programme | Posted on 26-09-2011

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Work Programme Network reveals the DWP has refused a Freedom of Information request for statistics relating to the Work Programme and Mandatory Work Activity. Contents1 Information intended for future publication (FOI Section 22)2 Work Programme Freedom of Information Request3 Work Programme FoI Response Information intended for future publication (FOI Section 22) Under one of the [...]

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Ipswich Unemployed Action comments...

  • Comment on Workfare workers are employees of the Crown? by Scouser
    local poundland has a junkie geezer on the door - got "workfare" written all over his slashed up face.
  • Comment on Brighton Campaign Victory On Poundland Workfare Placements. by Work Programme
    <blockquote>Within a short time a whole group of Poundland employees were standing just inside the doors either joining in or listening as we explained how exploitation of the unemployed as free labour is an attack on those in work as well as those without, and that all work should be properly paid.</blockquote> How do you know they aren't workfare slaves?!
  • Comment on Why did Waterstones end workfare at its stores? by Wayne green
    Would just like to say wel done on the action u took at brighton poundland . Could I just suggest that u write to all the top insurance companys and explain that all them that are unemployed are being forced to go and do the free labour as I dont belive that they understand thats the case and belive that we are all volunteers and we aint we being forced .i was forced to do free labour at local football club when I asked who was insuring me to be there as im being forced to be here the guy said I phone our insurance company and they said no im not insured due to am not an employee aint a volunteer or any way involved with said placment also no health and saftey was given there they are breaking the law as everybody that takes up work by law should have a test and by somebody thats fully quilified in health and saftey not just who u see on day one they breaking the law not doing it .i say if more people that are forced to do unpaid work MAKE SURE U SEE OR GET THEM TO RING INSURANCE COMPANY IN FRONT U TO MAKE SURE U INSURED AND TO DEMAND TO SEE THAT THE PERSON WHO IF U LUCKY ENOUGH TO HAVE A HEALTH AND SAFTEY THAT THEY ARE QUILIFIED TO GIVE U A HEALTH AND SAFTEY AS ONLY THOSE IN LAW CAN DO THIS ALSO JOIN A UNION COST 81P A WK THAT WAY U WIL HAVE SUM BODY ON YOUR SIDE TO FIGHT YOUR CORNER . Also when u finish your free labour u should make out a bill to said employer for work rendered and if dont pay take to small claims court 99. 999 of the time the employer wil not turn up to court ending in u winning the case as they dont want the bad publicity to affect there business .
  • Comment on Workfare workers are employees of the Crown? by Tobanem
    The latest major threat to Trade Unions is the tory-led TURC campaign. It means Trade Union Reform Campaign - which means the Tories want to outlaw the Unions! There might not be any Trade Unions left if TURC triumphs! Even if Trade Unions survive the TURC attack, I don't see much point in unemployed people joining a trade union when some unions are advocating Workfare! Not much unity in that, is there? Back in the Thatcher era, the Unions scuppered the "training" schemes for the unemployed by vigorously demanding these schemes be "surplus to requirements" - so as not to threaten the employment prospects of existing union members. Nowadays, it should be up to the unions and their current gainfully employed members whose future pay and conditions will be inevitably threatened by Workfare schemes to take a firm stand against the increasing use of wageless Workfare by a desperate Government as a cheap solution to unemployment. If Trade Unions allow Workfare into the workplace in the first place, any unemployed person joining a union under these conditions will be akin to bolting the barn door after the horse has bolted.
  • Comment on Workfare workers are employees of the Crown? by Mr No
    I'm personally a little sceptical about joining any club, be it a union or otherwise. Will they represent the average joe public alleged 'scrounger' when they are exploited for whatever period the dwp lets the provider deem a suitable punitive measure? In theory, but what about the practice? It's almost too big an issue. Join the union, they can see that this is one big scam, right? And they'll throw everything they've got at it for the few (yes, few) who stumped up a few quid? Maybe? And maybe I'm seeing this all wrong. They just speak up, raise awareness a little. Make noises? Are they what they used to be? I must take time to study. I've never had a direct enough experience of unions to really make any bold claims about such. This is simply my somewhat currently naive thoughts. A union can represent its members and have a knock on effect for the rest if they indeed can make much of a positive difference in todays rather bizarre climate. All the unions have probably had their true powers corrupted by corrupt power, they're probably told where their line is. Cynical perhaps? Truly hope so! Just my own instincts tell me it's a nice idea, maybe worth it? But at the end of the day my unemployment and the issues it may cause me, really has to be dealt with by me! Me, at the sharp end. On this side of the desk, having to duel with language with whoever is on that side of the desk. Having to watch every damn (and potentially damning!) word that may spill forth from my gob. Having to put up with all the bullshit, just to survive. And that's when you aren't doing anything wrong! An actual genuine claimant, doing ones best, but just doesn't like being treated like shit. Gosh, really? Yeah! Really. For the right wing readers... Yes, that's simply our issue. Simply! If only! My f**king mantra is going to be 'there are no f**king jobs!' Of course, one will leave out the swearing. However tempting. And before they even utter 'There are plenty of jobs out there and I simply must be doing something wrong', obviously because I am deemed as thick as shit by some moron adviser, I will swiftly add to 'there are no jobs' a rather honest and plausible 'that are suitable for me'. My f**king terms! Crown employee or state slave? I don't care. I'm me. Doing what's right. But unless you are a stubborn b*stard who doesn't take sh*t then stay calm, do your best. I cannot really afford 81p a day, nor 50p for the other union. Or did I imagine the other one? Hmmm? Take care people. Just 'aving a late night ramble.
