Work Programme prime Seetec refuses travel expenses
Work Programme prime contractor Seetec is reportedly refusing to reimburse travel expenses for those attending for less than 2 hours.
Is this happening with other Work Programme providers? As far as Ipswich Unemployed Action understands, Work Programme adviser appointments last under an hour. Work Programme participants have the right for their travel to be reimbursed as long as its reasonable (i.e. cheapest possible method).
Hopefully this means Seetec is close to liquidation rather than trying to force people into benefit sanctions for those who fail to attend further appointments. If there is money issues then are people being laid off?
We appreciate if anyone in the know can spread light on what Seetec is playing at, be it a Work Programme participant or staff member (including former).
Ipswich Unemployed Action. 
I was sent to Action for Blind people and so far they have not refused my travel expenses I had the refusal by A4E on FND to pay my travel until I complained to ice.
.
kyron1977
December 11, 2011 at 10:52 am
I realise some people think the Dole is a King’s Ransom.
But at (Aged 16 – 24) £53.45 (Aged 25 or over) £67.50 a week, it is not.
Bus Fares in Ipswich are £3.60 for a return journey. For anyone coming from other places to Ipswich – the case for very many Work Programme clients – it’s a lot more. Ipswich is the centre for people as far away as Leiston or Framlingham.
A return journey could come up well over £6.00 (the prices are going up and I can’t find the exact sum).
This is a big chunk out our budget. It represents, say, the money you set aside for food.
Having to fork the extra Fare out upsets the whole blance of your weekly money – which on the Dole you have to really plan carefully.
Andrew Coates
December 11, 2011 at 10:52 am
However it is worth noting that ice will not get involved until the internal complaint mechanism of seetec or other providers has been exhausted and presumably after you have been sanctioned to death
kyron1977
December 11, 2011 at 10:53 am
Seetec are their for only one reason and one reason only – TO STOP YOUR BENEFITS – and they will do that any way they can.
my experiences with a seetec in an office in cambridgeshire is even if go sick for the 2hrs you will lose your benefit / have a sanction.and as for voluntary work, well it isn’t is it, how can voluntary mean compulsary? if you do not do or refuse to do this voluntary work you will have sanctions and you benefit stopped, holding this against the very vulnerable in this society is scandulous, where are all these jobs seetec seem to think are out there? there aint any!
andy
November 15, 2012 at 11:18 am
Although some providers state in their “Minimum Service Delivery” pledges that they will provide travel costs, neither Seetec nor Ingeus do.
Click to access provider-minimum-service-delivery.pdf
Johnny Jack
December 11, 2011 at 11:00 am
Don’t you find it funny… the providers get to choose what little they do?!
What idiot sticks an Order Form before a contract(Rh)?!
DWP Generic Provider Guidance:
(DWP Provider Guidance Chapter 2: “Travel Expenses”)
Work Programme Provider Guidance: Ch4
and remember….
Work Programme Provider Guidance: Ch1
Make sure you complain about it!!!
Work Programme
December 11, 2011 at 2:45 pm
Even if not specifically included in min serv standards there is an argument to be had about non payment of travel expenses. Primes are contracted by and to the DWP. The DWP has its own standards which include reimbursement of travel expenses for all appointments made by the DWP (other than routine signing on). As a hireling of the DWP the primes are responsible for following DWP standards – ergo they should refund. The length of appoinmenmt is irrelevant – the cost is the same whether to appointmnet lasts 5 mins of 5 hours.
Still being Sparacus.
Gissajob
December 11, 2011 at 11:29 am
At my provider there has been a notice put up saying that they will not reimburse saveaway tickets after 9.30 am.A saveaway is a reusable ticket (it can be used the whole day unlimited),,the problem with saying this is here bus drivers just give out saveaway tickets the whole day,even if you just ask for a normal ticket,there is no difference in price you just get a saveaway.Obviously the person who put the sign up does not get the bus and does not realise thisI.I have not had a meeting with my advisor for about a month now and am not going to see him untill the 9th January,he said it was getting hectic here,I think they did not bank on the large number of people they were going to have to deal with and now are trying desperately to claw back some money,no matter if it is legal or not.I just get the train now but if they try to withdraw travel expenses completely I will just complain,no way I am going to pay for travel.
ck
December 11, 2011 at 3:39 pm
Fancy an adviser job at Ingeus? Check out their inspiring video here:
http://www.ingeus.co.uk/pages/work_for_us/0/work_for_us.html
Johnny Jack
December 11, 2011 at 3:51 pm
I’m inspired! Not.
Shopping expeditions? Did I hear that right? Good grief, what rubbish! As if that’s even remotely true. It reminds of the nonsense Working Links posted on their website under one of their case studies (which included paying for the same client to have a go in a driving simulator, a spot of lunch in town whilst out shopping don’tcha know, while another client had their guitar repaired!). In other words, bollocks.
I notice their jobsearch is nothing unique – it’s using their computers to look on the DWP’s crappy archive. Which can of course be done from home.
They are talking about seeing 14 or so clients a day. So how many of them are going to be cold calling and writing spec letters (the same thing) each week. One adviser’s clients will then be in direct competition with another’s and all of them will do the same dance next week. What an utterly squalid waste of time and money. Of course these vermin will pat themselves on the back if even one of them gets a job stacking shelves at least. That will vindicate all of this nonsense.
And what’s that, a customer left to read the newspapers? Presumably a local paper with a vacancies section.
Good god it’s just sickening corporate rubbish: ‘managing people’s expectations’.
Yes, we all know what that means.
hang on…Ingeus are Working Links? Well, well, well!
wishface
December 12, 2011 at 8:32 am
The bit in the video when they talk about how advisers are allowed to be “creative” was interesting. That’s code for “advisers are allowed to lie, trick and cheat jobseekers, as long as they meet their targets and make us lots of money.” 😛
Johnny Jack
December 12, 2011 at 10:06 am
Don’t be so silly, Wishface. Working Links paid for my commercial pilot’s licence (I am now a captain on BA – whoopee). Working Links also took me on shopping expeditions to New York, paid for holidays in Barbados, and all my appointments were over Tea at the Ritz.
Pinnochio
December 12, 2011 at 11:52 am
Ipswich: Eight people applying for every job at new store.
IPSWICH: Eight people have applied for every job being created at the new “Little Waitrose” store in the ground floor of the Corn Exchange, The Evening Star can reveal today.
http://www.eadt.co.uk/news/ipswich_eight_people_applying_for_every_job_at_new_store_1_1151165
Andrew Coates
December 12, 2011 at 1:51 pm
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN: What is your opinion contained in the following links regarding where UK ranks compared to other countries regarding unemployment benefits:
Table 2 on page 42:
Click to access 93623_ETUI-Lefresne_Chap_I_1_.pdf
Table 3 on page 5:
Click to access 1_Social%20Welfare%20How%20Ireland%20Compares%20in%20Europe.pdf
How is possible for many people in the UK to actually believe that their unemployment benefits are too high? Are they mad?
Nalik
December 11, 2011 at 4:26 pm
Anyone fancy working for Atos?
Job No: LPP/74204
Employer Reference: 127079
SOC Code: 4150
Wage: Competitive rates of pay apply
Hours: 37 Hours per week Mon to Fri Days
Location: Leeds, West Yorkshire LS1
Duration: Permanent
Date posted: 09 December 2011
Closing date: 23 December 2011
Pension details: No details held
Description:
Atos Healthcare is a leading provider of occupational health, employee assistance programmes, primary care and capability assessment services. We make a positive difference to the health and wellbeing of some of the UK’s largest organisations, delivering services that benefit over two million people each year. Business Administrator previous experience required 127079 ref no
How to apply:
You can apply for this job by visiting http://www.aplitrak.com/?adid=anVsaXRhLmpha2llbGEuMTM1NzYuNzc2QGF0b3MuYXBsaXRyYWsuY29tOpens new window (unless Javascript disabled) and following the instructions on the webpage.
Employer: Atos Origin
Johnny Jack
December 12, 2011 at 10:09 am
aplitrak.com
90% of what the JC advertise on the crappy site comes from that place.
I don’t trust it.
wishface
December 12, 2011 at 11:18 am
aplitrak… as in applicant tracking 🙂
Big Brother
December 12, 2011 at 12:15 pm
Westminister Council’s plans – for all benefit claimants:
Unemployed people will have to prove they are actively volunteering in the community in order to qualify for certain welfare benefits and social housing under “civic contract” proposals drawn up by a Conservative local authority.
In measures aimed at ending what it calls the “something for nothing culture”, Westminster city council also proposes that working families who “play by the rules” should get priority for social housing, while existing tenants who fall foul of the law should be evicted.
The central London council says it wants to draw up rules governing residents’ entitlements to locally controlled benefit payments, social housing and public services to ensure that decisions about how to deploy shrinking welfare resources are guided by the principles of “responsibility, fairness and opportunity”.
It claims its proposals, set out in a consultation document published on Monday, are a potential model for the future of local public services across Britain. It says: “A culture of ‘something for nothing’ is no longer financially possible and is not the kind of society we wish to foster.”
Other measures outlined by Westminster council include a £1-a-night tourist levy on visitors staying in hotels, the imposition of full council tax rates on its 9,000 second homeowners and increased charges for a range of council services.
But the proposals around benefits and housing – including the claim that social housing is “a privilege, not a right….”
