h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

The nice lady at the Jobcentre tried to get me thrown out today

As I've been on the dole for a while I had to go to some review thingy, where they talk to you about your job searching, your goals blah de blah. Today I got the same woman that gave me grief when I first applied (tried to tell me, quite bluntly, that I had to apply for full time jobs in order to claim benefit - having a child and not having access to instant childcare means I can't work 40 hours a week, and your own rules exempt me from full time work you silly woman!), but she backed down when I asserted myself. All was well.

It started well today, apart from her buggering off every so often to 'get advice', but things turned sour when she asked me what three types of jobs I wanted to do. I said I didn't know, I could only think of two and I talked about my reasons. I also mentioned my driving instructor training course but she didn't want to know about that, or the efforts I have actually made in my job searches (I had an interview the other week, for example). She said that I had to put in three and went off yet again to 'get advice' when I suggested something silly (I think it was prime minister ).

When she came back I said well how about radio presenter for the third job? I have seven and a half years of voluntary radio experience to draw from. She said that wasn't feasible, I said why not. Apparently there aren't any jobs in the 'publishing industry'. I corrected her of course (broadcast industry ) and I suggested that if there aren't any call centre jobs would she take that off my list? She then proceeded to become quite officious and condescending, telling me that I didn't mention my voluntary work before. When I replied that I did indeed tell her about it first time round and it wasn't my fault that she hadn't noted it down, she started trying to stare me down and told me my attitude stank (her actual words). When I suggested that her attitude wasn't exactly what I expected either and I wasn't impressed with her attitude first time round either, she tried to have me thrown out. The security guard (who was about 10 feet away from us the whole time) turned round with a look that suggested "huh?", but I held my head high and walked out before things got any worse.

Sorry for the Jackanory, but I felt I had to write things down. I also think it's important to let people know that the Jobcentre isn't exactly falling over itself to help people get back into work (I bet you're surprised to hear that, eh?). I've requested a callback from a customer service manager as I'm going to make an official complaint so hopefully I can get this resolved. If not, I'm going all the way with this. Nobody treats me like something they've scraped off their shoe!

Aw As a third job, you could try windmill fighter?



And glad to see you managed to post in your journal at last

I'm too small to be a windmill fighter

If there's one thing that can be said for me, I do learn from my mistakes

I've had to have words with people for not writing things down as well.

I think you are within your rights to complain, you're clearly being dealt with by some sort of trainee who needs more supervision and training and how rude to comment on your 'attitude'!?

I kept getting called in for 'Lone Parent' interviews when I was off work CARING for J. I had to ring them EVERY SINGLE BLOODY TIME then when I started self-employment as the caring wasn't full time anymore, they had no help to offer, although one kindly bloke did give me the number of Business Link, who did help me fabulously.

Sounds like a trainee? Sounds more like one of their top performing experianced managers.... That is pretty much as goes about the best treatment you can expect from the utter tossers who actually speak to members of the public at the job centre plus.
Having gone to them for help several times and being point blank refused, I found myself a job, o on my own, with no assistance. I had the job, I'd passed the interview, I was ready, able and willing to start that Monday... Job centre plus ensured I couldn't take the job.
Apparently, anyone working at job centre plus who gets any good, or has any knowledge or idea of what they're doing quickly leaves the 'front room' services and goes off to sit in a back room office being a manager, and never speaking again to any members of the public, hence the constant loss of what otherwise might be potentially helpful people
I got to the point the last time I delt with them, where I was seriously considering just giving up being like an adult and behaving sensibably, and instead just beginning each telephone call with two minutes of non stop swearing, as not doing that didn't get a better response from them I was beginning to wonder if it were worth a try

Has anyone made a joke about "Pauline" and her pens yet?

I think that was done to death in my journal entry, some time before Christmas regarding the effectivness of the JCP ... mind, don't let that stop it being repeated

She wasn't a Pauline, she was just a cow

I did speak to a manager yesterday though, who agreed that I didn't get the service that woman was meant to provide to me. The complaint will now get passed to her line manager and then it's up to them to decide what to do next apparently. I had to go in again today to make a new appointment, signed on with the guy I usually see and I didn't see that silly mare. Result!

Bwahahaha, guess who couldn't look me in the eye when I spotted her at the Jobcentre on Friday? I also had a good giggle with the (very nice and helpful) advisor I saw. He started our conversation with a smile and said "So, I hear you had a bit of a dispute with 'Pauline'"

PMSL Fords.
Glad you got a result! More power to your job hunting elbow!