  • Comment on Workfare workers are employees of the Crown? by Luther
    Don't think I'll be giving any money to Unison whilst they fund a Labour party that supports workfare. We need our own union.
  • Comment on Workfare workers are employees of the Crown? by workethic89
    Reblogged this on <a href="http://workethic89.wordpress.com/2012/02/06/45/" rel="nofollow">Brighter Future</a> and commented: Very good information RE Work Experience, Manditory Work Activity and the Work Programme.
  • Comment on Workfare workers are employees of the Crown? by ariversideview
    As a Union hating Tory I agree with this post and I think that regestering with Unison for your 6 month stint of work activity is a good idea. Also as these companies don't need to fill the vacancies filled by those on Work Activity and Work Experience schemes they are being subsidised by the state. Why should the state be subsidusing multnational companies?
  • Comment on Boycott Work Programme. by The Guardian
    Top five regrets of the dying A nurse has recorded the most common regrets of the dying, and among the top ones is <b>'I wish I hadn't worked so hard'</b>. What would your biggest regret be if this was your last day of life? There was no mention of more sex or bungee jumps. A palliative nurse who has counselled the dying in their last days has revealed the most common regrets we have at the end of our lives. And among the top, from men in particular, is 'I wish I hadn't worked so hard'. Bronnie Ware is an Australian nurse who spent several years working in palliative care, caring for patients in the last 12 weeks of their lives. She recorded their dying epiphanies in a blog called Inspiration and Chai, which gathered so much attention that she put her observations into a book called The Top Five Regrets of the Dying. Ware writes of the phenomenal clarity of vision that people gain at the end of their lives, and how we might learn from their wisdom. "When questioned about any regrets they had or anything they would do differently," she says, "common themes surfaced again and again." Here are the top five regrets of the dying, as witnessed by Ware: 1. I wish I'd had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me. "This was the most common regret of all. When people realise that their life is almost over and look back clearly on it, it is easy to see how many dreams have gone unfulfilled. Most people had not honoured even a half of their dreams and had to die knowing that it was due to choices they had made, or not made. Health brings a freedom very few realise, until they no longer have it." <b>2. I wish I hadn't worked so hard. "This came from every male patient that I nursed. They missed their children's youth and their partner's companionship. Women also spoke of this regret, but as most were from an older generation, many of the female patients had not been breadwinners. All of the men I nursed deeply regretted spending so much of their lives on the treadmill of a work existence."</b> 3. I wish I'd had the courage to express my feelings. "Many people suppressed their feelings in order to keep peace with others. As a result, they settled for a mediocre existence and never became who they were truly capable of becoming. Many developed illnesses relating to the bitterness and resentment they carried as a result." 4. I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends. "Often they would not truly realise the full benefits of old friends until their dying weeks and it was not always possible to track them down. Many had become so caught up in their own lives that they had let golden friendships slip by over the years. There were many deep regrets about not giving friendships the time and effort that they deserved. Everyone misses their friends when they are dying." 5. I wish that I had let myself be happier. "This is a surprisingly common one. Many did not realise until the end that happiness is a choice. They had stayed stuck in old patterns and habits. The so-called 'comfort' of familiarity overflowed into their emotions, as well as their physical lives. Fear of change had them pretending to others, and to their selves, that they were content, when deep within, they longed to laugh properly and have silliness in their life again." Full article <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2012/feb/01/top-five-regrets-of-the-dying" rel="nofollow">here</a> .
  • Comment on Cait Reilly, ‘What a Snooty So-and-So” says Ian Duncan Smith. by Wayne green
    In reply to andrew coates . There aint one immagrant on the work programme that im on and excuse me I speak 4 many people who say why the fuck do they have a council house and we ave lived here all our life and aint got one . And yes send em home then there be work for us english and stop free labour then employers would have to take paid labour , I take it that u so far up immagrants arses u must be married to one of them c--ts

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  • Mandatory Work Activity is slavery: lawyers mount legal challenge
    Public Interest Lawyers have launched a legal challenge of the Government’s Mandatory Work Activity scheme arguing that it amounts to unlawful forced labour. If this succeeds, the outcome could also apply to the Community Action Programme and the... […]