The rest here:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2011/dec/12/westminster-council-means-test-housing
Andrew Coates
December 12, 2011 at 1:10 pm
Craigslist job adverts ‘lured unemployed to their deaths’
They are calling them the Craigslist Killers: a teenage boy and his 52-year-old mentor are accused of using the classified advertising website to lure unemployed men to a remote corner of rural Ohio, where they were shot in the head, before being buried in shallow graves.
Richard Beasley and 16-year-old Brogan Rafferty appeared in court in the city of Akron this week, after being arrested by police investigating the murder of at least two jobseekers, and the attempted murder of another man.
A fourth, unidentified, body has also been uncovered. Police are still searching for more victims, and say that although the motive was probably robbery or identity theft, it is possible that the men were simply killed for pleasure.
Court papers allege that Beasley and Rafferty placed an advert on Craigslist seeking applicants for the “job of a lifetime”, as caretaker for a “688-acre patch of hilly farmland”. Applicants were offered unlimited fishing, $300-a-week, and accommodation in a trailer.
More than 100 people responded. Several were called to an interview by Beasley and Rafferty. They were mostly uneducated, single men, with no close family ties, in their 40s or 50s.
If offered the job, the men were then driven to the supposed “cattle farm”. But in reality, it didn’t exist: the land is instead owned by a coal company. And for most of the would-be caretakers, the tour of the property was to be their last. Beasley and Rafferty were not arrested until one of their alleged victims managed to escape.
Scott Davis, 48, drove from his home in South Carolina to Marietta to meet the duo for breakfast. While walking through woods, Davis “heard what he thought was a gun being cocked”, according to a transcript of his police interview. “He turned to see a gun pointed at his head. He deflected the gun and ran.”
Davis found help at a house two miles away, and when police arrived they discovered several recently dug, shallow graves nearby. Beasley and Rafferty were later traced by FBI agents tracking their computers.
Rafferty faces charges of aggravated murder and attempted murder. Beasley, who appeared in court yesterday, is named as an accomplice but has not yet been charged with any murders.
Craigslist job adverts ‘lured unemployed to their deaths’
Independent
December 12, 2011 at 6:28 pm
I’ve just read this comment on Indus Delta:
“Since January 2006, I have worked for a number of providers on various contracts including ND, FND and CTF.
I moved into my last job (on CTF)in June 2010 and had been there 8 weeks when my Wife had an operation and subsequently caught a bad infection which rendered her unable to carry out her household duties.
I had to take quite a bit of time off my job took look after her and my contract was terminated as I couldn’t give a date of my return. I have NO problem with this.
Due to problems in the new job(I was threated with a knife)and my Wifes illness, I suffered stress problems for a few months and was on ESA for a short while. As soon as I felt better, I signed off ESA and went onto JSA of which I have been on 12 months in January.
Despite my many and varied attempts to find work, I haven’t managed to secure anything and will be referred to the Work Programme in January.
There are two main providers in my area (Ingeus and Seetec) but my JC+ Advisor insists that I have to go to Ingeus.
Do I not get a choice in this?
I’m also quite concerned that I may encounter some of my old clients. Most of them were a pleasure to work with but obviously there were a few ‘bad apples’ whom I sanctioned.
I have no problems with actually looking for work but I feel I am well capable of doing this on my own account being a former Job Search Tutor, Employment Advisor etc.
I’m also currently doing a PTLLS course in order to enhance my current skills.
What I am a little worried about is that given the pressure of these companies are under to get people back into work, I may be ‘pressured’ into one of the companies these providers have ‘agreements’ with ie: Greencore etc.
I understand my time has come and the Work Programme is mandatory but I am feeling rather uncomfortable about the whole thing. I can’t quite put my finger on why.
Confused.com!
John”
http://indusdelta.co.uk/discussion/going_to_be_referred_to_work_programme_january/8375
Johnny Jack
December 14, 2011 at 9:50 am
lol 🙂
Bad Karma
December 14, 2011 at 10:31 am
Have you considered scraping shit off toilet seats to earn your crust,JohnnyLarge, after all even “bad apples” have to eat 🙂
Skay48
December 14, 2011 at 10:41 am
Whatsoever a person soweth, that shall they also reap.
– Galations 6:7
Life plays some queer tricks, but one of them isn’t letting us get away with it
The Holy Bible
December 14, 2011 at 4:51 pm
You have no choice in your Work Programme provider.
I suggest that if you do not want to be be sanctioned that you comply fully with the Work Programme and do whatever Ingeus tell you to do.
Your failure to secure employment within 12 months means that you now qualify for further “help”. Failure to attend and comply will render you a “bad apple”, and thus your sanction awaits.
What goes around comes around after all – and perhaps as you say, you will get a chance to catch up with and rub shoulders with those you previously punished yourself.
Peace, love and karma to all this Christmas.
SammySanction
December 14, 2011 at 7:10 pm
Sauce for the goose?
wishface
December 15, 2011 at 4:02 pm
we should find you and kick the shit outer you bastard
jesus
February 19, 2012 at 9:09 pm
Submitted by Steve Adams on Wed, 14/12/2011 – 9:56am.
Even “bad apples” have to eat, John.
—-
Submitted by JohnnyLarge on Wed, 14/12/2011 – 9:59am.
Please elucidate on this.
—-
Submitted by Voice of Reason on Wed, 14/12/2011 – 11:09am.
Could I suggest that if you are “quite capable of looking for work on my own” that you really should have found a job by now, after a year on JSA???
—-
Submitted by JohnnyLarge on Wed, 14/12/2011 – 11:24am.
You of course may suggest it but as we all know, it’s a very tough jobs market out there and a lot of the ‘providers’ in this area have bitten the dust. Many of my former colleagues are in a similar boat [hehehe 🙂 after the TUPE and competition is fierce.
I’ve applied for driving jobs, shop work, training environments, IAG, manual work – just to name a few.
Of course I was expecting that type of reply……you get used to it after a while,
along with all the other platitudes often trotted out to unemployed people.
—-
Indus Delta
December 14, 2011 at 11:33 am
There is of course this:
“The UK jobless total reached a 17-year high in the three months to October, hitting 2.64 million.
The number of people out of work rose 128,000 in the period while youth unemployment, which covers 16-24 year olds, hit its highest level since records began in 1992 by passing the 1.027 million mark.
The growth was not enough to push the country’s unemployment rate higher – still standing at 8.3%.”
Andrew Coates
December 14, 2011 at 1:00 pm
Submitted by Steve Adams on Wed, 14/12/2011 – 1:02pm.
“I am feeling rather uncomfortable about the whole thing. I can’t quite put my finger on why.”
You feel uncomfortable about the whole thing because deep down you know you were wrong to sanction these “bad apples” and, possibly, condemn them to homelessness and starvation.
——–
Steve Adams
December 14, 2011 at 1:46 pm
There have been a number of staff redundancies at the Seetec branch I attend, seems they are in fact in deep shit.
Bernard
December 20, 2011 at 4:39 pm
I contract was not renewed last year, When the whole department was outsourced. Since than i had a number of short term contracts which like buses come long in bunches with long gaps in between. Dealing with the poorly trained and clueless staff at Jobcentre, Who it seems unable to understand what is a short term contract is, Or why it only lasted a week. These fools then start sending of letters to the companies, Demanding they explain why the job ended. Increasing the employment agencies are rejecting anyone who is signing at the Jobcentre.
What consistently gets overlooked is that there are a lot of well qualified and experienced professionals including myself. Who were made redundant during the recession and the provision in place at the Jobcentre or the Work Programme doesn’t cater for anyone above basic skills/entry level.
I was transferred to the Work ‘Slave’ Programme last month with ‘Seetec’. And I’am not impressed, This clueless bunch could not arrange a party in a brewery without making a mess of it. The person I was dealing with was 3 hours late and the company declined to refund my travel costs, Because I traveled by train (28 minutes), Rather than spend 3 hours traveling on two unheated buses each way (6 hours in total).
I been told that everyone must do the basic ‘Math & English’ course along with the basic ‘how to use a computer’ course. To someone with two degrees in ‘Computer Sciences’ is a joke. I suspect that they will get paid a fee for this.
This and being handed a dozen or so companies names and addresses each day to write begging letters. Companies tend to throw these in the bin. Any letter should be targeted at company if you have good reason, I.e a news report giving details of a new contract being won.
Thing that really get my goat is that I’am not allowed to take any short term contracts while I’am with them. Today Job market is all about short term, zero hour, rolling contracts.
The Engineer
December 20, 2011 at 8:32 pm
@ the engineer:
Minimum service standards are here:
Click to access provider-minimum-service-delivery.pdf
Seetec seem silent on the travel thing but I think you still have cause for complaint.
A4greed (my pimp) promise “A fully accessible service: that is accessible to all on public transport within 30 – 45 minutes travelling time,” I never thought I would say the a4greed were better than another pimp!
Gissajob
December 21, 2011 at 3:13 pm
Having just returned from the 86 mile round trip on stagecoaches unheated buses. Seetec claim its policy on travel costs is within DWP Guidelines, Namely by the cheapest route.
For me it’s a forty minute walk to the station and even longer to the bus stop. That comes of living in the country. The nearest town lost it’s Job Centre some years ago. Even the town last Employment Agency shut down last year.
Had no joy from the Jobcentre on this. The only person who was any good there, Was transferred for rocking the boat on my behalf.
The Engineer
December 21, 2011 at 9:09 pm
The Engineer – welcome to the world of the Work programme. I know it won’t help but your experiences are not unfamiliar. I would say:
“Thing that really get my goat is that I’am not allowed to take any short term contracts while I’am with them.” Really – what’s to stop you? They want you in long terrm employment so they can milk the ongoing fees from the DWP but surely they have no means at all to stop you taking whatever employment you are offered. Get them to state in writing that they forbid you to accept/apply for short term contracts (they would be very silly to do so!) then show this to the JC people (preferably as a complaint) sit back and see the sparks fly.
As for the basic maths/english thing. I suspect here that the pimp is sytematically milking the European Social Fund with the active connivance of a company (like Learn Dirct). I have read elsewhere (Indus) site that pimps get a kickback of around £1500 for each candidate completing the Learn Direct basic literacy/numeracy course. LD probably getting more than this from the ESF – hence the financial imperative to send bodies on the course. My feeling that a good case could be made for fraud since there are clearly people being sent on such courses for whom the course is blatantly inappropriate with the sole motive being to extract money from the ESF.
As for the travel expenses. I suggest you get your hands on the Pimp’s Minimum Service Standards (should be on their notice board, if not ask for it or get from the web). My pimp has the standard that the service will be available within half an hour’s travel by public transport of the customer’s home. Clearly the train meets this and the bus doesn’t. Therefore they should refund train fare. Put in a written complaint and keep escalting it until they pay up. Keep all your tickets.
Gissajob
December 21, 2011 at 2:59 pm
Gissajob is right about the short term contracts.Just sign off as soon as you get any short term contract/job,your provider can not do anything.What they going to do,sanction you from getting the JSA you are no longer getting?They don’t like short term contracts because they will not be able to claim a paid result,but stuff them.
ck
December 21, 2011 at 6:35 pm
The contracts are often only for a day or two providing cover. As you never know when you are going to get the next one.
And when you sign back on, You are sent back to the work program. I had a rare ten week contract back in the spring,
When I signed back on. The counter had not been reset. And was sent to TNG, The same worksly fools now work for Seetec who now have the contract.
As for travel by Pubic Transport, It is a long walk to the station and even longer to the bus stop.
When working I use a cab to and from the station.
I refused to sign the action plan today as it had a statement that I was to apply for only full time permanent employment of any type.
The Engineer
December 21, 2011 at 9:29 pm
Good on you on not signing to only apply for permanent employment.You are right about the counter not being reset but that also means that they do not get paid for a result.You do what works for you and not for them.Hopefully you may get more ten week or longer type contracts next year (maybe in this economic climate that is being very optimistic),anyway good luck.
ck
December 21, 2011 at 10:36 pm
@ the engineer – quite right to not sign the agreement with that wording. “employment of any type” indeed! This lets them push you in to absolutey anything. You (and everyone else) is entitled to apply for jobs for which they are suited by way of education, experience and training – not just any old zero hours, min wage, toilet cleaning positions. Refer then to your Job Seeker’s Agreement.
Oh Yes – and put in an Official Complaint about the travel expenses.
Gissajob
December 22, 2011 at 8:32 am
I’m currently on a 4-day employability skills course with SEETEC, Romford. I’ve currently got an adviser that has consistently tried to trip me up by saying courses are voluntary when clearly they are not as if i don’t attend i will be sanctioned.
I’m going to take the advice of the person who suggested using a dictaphone as my current adviser is persistently trying to trip me over so i’m sanctioned and removed from the unemployment register.
Im also doing a learn direct course tomorrow in basic IT skills which from what i read above means SEETEC will receive a payment for me completing it.
Antony Webber
December 22, 2011 at 10:13 pm
Hi Anthony,
and welcome to the world of Work programme newspeak. It seems to me that pimps will often say something is voluntary whilst at the same time hinting heavily that sanctions will follow if you don’t play along. I have even had one say words to the effect that “well you have the choice whether to do this or be sanctioned so it’s voluntary” – George Orwell would be proud of such doublespeak! In reality (and according to Chapter 3 DWP guidelines which can be found here: http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/wp-pg-chapter-3.pdf) in order for something to be mandatory the pimp MUST foliow the correct procedure . I quote:
“To ensure you comply with regulations when mandating participants you are required to:
•
Ensure that the activity is reasonable in the participant’s circumstances.
•
Notify the participant in writing of:
o
The specific action that they are required to undertake.
o
When or by when they must undertake it.
o
That the action is mandatory.
o
What evidence, if any, they must supply to demonstrate completion.
o
The potential consequences should the participant fail to comply. Required wording: If you do not undertake the activities required in this notification your benefit could be affected.
o
For ESA participants only, state on the notification that ‘this activity forms part of your work-related activity action plan.’
Chapter 3 Work Programme Provider Guidance
2 V2.00
•
Record the above information (the Mandatory Activity Notification) along with all other ongoing mandatory requirements in a single document”
I assume that you are entitled to see such document!. It follows that if the pimp hasn’t done all of the above the activity cannot be treated as mandatory.
The DWP guidelines go on to say:
“Consequence
If you fail to mandate a participant correctly (as outlined above), or the Mandatory Activity Notification is not recorded in a way that meets the criteria outlined above Jobcentre Plus Decision Makers may be unable to impose sanctions. This will waste both your time and that of Jobcentre Plus.”
Anthony I hope this helps and gives you some ammunition – have fun!
Gissajob
December 23, 2011 at 9:39 am
On job seeking activity, I wonder if everyone has got their little booklet from the Job Centre to fill in with all the stuff you have done to find work over Christmas.
There as a pile of these when I signed on.
How they think people are going to find work between this week and the one just after New Year is beyond me.
Perhaps they just want you to feel miserable over the Christmas period.
Andrew Coates
December 23, 2011 at 4:02 pm
Well it hasn’t worked! Merry Xmas to all unemployed folk throughout this green and pleasant land. 😀
Johnny Jack
December 23, 2011 at 5:06 pm
What you do is hit every internet website at your library or internet cafe(though i know they charge at internet cafe’s) and just find something you think you could do and write the details down as they won’t know whether you’ve applied or not.
Antony Webber
December 27, 2011 at 5:25 pm
SEETEC is a total cowboy company. I have had nothing but threats and abuse from their staff.
They even wanted £10 of me when i put in a Freedom of Information request. Google `SEETEC PROPERTIES` and see all the company info about these cowboys who are making millions fron the UK taxpayer and European social fund.
Some SEETEC Staff; PETER ALBERT COOPER (OWNER) ALAN FRAY 07919 481415, ELAINE COLE, GRAHAM MARTIN (CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER). 01702 201070.
Yosser Hughes
January 6, 2012 at 11:28 am
You are entitled to your travel expenses reimbursed period, however long your appointment is, the travel expenses are to pay for just that as long as you have a valid in date receipt.
Antony Webber
January 6, 2012 at 12:57 pm
[…] We have previously reported how Seetec could be in financial difficulties, when they refused to reimburse travel. […]
Breaking News: Work Programme reforms « Ipswich Unemployed Action.
February 2, 2012 at 10:12 am
Seetec Group Limited is not a registered company
https://www.lifeinthemix.info/2012/03/seetec-group-ltd-work-programme-exist/
Caz
March 27, 2012 at 9:10 pm
I’ve just been referred to Seetec. My adviser told me that I would only have to attend a single initial interview and was not required to attend more if I did not feel up to it. This sounds like a blatant lie to me from reading around and that if I am referred to Seetec then I am basically being put on the work programme. End of?
Dick
May 5, 2012 at 9:37 am
Dick youre right, they’re talking complete bollocks. You attend for an initial interview then they should give you an action plan and date to attend again, sometimes that’s monthly, sometimes fortnightly, and i have heard of weekly.
Antony Webber
May 7, 2012 at 9:59 am
Its been 9 wks so far for me,and i am ecstatic about that.
george
May 13, 2012 at 5:22 pm
9 weeks in a row of having to attend or 9 weeks from the initial interview???
Dick
May 13, 2012 at 5:54 pm
The one and only reason people hate Seetec for, is that we are forced to attend. When you force a person you will get resistance in various degrees according to the mental strength of the client.
I strongly do agree that any person who is work able! Should work for the benefit they gain. But on a pro rata system. Worked out at a minimum wage rate. With a cap on 36 hours. Example if a job seeker is gaining sixty seven pounds per week, then this should be divided by minimum wage rate, giving hours expectation of work. “Travel expenses paid for, Oh and an extra ten pounds on top of your benefit.
This would be much like the community program of the early eighties. This would give work experience, stop winging poms complaining and be a benefit to the economy.
Please could we have some legal advice or genuine help on this site, instead of bluster?
Like who are Seetec?
Who gains the sanction monies?
Any positive experience or advice?
Richard the Lion-heart
Richard Marshal
May 16, 2012 at 11:01 pm
I spoke to my JC adviser and she said I am definitely not mandatory to attend and was only to have attended the intial info session with Seetec. Apparently they should have obtained a copy of my action plan from the JCP before contacting me. I have not obtained copies of my action plan from the JCP and it says on it ‘WP: Info Session – Voluntary’. I have just phoned Seetec and told them this and asked them to call the JCP to confirm this with them. He said he would call me back later today with an update. What’s the betting I either 1. do not get a call back or 2. he calls back and gives me some BS about it being mandatory? I will then ask for the name of the person he spoke to and call the number I gave him to confirm he actually spoke to someone.
Dick
June 18, 2012 at 9:11 am
I am on work program with CTA in Cheshire and they just refused to pay my travel expenses to glasgow ( £92 ) . Interestingly the dole office said they would have paid if i wasn’t on the work programme . Should i be worse off for being on the work programme ?
derick
July 13, 2012 at 1:26 pm
I would definitely contest it. Write a letter to the Job Center/DWP explaining this exactly. I just got taken off of WRAG and put onto the Support Group after complaining about how the work programme was making my health worse. I also backdated payment from when I was put on WRAG. It is worth writing to them and complaining. Also make sure to complain in writing to the work programme provider. Let us know how you get on. Nobody should be out of pocket for attending!
Dick
July 13, 2012 at 4:20 pm
It states on the DWP website: “Individuals attending Work Programme should not be worse off by virtue of attending the provison [sic]. When the customer attends either an interview with the Provider, a job interview arranged by the provider or undertakes other work related activities, the provider is responsible for funding the customers travel costs.”
Scroll down to page 3:
Click to access work-programme-faqs.pdf
James
September 20, 2012 at 4:53 pm
[…] reported last year that Seetec is reportedly refusing to reimburse travel expenses for those attending their […]
Mandatory Work Activity Preferred Bidders: ATOS and Other Chancers… « Ipswich Unemployed Action.
July 16, 2012 at 11:33 am
Had the mandatory AIMS training today at 9am at Romford, Essex. My advisor said it would be for 1 hour. At 10 o’clock I requested my travel expense from the receptionist & she refused saying refunds were only paid out after 11am! This was NOT explained by the advisor & as I did as I was asked can’t understand why I wasn’t paid! My advisor said I needed to write/email a letter of complaint to the manager because he was not in work today. Please contact me to discuss this.
Yvonne Gotz
October 10, 2012 at 1:20 pm
Hello Yvonne, i also attend SEETEC, Romford, Essex, and have had the pleasure of undertaking the most entertaining and informative AIMS course(joking of course) at Romford, Essex. What you are being told is correct, fares are only paid at 11am each weekday morning, and if you choose to leave before then you will not be able to claim fares back.
As to complaining, i think to be fair there are signs up around the office saying when fares will be paid, though unless you have had a good look around (and quite frankly who wants to) you would be unlikely to have noticed.
Who is your adviser as some are better than others. If you have Emma as an adviser youre on a hiding to nothing and maybe a complaint isn’t a bad idea.
If you want to complain you need to contact Complaints Department, SEETEC Head Office, Main Road,Hockley, Essex, SS5 4RG.
Antony Webber
October 10, 2012 at 2:38 pm
Hello Yvonne, i also attend SEETEC, Romford, Essex, and have the pleasure of undertaking the most interesting and informative AIMS course(joking of course) at Romford, Essex.
What you are being told is correct fares are only paid at 11 o clock each morning, and if you choose to leave before that time you will not be able to claim your fares back.
As to complaining, i think to be fair there are signs up around the pillars in the office, though unless you look 6ft into the air and have a good look around the office(and frankly who wants to) you would be unlikely to have noticed.
Who is your adviser? as some are better than others. If Emma Elliot is your adviser you’ll be on a hiding to nothing and complaining about her isn’t a bad idea.
If you want to complain you need to contact Complaints Department, SEETEC Head Office, Main Road, Romford, Essex, SS5 4RG.
GOOD LUCK!
Antony Webber
October 10, 2012 at 3:07 pm
Complain?
Why you must be joking, those courses are so helpful that people talk about them for years afterwards.
Usually when they’re on the next ‘course’, or the next, or indeed the next.
Andrew Coates
October 10, 2012 at 3:10 pm
I wrote a complaint to SEETEC’s Head Office and found i had a very positive response and my points were accepted as perfectly reasonable, and im now attending as i did previously, without restrictions other than my mandatory appointments.
I agree about the courses though, we’re just on a conveyor belt in a sausage factory going round and round in ever decreasing circles.
I take it you’re still attending? Ive been going now for 15 months and have found the whole process an utter waste of time.
Antony Webber
October 10, 2012 at 3:16 pm
Where are these figure’s that the DWP has to publish this month regarding how many people the Private Providers have got into full time employment, since the Work Programme started back in 2010?
It’s October Mr Iain Duncan Smith, so where are they? Come on we could all use a good laugh, or are you scared it will show the Private Providers in their true light of being absolutely useless and not fit for purpose.
Obi Wan Kenobi
October 11, 2012 at 12:41 pm
Hello Obi Wan Kenobi. I hate to disappoint you but the figures are due for release in November. I agree with you about these private providers. Ive just had my monthly review with what can only be described as a glorified car salesman, spiky hair, fly by night wide boy, who is no more than twenty years old and says he’s expert in talking to people on the phone, and he could teach me!!!
I’m over 40 and he wants to teach me how to talk on the phone !!!.
Im in agreement the sooner these figures are released and the providers are shown up for what they are the better.
Antony Webber
October 11, 2012 at 1:39 pm
The provider i describe above is SEETEC by the way.
Antony Webber
October 11, 2012 at 1:41 pm
I too have been refused my travel and have tried to complain …. it`s not only as good as impossible to complain there appears to be no official channel to complain through
Seetec is having a right old giggle at there contractors expence they obviously seem to think
they`re untouchable .this isn`t my only complaint with them as for training and funding ha ha ha i doubt we`d be lucky enough foe togo under they`re just greedy piss takin sons of bitches …. that`s my opinion and i`m in titled to it!. And as far as untouchable goes ,we`ll see about that too…….
D ave Meacham
October 13, 2012 at 11:18 am
I am now having to split my time between careing for a member of my family and doing jobsearch, I asked my Private Provider if there was any way they could help me in respect to my prediciment, they said no, so I went to see JCP.
The Jobcentre have been very helpful (suprise surprise) they have cut down the hours on my jobseekers agreement (where I’m obliged to look for work
Obi Wan Kenobi
October 20, 2012 at 10:56 am
Hello Obi Wan Kenobi. It’s good to hear your jobcentre being helpful as in my experience i have found my job centre to be the same when seeking advice, or i have been guided accordingly.
These programme providers make me sick, all they give a damn about is how to FORCE people off benefits into work regardless of how it affects your circumstances.
My advice is keep fighting them. I have had numerous battles with my work programme provider over varying issues. My current adviser said he would show me how to talk differently to somebody on the phone!! Im over 40 and have spent a number of years during my lifetime speaking to employers on the phone regarding employment vacancies.
Then he said i could work 15 hours a week, though i live alone with rent, council tax, food etc to pay. I explained theoretically i can but there’s only a five pounds earnings disregard before benefits are stopped if you’re living alone without children like myself, to which he believed me to be obstructive.
I wish you all the best and your family and keep posting. Take care and keep up the fight.
Antony Webber
October 20, 2012 at 11:16 am
Re – Last post continued
down to 16 hours per week) this doesn’t affect the amount of benefit you recieve. I went to tell my Private Provider adviser this and his face went very red, he became very angry and stopped just short of swearing at me,
because now he knows that even if they find me a job they won’t be able to claim any money for me from the DWP.
Obi Wan Kenobi
October 20, 2012 at 11:06 am
Hi Antony Webber,
I’ll tell you something about Jobcentres and this is the truth, the managers and advisers there are sick and tired of these Private Providers trying to sanction the unemployed for no-reason reasons.
Bradford Jobcentre are now tell people who are on the Work Programme:
As long as you bring us checkable jobsearch for the last fortnight, we will sign you on , no problem.
Obi Wan Kenobi
October 20, 2012 at 11:40 am
I frequently complain at jobcentreplus about the way i have been treated, along with many others and they are also getting fed up with the frustration, anger etc of claimants. Im hoping that it may be getting to a situation that the worm is finally turning.
Ive read that jobcentreplus has reduced referrals by 40% this is partly due to cutbacks in jobcentreplus staff, and their lack of time available to refer people. I hope that everything works out for you, and as i said keep posting as the more people are made aware of their obligations and rights the better it might get for ALL of us.
GOOD LUCK! and all the best.
Antony Webber
October 20, 2012 at 11:55 am
By the way I have now been on the Work Programme for 67 weeks, only 37 more weeks to go until I finish the 2 years of hell, then no doubt I’ll have to do the 4 weeks work placement at some scumbag exploitation firm, but only for 16 hours a week instead of 30 hours a week due to my new jobseekers agreement mentioned in the posts above.
If anyone on JSA is having to care for someone and look for work, go see your Jobcentre about it, they can help.
Obi Wan Kenobi
October 20, 2012 at 12:11 pm
Ive been on the Work Programme for 15 months and have 9 months to go. Ive only got to go to monthly reviews, hopefully until completion,and agree even for the short time i’m there i find the place a hell hole with almost complete incompetence all over shitec (SEETEC)
I’m actually studying at the moment which will eventually gain me entry to higher education, when i can apply for funding enough to cover the costs of my cheap rented flat, and with a bursary as well means i’ll be completely off the system for up to 3 years, and will also have placements which i could possibly get paid work from.
The future maybe looking brighter, just have to bide my time whilst there and not let the shisters get me down. May the force be with you Obi Wan Kenobi youre our only hope.
Antony Webber
October 20, 2012 at 1:09 pm
I’m on monthly appointments myself, since I gave my adviser the 16 hours news, before that I was on weekly appointments, so what I have done has had a profound effect. I made them squirm for a change, it was an orgasmic experience.
Obi Wan Kenobi
October 20, 2012 at 1:27 pm
THOUGHT SO
THOUGHT SO
December 31, 2012 at 2:30 pm
Am now on the last 6 months of the Work Programme at Seetec, Romford, Essex, so the providers are no longer able to make any money from me should i get a job. So the only thing they should sensibly do is undertake my review, and then give me my action plan for the month, and let me go home.
I seem to have been constantly brought into SEETEC for no reason other than to annoy me, and on producing comprehensive evidence which amounts to 6 pages of jobs this seems still not to be enough.
I have had other advisers say quietly to me that they dislike my adviser and believe he has a problem with me, and it’s completely uneccessary for me to attend for nothing more than my review, and to top it all off i have experienced heckling, shouted at behind my back as ive left the office.
All i can say is the sooner i finish on the programme the better, and good riddance to such a poorly designed programme, and oppressive regime.
Antony Webber
January 1, 2013 at 11:09 am
Sorry to be the bearer of bad tidings Obi but if you finish the WP (2 years) you will find yourself the subject of additional support for the very long term unemployed – or THE COMMUNITY ACTON PROGRAMME. This is full time – 25 hours of work (unpaid of course) plus 10 hours pw of supervised hobsearch. User Guidance is here:
http://www.dwp.gov.uk/supplying-dwp/what-we-buy/welfare-to-work-services/provider-guidance/community-action-programme.shtml
Now it seems from the time that you have been on the wp that you were one of the first. In a way this is good news in that there is a strong possibility that you were incorrectly mandated by use of the wrongly worded WP05 letter – or even no WP05 but some other letter (e.g. WP02). If this is the case – and you complain – outcomes so far are that people are being withdrawn from the WP and placed on “normal signing arrangements “at JCP for 6 months. At the end of the 6 months it’s back to the WP I’m afraid BUT the 2 year period starts again – thus deferring the onset of the draconian CAP and having a 6 month break from the WP..
You need to check the wording of the letter you got mandating you to the WP.
Gissajob
October 21, 2012 at 9:27 am
This may interest you.
On 27 February 2012 an FoI request was made to the DWP which asked in part for all JCP guidance regarding the Work Programme. The DWP responded to this part of the request on 01 May 2012 by providing a file entitled Work Programme.zip. If you download this file and unzip it you’ll discover there a pdf entitled Work Programme Referral. On page 16 of this document, under the heading ‘Refer Claimant’, there is the following:
“86.For mandatory claimants only, you must issue the appropriate LMS WP Referral Letter.
Note – Jobcentre Plus is unable to sanction claimants who have been issued with the wrong WP start letter.”
Here’s the link:
http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/jcp_guidance#incoming-278228
Here’s another consideration.
At the end of every version of the WP05 referral letter it is stated that Jobcentreplus have passed on the jobseeker’s contact details to the Work Programme Provider. If the referral to the Work Programme was faulty, might this have implications as far as the Data Protection Act is concerned? Let me put it like this: having passed on confidential contact details regarding the jobseeker to the Work Programme Provider as part of the mandatory referral process, does Jobcentreplus have an obligation to ensure that the rest of the referral process is carried out correctly, because if the referral process is not completed correctly then the passing on of personal contact details would constitute a breach of confidence on the part of Jobcentreplus?
JBS
October 21, 2012 at 11:10 am
JBS may well be right – and there is another consideration – If someone has collected a sanction or two whilst on the WP AND has been incorrectly mandated to the WP in the first place should not those sanctions be reversed?
I suspect that thousands of WP consignees have been incorrectly mandated (non use of WP05 or a version of WP05 that did not contain the required reference to the enabling regulations).
Now just think what chaos could be caused if these people (or even a small number of them) complained!
Omnishambles or what?
Gissajob
October 21, 2012 at 5:19 pm
Definition of a Work Programme Provider and Advisor working there:
A scum sucking leach that lives off the backs of the unemployed, who’s only interested is finding you a full time job that will last peferably for 2 years or longer, so they can claim thousands and thousands of pounds from the Department of Work and Pensions on your behalf for themselves, you don’t see a penny from this. These Private Providers see the unemployed as pound sign’s on legs.
Obi Wan Kenobi
October 20, 2012 at 1:04 pm
I was attached to the London Work Programme on 15/11/2011. I have since attended and participated in three mandatory activities with one failed activity as a direct consequence of a failure to attend. Out of the three activities, one is a job search by myself.
One activity is logged as a completed intense job search and applications. That is a gross exaggeration. The third took place at a different centre where I merely filled in two pages of self assessment with the view to making me aware of my expectations.
There is also the matter of the failed activity.
This matter is at present being passed through HM Courts and Tribunals Service.
The case brought against me relates to the failed activity on 14th May 2012 due to my failure to attend the appointment. I was duly sanctioned for this failure to participate.
That should have been the end of the matter. But the provider gave evidence of misconduct happening on the day they initiated as the sanctionable offence. i.e.. the day when I was not present to be anything but absent. That aside, I regard my experience
with the London Work Programme at Prospect Service Peckham as abysmal. The idea that this provider gets money from Seetec via the social fund towards getting me back to work is a nonsense bordering on derision.
Charles Russell
November 2, 2012 at 9:33 am
Sent to Prospects Training Services
I’m somewhat confused and forgive others if they are too. The bracketed terms point to my thoughts on the matter.
I received a decision from HM Courts & Tribunal Service confirming a decision made on 27/06/12. It refers to my failure to participate in the work programme on 14th May 2012 and not being sanctioned for failing to attend on that day. (I think this means I was sanctioned for not participating and not for failing to attend the appointment on that date.)
The decision then goes on to say that it accepts the evidence from Prospect Service Peckham about what happened when I went to that appointment. (I think this means I went to the appointment on that date.)
Given that I failed to participate because I failed to attend on 14th May as not mentioned I intend to appeal to the upper chamber against the decision. (The reason the provider stated for non participation was through not complying with attendance to the appointment)
Clive Merrifield, the centre manager at Peckham, during a recent meeting recognised the issue of my failure to participate on 14th May 2012 and this being due to my failure to attend that appointment. He also said he would resolve the issue of my non participation on 17th April 2012 which was never made a matter for sanction yet had its evidence of that appointment made to support an accurate claim of non participation on 14th May 2012. i.e. On the very day I failed to attend. (I think the non compliance of participation relates to failure to attend the appointment.)
(At this point, I’m even more confused. Either I attended the appointment or I did not attend the appointment.)
There is no signature made in the sign-in book at the centre for 14th May 2012 because of my absence but there is one made 17th April 2012, for my very first interview with a new advisor, Cheryl Watts.
Miss Watts and myself having fell at odds with procedure caused me to abandon that appointment pending my complaint to JSP about her slanderous comments to myself as recorded on a digital device. The reason for this contact is to request that this issue be resolved and that documentary evidence is made available to the court to support my appeal. The evidence I require merely relates to the facts and nothing else.
1. I did not attend the mandatory appointment on the 14th May 2012.
2. That the evidence given to the courts could not possibly have taken place at the appointment made for the 14th May 2012
3. That the evidence supporting my presence at the centre given as accurate by Prospects Service Peckham and witnesses supporting sanction made for 14th May 2012 was not related to that day.
Oh for the life of a Spark.
Charles Russell
November 2, 2012 at 9:56 am
It certainly seems as if the people organising this are muddled and vindictive.
best of luck!
Andrew Coates
November 2, 2012 at 12:26 pm
i have been on seetec for 13 months i have had my money stopped twice, made 20 odd complaints to head office. nothing as been done. i am there again today at 3.30 for more patronizing bullshit i turn up nd act daft me, and i sign absolutely nothing
scotty
November 14, 2012 at 10:52 am
Hello Scotty, i read your post with interest and couldn’t agree more with your opinions of SEETEC. I haven’t as yet had my money stopped, but i understand your opinions on the patronizing bullshit they present you with.
Why did your money get stopped? The reason i ask is i have had threats of sanctions by my current adviser, and when i spoke to the jobcentre about the impossible job search target they gave me, i was told in no uncertain terms that i am complying with my jobseekers agreement and the target can’t be enforced in LAW.
I have now got to attend a how to write a spec letter course, and how to search for jobs on the internet course in the next three weeks though i know how to do both and can prove it. These people are complete arseholes, with some of these so called advisers unable to write, dress, communicate or use a computer and advising me about finding work.
I have been at SEETEC for 16 months with 8 months to go and cannot wait to be released from this oppressive, demonizing, blaming, incompetent crap myself.
I wish you good luck in surviving SEETEC.
Antony Webber
November 14, 2012 at 11:33 am
They are all freaks, I spent a whole year once trying to work out if one of them was a man or a woman. They are nothing but low-life scum. We should build a big bonfire and throw the lot of these scumbags on it.
Emma
November 14, 2012 at 5:54 pm
The criterion is not that anyone fails to attend an appointment but fails to participate. Obviously, if you don’t turn up you can’t participate but you can attend then fail to participate and may be sanctioned in either case. There’s no legal requirement about the amount of time it takes to participate in an activity and since each event at any place across the country can be different you have to do as they say. That said, if your appointment is merely reduced to making a job search they have to stipulate a time for you to participate in that job search or you can use this lack of clarity to defend yourself against any charge of non-participation. You always have to show good reason not to participate. I have just sat through a two hour session listening to absolute tripe and goading them into to admitting to the Work Programme’s failings which they unwittingly fell for. In other words I participated. Your right, patronising clients is part of their tactics to set them off.
I’m a J.I.B Electrician holding a gold card and find providers’ patronising attitudes despicable. I make a point of exposing their obvious failings to do what this government would like us to believe is being done to help people get meaningful work as opposed to jumping through hoops for JSA. Good luck.
Charles Russell
November 14, 2012 at 12:05 pm
I admit ive done exactly the same as you at SEETEC, Romford, Essex and i have not had any sanctions at all. Im on my 5th Adviser also and am having to repeat myself over and over again about the same issues.
It seems rather strange to me that youve been sanctioned for raising your voice as it’s their word against yours, and that neutralizes that out.
I’d check the laws concerning sanctions as this seems dubious in the extreme and feels like victimization to me. I believe that there is nothing in the law that says they can stop your money for raising your voice and having an opinion.
Id be very interested to read the letter the DWP sent you regarding this.
Antony Webber
November 14, 2012 at 3:30 pm
the letter just states about myself being abusive and using threatening language at a daft cow called tania sheath who wrongly stopped my money, just because i would not co operate in her patronizing mundane absolute shambles, job search the bird in question as now left as i say i am no on my 5th adviser and still over 12 months down the line unemployed i have contacted independent case examiner but got nowhere i appealed about my money being stopped but was unsuccessful.
scotty
November 14, 2012 at 3:39 pm
I virtually called my adviser a total wanker the other day as he is, but managed to restrain myself to raising my voice at their utter stupidity and incompetence.
Some of the advisers who work there are complete c***s and should be sacked as many of them cannot write properly, use a computer, talk to people properly or even dress themselves properly.
All in all complete lowlife scum who need to be executed by a firing squad if all us angry, oppressed people stood up and started a riot and weren’t so chicken shit.
Antony Webber
November 14, 2012 at 3:49 pm
My favourite was at SEETEC Ipswich (they’re still here I think, somewhere).
They had printed out little notices warning how the computers could be “effected” if you brought food and drink next to them.
Andrew Coates
November 14, 2012 at 4:51 pm
hello Anthony webbber they gave me a 2 week sanction because i raised my voice regarding the staff in the manchester branch being patronizing and rude and as result of me speaking out i had my dole stopped. i would also add in the time i have been there i am on my 5th yes 5th asdvisor redoing stuff i did with the 1st advisor and the 2nd ect the place is a joke, i just rang up to say i am unwell witch is true i have flu not a cold, i was told they will inform jobcenter about my illness.
scotty
November 14, 2012 at 12:32 pm
Hello scotty i am at the manchester seetec aswell what a load of idiots they are i gave my advisor a letter withdrawing my consent for them to use or share my personal info id suggest anyone on the wp do it as they cannot make money out of you if or when you get a job
Ash
November 27, 2012 at 9:08 pm
i cause murders every time i go to the Manchester branch , i wouldn’t take shit from my own mam. so certainly will not take it from the jobsworth patronizing ***** at seetec Manchester. as i say though i have appealed and complained both through seetecs complaints procedure and through an ice and still got nowhere… i had a text off them today which i will be mentioning upon my next time there as i never gave the person in question my number.
scotty
November 14, 2012 at 3:56 pm
I do the same scotty i cant stand the place have you had your field trip to a bank yet to find out what you need to open a bank account and what the benefits of an account are i have it was that exciting i almost spontaneously combusted haha
Ash
November 27, 2012 at 9:12 pm
get an off shore bank account n get ur giro paid in there, sod paying tax on my benefits lol haha
super ted
November 27, 2012 at 9:20 pm
I have done the entry level 3 employability course also, and had to take a field trip with a few others of the group and pick up some leaflets as to the best bank account to open.
One of the group quite rightly pointed out that we get our miserly jobseekers allowance paid into it, so why do we need to know the best rates?
What our group did is pick some leaflets up from Santander then go to the pub for a couple of pints before heading back to craptec, Romford, who has performed very badly with getting only 2.5% of the unemployed back into full-time long term sustainable jobs.
Their performance is worse than not having the work programme at all.
Antony Webber
November 28, 2012 at 10:37 am
Same here Antony with the exception of 1 lad who told craptec he had an interview so would go bank after it but they was shut so because he went for the interview instead he has not been allowed back in “class” and has not been seen since
Ash
November 28, 2012 at 12:36 pm
It seems like the usual idiocy of these mickey mouse businesses. Is it any wonder that craptec, Romford, Essex is only managing 2.5% success rate in getting people into jobs.
As the announcement on BBC suggested, you would get a better result doing it yourself, than going there for any length of time.
Ive been going now nearly 18 months and am just counting the time down until i finish. The have been no hope at all, some employees are bullies, and treat people with contempt.
I look forward to the day there contract is withdrawn which may happen April 2013.
All the best and keep responding.
Antony Webber
November 28, 2012 at 1:14 pm
You aint wrong Antony I prob have more qualifications than my advisor who i have only dealt with once and that was because the “tutor” complained i was being racist for saying 12 whole english pounds when she asked me how much bus fare i was collecting lol they really will try and get you sanctioned for anything and yeah all the best to you aswell fella
Ash
November 28, 2012 at 5:13 pm
Of course I’m a bit long in the tooth now and can appreciate younger people and others losing the plot.
You see, it’s not because a man has one leg, one eye or indeed two brains that makes him unable to work. If a person has a healthy finger he/she can be trained to push a button; As to whether the business community would actually employ anybody with difficulties is another matter.
They are trying to get people back to work. That it’s not the work anyone would choose is inadmissible. They are by their own admission operating on tick. They are by their own admission failing wholesale but the show must go on.
Today, I will phone HM Courts and Tribunals Service to verify they received my last letter to them. The letter asks for a statement of reason – not to the decision – confirming a sanction made valid under the law but the judges admission of accepting evidence from the provider as valid. I will, in receipt of their reply, post the outcome. That is presuming I don’t need to apply for legal aid to take the matter to the upper tier of the chamber. Can you believe it?
Charles Russell
November 15, 2012 at 10:14 am
Are you aware there isn’t legal aid for welfare benefit cases anymore?
Antony Webber
November 15, 2012 at 11:02 am
Yes, of course. I just recently found that out when I went searching for general advice. Everyone kept asking, “Do you have legal representation?” I phoned the Law Society and they explained the current state of affairs to me. The general reply was that they, the powers that be, expect you to defend yourself. It’s the same old story with a new twist. It’s not so much my being sanctioned in law but having false evidence presented and accepted as valid by the Tribunal even when the persons bringing the evidence document the statement of facts to the contrary. My letter for a statement of reason has just been verified as having been received and is to be presented to a sitting judge today. Hurrah! I’ll post back whatever the outcome.
I remain as confused as ever until then.
Thank for the reply confirming the legal aid issue.
Charles Russell
November 15, 2012 at 11:39 am
Seetec are their for only one reason and one reason only – TO STOP YOUR BENEFITS – and they will do that any way they can.
my experiences with a seetec in an office in cambridgeshire is even if go sick for the 2hrs you will lose your benefit / have a sanction.and as for voluntary work, well it isn’t is it, how can voluntary mean compulsary? if you do not do or refuse to do this voluntary work you will have sanctions and you benefit stopped, holding this against the very vulnerable in this society is scandulous, where are all these jobs seetec seem to think are out there? there aint any!.
andy
November 15, 2012 at 11:12 am
I couldn’t agree more Andy. It seems every person in every SEETEC office is experiencing appalling treatment, total disrespect, and treatment not far removed from the treatment of vulnerable groups under the Nazis.
That’s what SEETEC is nothing more than a Nazi concentration camp.
Antony Webber
November 15, 2012 at 11:20 am
Anyone who gets sent to seetec will have there benifits held to ransom for any reason they feel fit and get away with it, i hear others who go there saying some of the advisors are nice, but i say they are paid to be nice, under all the niceities is getting your benefit stopped, and getting you in charity / volunteer work which does not pay anything which is demoralising for someone unemployed and makes them feel worthless.They get a bonus for you doing so called volunteer work and i think (don’t quote me ) the charity shop gets given money from the government for you being there.They band round the words ‘volunteer work’ as though its the norm, but charity / volunteer work is something you choose to do in your own time not something you are forced to do.
anyone want to comment ,
andy
November 15, 2012 at 12:16 pm
Andy you say” anyone want to comment”. Well I don’t think you’ll find anyone here that disagrees with you.!
“Voluntary” should mean just that – done of one’s own free will without force, coercion or threat.
Unfortunatley this is just one example of the Orwellian newspeak that pervades the Work Programme and the W2W industry. I laugh every time I hear the word “support”. A4greed have some good ones like “Improving Peoples’ Lives” HAHAHAHAHAH!
and “Doing good by doing well” – at least we stopped them calling themselves a “social purpose company”.
Gissajob
November 15, 2012 at 12:27 pm
I have read that seetec have no one to answer to, the dwp have given them total control of your life regarding work,work programs etc.They have obviously passed the buck to seetec and other organisations to dish out sanctions etc, as dwp do not want to look like the bad boys in this.When ever i go sign on its all smiles from the staff but thats just all a front, behind the smiles is a person who just wants you off benefits and they will do what they will to do it.To dwp and there places like seetec/a4e etc think us jobless are a burden on them, but its us who keep them in jobs!.Its all a game to them.
andy
November 16, 2012 at 12:46 pm
“help”, “support”, “opportunity”, “voluntary”… 🙂
Georgina Orwell
November 28, 2012 at 1:38 pm
don’t think so georgina.
andy jones
November 30, 2012 at 1:27 pm
Georgina Orwell:
“Sanctions”,”Cohersion”,”Falsehoods”,”Mandatory”,”SANCTIONS”,”SANCTIONS”,”SANCTIONS”
Obi Wan Kenobi
November 30, 2012 at 1:58 pm
seetec is a load of rubbish and a waste of time i live in essex and ive been trying to get a job for nearly ten years if its making money for them i d eat my own hat i wouldnt give em a penny and they do try to mislead you when you go in there they told me that i could go in there anytime and get my fares paid back yet only yesterday gave me a lame excuse for not giving it back seek leagal advice people i did
linda mclean
December 21, 2012 at 12:28 am
seetec all over is the same i was just sanctioned for not doing my job search on the 15 of november yet i did do it and i signed the rejister when i got there rather then look if i turned up they just reported i wasnt there and again the same they dont pay bus fares unless your there 2 hours also they stopped letting people have coffee over health and safety we get water now soon will be time to wear our ball and chains
darren
December 27, 2012 at 4:23 am
In the age of deceit speaking the truth is seen as revolutionary. George Orwell, 1984.
Antony Webber
December 28, 2012 at 6:05 pm
[…] is even evidence that some welfare to work companies are not even paying the fares for people to attend Work Programme appointments. This is despite it being a contractual requirement for them to cover all transport fares […]
The Great Bus Pass Rip Off: How Jobseekers Are Getting Shortchanged on Travel Expenses | the void
January 4, 2013 at 12:30 am
seetec is funded by the eu my bet is the torys pay the eu more money then the eu gives to fund work programmes here
darren
January 9, 2013 at 9:11 pm
seetec manchester is a load of bollocks, when i used to go into the office there i found that aslong as u did the job search ur sorted, but after 4months i moved to scotland in search of job prospects,(haven’t found any) but even though i’m away from them i cant escape they still expect me to do the same 10 job search a week, which up here is impossible, i’m lucky to see 10 new jobs every month, but even though i told my (4 advisors so far) this, not a blind bit o notice was taken, i’m supposed to send my jobsearch via email, i have never recieved any help, support or feedback from my current advisor, so now I’m not bothering anymore, WHAT A COMPLETE WASTE OF MY TIME!!!
Sam Snelson
January 25, 2013 at 3:38 am
As an adviser working at Seetec, I can clarify that fares are reimbursed on mandatory appointments (which can either be your mandatory 30 minute appointment or 2 hour job search, workshop etc) if you drop in, your adviser can refuse to reimburse your fares. I know there are also issues in some branches about fares for training etc that people have been put on. Hope I have helped cleared some info up.
Jane Doe
January 28, 2013 at 10:50 pm
Thanks Jane. Any Comments Re UJM The site often does nt function and some get sanctions ??
jon doe [no relation]
January 29, 2013 at 10:19 am
As an adviser would you continually ignore a persons request for a copy of their cv and ignore the fact they have withdrew consent for personal info to be shared and then phone the said persons previous employer thus breaching data protection act or is this just my adviser at manchester who like many others is about as much use as a chocolate fire guard.
Ash
January 29, 2013 at 11:01 am
Does the ‘S’ in seetec stand for snide
jondoe
January 29, 2013 at 11:40 am
jondoe
January 29, 2013 at 11:41 am
Think is stands for SANCTIONS as that is all they do I don’t know of 1 person that hasn’t been sanctioned because of them or gained long term employment and they all treat you as a piece of shit
Ash
January 29, 2013 at 2:05 pm
No S= SH-T
Library
June 26, 2014 at 12:25 pm
Since I voluntarily asked to join Seetec, I have endured the most unbelievable stress at their hands. The staff have now engaged a questionable and seemingly personal vendenta because I have consistently exposed their contract failures such as computers with outdated software, the inability to provide computers assigned to a printer (yes I am being serious) and so on. Most recently I have been refused stamps to post my job applications. I am also one of those being refused travel reimbursement unless they have asked me to attend the centre.
Michelle Edwards
February 22, 2013 at 4:01 pm
Sounds just like SEETEC.
Andrew Coates
February 22, 2013 at 4:11 pm
WHEN I LIVED IN DOWNHAM MARKET IN NORFOLK, THERE WAS A PROVIDER IN KING STREET IN KINGS LYNN..CIRCA 1987-1993 CALLED COMMUNITY RURAL AID PROJECTS. [C.R.A.P] IT WAS NOT TILL I POINTED THIS OUT TO THEM THAT THEY DROPPED THE WORD PROJECTS OFF THEIR TITLE. COULD THIS BE SEETEC IN ANOTHER GUISE?
London Expat
April 20, 2013 at 11:24 am
FAO London Expat
Mrs Thatcher believed in Self-reliance, Hard work, Initiative, Thrift and Enterprise – or S.H.I.T.E. for short!!!
Tobanem
April 20, 2013 at 12:50 pm
In 2003 I was sent to SEETEC on a job hunt course not unlike Jobclub that was. In 2010 I was sent to Reed In Partnership. They had just purchased or been given some ”old”d SEETEC computers. I did not know where the computers came from at the time. I was saving my personal details on a cd. I used the name – – – – – – CV. An on screen message came up. This file exists on drive do you wan’t to copy to disc. Turned out the unit I was using belonged to a PA at SEETEC. I wonder what would have happened if a unit had ended up in private or other commercial hands. I complained to the information commissioner and sent the evidence. Reed had too ”frag” the drives and were not happy. I thought I would get a sanction but did not. I was the parked and never went back to Reed.
Unhappy Participant
November 25, 2013 at 9:40 am
attended seetec cambridge today, , during my one to one with the lady manager (badge said manager) i let her know im a plumber,she then immediately telephoned a recruitment agency and asked if they had any cleaning jobs , ,,, reckon she was after a sanctioning bonus , little hitlers
jensen button
March 13, 2013 at 9:09 pm
Had a letter from SEETEC this morning. They want me to attend an appointment on the 27th of March. Usual stuff about benefit may be affected if I don’t attend. I am in the middle of a review right now but have not had a decision yet. So I phoned JCP and asked what it was about. They said they had no idea as they had not had the decision yet. Told me to phone SEETEC and ask. I called them and told them I am on ESA Support and do not have to attend. They got all grumpy and told me to forget it then. Because I attended a couple of sessions last year but then won my appeal and did not have to attend they have me on their records and it looks like they are ‘prospecting’ so to speak ahead of any reviews hoping some idiots attend even though they do not have to. These people are scum.
Dick Emery
March 21, 2013 at 1:53 pm
ALLEGEDLY I REPEAT ALLEGEDLY Maybe they are looking to generate sanctions as it’s coming to the end of the financial year and bonus time. Many years ago. I had just got married. We were claiming as a couple. We both got called in to SEETEC for a starter interview. They were not going to allow husband and wife to be together on the same programme and would be attending on different days. Eventually our doctor put us both on the sick with aggrivated stress. I kept all documentation and I got intouch with my MP and made sure that they did not collect their bonus etc. It turned out they had found previous documents for me from before we were married or had even met and had cut and pasted my signature. I was able to prove that I was else where at the time of their cut and paste. SEETEC Spelt BASTARDS
Anti Seetec Dissident
March 21, 2013 at 3:49 pm
“Following a briefing from Ed Miliband at Monday’s meeting of the parliamentary Labour party, they had been warned that anyone who stepped out of line would be sacked.”
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2013/mar/21/labour-abstention-workfare-bill-byrne?fb=native&commentpage=3
Annos
March 22, 2013 at 12:06 am
“Jobcentre was set targets for benefit sanctions”
http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2013/mar/21/jobcentre-set-targets-benefit-sanctions
Annos
March 22, 2013 at 12:49 am
I attend SEETEC. One time, I asked for my bus fare to be refunded for a mandatory appointment, they wouldn’t refund it. I always walk to my appointments but was feeling unwell that day. Excuse was, because I sign on that day as well and come into town anyway, they couldn’t refund me.
Seetec hostage
March 29, 2013 at 2:44 pm
I have been at seetec now for over 12 months have had many job offers but one of tickets has expired ask seetec could they help fund it so i could go back to work.
they dragged there feet past it on to other managers, till the job offers had been filled 3 months to tell me they won’t help after agreeing to help i paid for a medical and drug and alcohol screening on the strength that they would pay for my PTS course now refusing to reimbursed me the money i paid out …
seetec keep you from getting work the more on the books the more money and powerful they become..
BASTARDS
edward
April 20, 2013 at 10:21 am
Edward, I have never heard anything good about SEETEC.
Papworth are not too bad though, though there can be problems there as well.
Andrew Coates
April 20, 2013 at 11:06 am
Well they are still sending me letters. Even though I am on ESA Support for another 18 months. The first letter I got was while my claim was still being re-assesed. I phoned them up and told them I do not have to attend and they said ‘forget it then’. They send a second letter with an appointment time immediately after my claim decision came in saying I was now on ESA Support for the next 18 months. I ignored it and never attended their appointment. I spoke to the DWP to make sure I did not have to attend and would not get a sanction for it. They said I would not. Now I have had a third letter saying they want my CV (even though I never attended). This time the letter did not have a SEETEC header but just DWP and JCP header. Like that will impress me or scare me into doing their bidding. It’s almost like they are pretending that I am attending so they can get their money from the government. I shall be phoning the DWP tomorrow and discussing this as it sounds like they are trying to fraudulently claim that I am attending when I am not and do not have to do so.
Dick
May 27, 2013 at 5:02 pm
my provider sends me letters now and then demanding i do this and that ect i just bin them now.
last 2 was black and white so must be low on cash for no colour ink haha
not been since 2011 and they had there 400 bar for my place so when my 2 year stint is up lets see what the dwp do about it.
super ted
May 27, 2013 at 7:48 pm
Seetec based in stratford London, is a joke really! A lot of their staff including management lack professionalism especially their receptionists! Anyway, with regards to travel reimbursement when it comes to interviews they will usually pay for your travel fares with no problem. Unless you get the off difficult staff member who wants to be stingy! However, what I am not happy about is when you do get full time work they are very quick to act as though there is limited funding. I was first told it is one month travel they will offer you, then it was one week and then after more questioning by me I was told it was up to two weeks, but it’s paid weekly!
Natasha
June 8, 2013 at 5:07 am
I revoked my consent (in writing) for seetec to share my personal info then I get a voicemail today saying they have sent my C.V off oh dear seetec you have just breached data protection act
Splint
June 21, 2013 at 12:37 pm
They may claim this does not violate the data protection act due to it being part of the work programme. But you can have a go. I am still receiving letters with appointments etc even though I told them I do not have to attend and also asked DWP to look into it. I reckon they are trying to claim money from the government as if I am attending when I am not. I’m still considering whether to pester my MP with this fact.
Dick
June 21, 2013 at 12:42 pm
Seems like all seetec seem to do is make peoples anxiety even worse.
daniel kane
August 29, 2013 at 12:54 pm
Click to access wp-pg-chapter-3a-22-october-2012.pdf
Splint
August 29, 2013 at 12:58 pm
That’s nothing new I’ve had nothing but total daily stress off manchester branch.
daniel kane
August 29, 2013 at 1:00 pm
Seetec Manchester don’t seem to care for the guidlines that they are supposed to follow I turned up last week for an “appointment” with my advisor to be told she was off ill and that I would have to do jobsearch (which I do everyday at home) and if I did not do it I would be put down as not attending even though I pointed out that I have not been mandated to do a jobsearch I can’t wait to see my advisor on friday she is getting put right in her place
Splint
August 29, 2013 at 1:05 pm
They will make any excuse up to give you a sanction or to lead you into a false sense of security.
daniel kane
August 29, 2013 at 1:09 pm
Most of the time they think they are fucking gods, trying to mess with peoples lives any way they please. 😦
danny kane
August 30, 2013 at 1:56 pm
the company is a waste of bricks, its really really shit im sick to death with seetec and the JCP its a joke send all the ppl that can’t speak English back to where ever the hell they came from that includes the ppl in the houses of parliament this county needs to be run by the queen again not but a joke in 10 downing street
Miffed off customer
November 25, 2013 at 12:25 am
I have a dissability and i was told to do ceetec yes im doing it but 2 hours on a bloomin computer is way too long for me im the type tht likes to physicly do stuff and anyway i can do tht plus more at home anyway my mum drives me from where i live to ceetec its a fair distance but they wont repay the money cos its too far apparently and if i dont have petrol money i cant get there they stop my money and now i dred going to it now cos im worried they gonna make something up bout me just to stop money i know paranoid lol tryna find out how long ppl are normally with them as i dont wonna do it for much longer
jason
October 23, 2013 at 12:41 am
lol your there for 2 years, seetec is a joke your ment to be there for a 2 hour job seach not 4 hours is it me or are the trying to make me angry to take more money away from me?, I suffer from depression and there place in Bedford does not help me in the smallest fashion im sick of this company and all that work there I hope it gets closed so I can wizz on the ashes of that crappy company coz that’s all it is a JOKE
Miffed off customer
November 25, 2013 at 12:20 am
You do know health and safety states you can only spend 55 minutes at a computer screen then you have to take a break
splint
January 18, 2014 at 1:29 pm
by*
Miffed off customer
November 25, 2013 at 12:25 am
aaa
Norwich Jobseeker
January 18, 2014 at 1:23 pm
Let’s look at the facts. Seetec are a company out to make money from jobseekers, they work with the JSA (Sharing details of people who have generally been out of work for one year or more.
Once referred from the JSA, you get asked along to an induction (They will call you and write to you confirming this). Note you will get paid the lowest fare possible. The 1 hour appointment covers them asking you questions and getting all your info on file with regard to work history to date of birth and how much you owe on your mortgage! They want to see your cv (digial copy) though don’t they have enough info on you?
THE DWP (Department of work and pension) then pays them a initial fee (A few hundred pounds) up to £600 depending on location etc.
They look to see which areas you need work on…confidence, IT etc. If you are okay in these areas they will then get you into their pikey office for 3-5 hours everyday for 2 weeks whilst you use their computers for a job search.
Should you miss any appointments/late or do not comply with anything they say YOU will get your money stopped from the JSA.
My experience is that they do want you to get a job (so they have a 2500-5000 bonus)…if you last more than 6 months.
The staff employed (In Norwich they are circa 15) are largely made up of women though all seem very unqualified them selves!
I will regularly update on here any experiences I see, hear, experience etc.
Norwich Jobseeker
January 18, 2014 at 1:32 pm
Just do not sign anything and if you have then withdraw consent!
Ed
January 18, 2014 at 1:40 pm
Norwich Jobseeker:
You are correct in what you said regarding the fact that Private Providers wanted you to get a job when they first started back in 2011.
Since then though they have realised that the referral fee from each person referred to them via the Jobcntre is enough to make £ millions out of – current referral fee’s:
A person on JSA £400 – A person on ESA £600 – All these referral fee’s stop in April 2014 – what do think is going to happen then? – think logically.
Obi Wan Kenobi
January 18, 2014 at 2:19 pm
I’m not very good at that (brain fog from anxiety and depression does not help). Can you give us your opinion on what will happen?
Dick
January 19, 2014 at 12:27 pm
Yes, please do tell, Obi! Can’t think logically anymore!
Mrs Spock
January 19, 2014 at 12:40 pm
Reply To OBI For Norwich Job Seeker.
No Money WPP,s Go Phutt. JCP on our backs even more. Longer and Deeper sanctions if we can’t find work
philip
January 30, 2014 at 8:24 am
[…] Work Programme prime Seetec refuses travel expenses. […]
Work Programme prime Seetec refuses travel expenses « this 'n that
January 19, 2014 at 1:02 pm
I work at Seetec, yes really. I stumbled across this today. I would like to point out that our Centre (located in Essex) never refuse a reimbursement to someone who has travelled for an appointment or course. We even pay people for their travel to and from their new employment if they have found the job whilst being one of our clients. Vouchers are given out for interview and work clothes, and uniforms are even available to anyone going into work that need high vis jackets, work boots, overalls, the lot. It is only fair to pay this out as we are funded by The European Union Social Fund. The only time a reinbursement is refused is if you’ve only come into the centre off your own accord (to jobsearch or use our facilities). Regarding sanctions, we do not actually control them. We have to notify the Job Centre, and THEY are the ones to investigate. They will send a letter and if your reason of missing an appointment is not good enough, then they will be the ones to stop your money. As an adviser at Seetec, we can help list sanctions if the Job Centre have deemed a reason not worthy but we do. We don’t want you to be sanctioned at all, we want you to attend, and have the funds to do so. This is because the more people we get jobs for, the more rewards we have. We have no benefits from anyone being sanctioned, and therefore it is something we do not want to happen. I’m not saying Seetec and other training providers don’t make mistakes, whether that means overlooking something our our server messing up casefiles. We’re only human and it certainly is not intentional. Most people that work for Seetec, especially in my office, are keen to help their clients, and most are lovely people. I know I can’t speak for all employees but I asure you, it is in our best interests to find you work, and nothing else.
Liane
January 29, 2014 at 3:21 pm
Hi. I have just recently started the work programme (am on JSA) Met my adviser last week who asked me some questions, and he put the answers on the computer, even asked what work my Parents do (I live with them) but I wouldn’t reveal much information on that, just said they worked, but not what hours etc. This week I’ve had two job search appointments (just one day inbetween) not much can change in that short space of time. My adviser said you can do your job search at home and just bring in the proof, sign it off, then you can go (took all of 10 minutes) So I’ve had a 17 mile trip each way, just to hand in the job log sheets, then go again! Wouldn’t be so bad weekly or fortnightly, but to go in like that with just one day inbetween is hardly a good resource of time! Anyway, I’ve gone in armed with quite a few jobs written down and copies of job spec letters I’ve sent (yes surprise surprise, I already know how to do these, and haven’t done the gateway thing yet!) My adviser didn’t even read the letters! Am waiting for a date for the 2 week gateway (can’t wait!) but I live in hope that I will be rescued by a job, as have a few things in the pipeline (or win the Lottery!) My Job Centre told me that I should only be required to go to Seetec for monthly reviews with my adviser or fortnightly at the most, as I am proactive in my job search. I rest my case!
Kitty79
April 15, 2014 at 11:17 pm
Does your adviser have homosexual thoughts? Do they jerk off in the shower? What work your parents do is none of the work programme providers fucking business!
Will Smith (Enemy of the State)
April 15, 2014 at 11:25 pm
I know it isn’t! God, they are total morons! I’m going to grill him with lots of questions when I go today!
Kitty79
April 15, 2014 at 11:34 pm
get the bus and make them pay the fair they will soon leave you alone as it eats in to there ref fee.
if its not on your signing day then they have to pay for travel jcp as well.
come end of april if i get the 3 choices ill pick jcp ever day signing as it will cost them 45 quid a week and if every one does that the jcp r fucked 🙂
super ted
April 15, 2014 at 11:25 pm
Train is the only public transport I can get to my Seetec office (no bus service out here in the sticks!) I said to my adviser, I could email you my job search…….he said ‘you could, but we’ve had people say that and we never see them again!’ (I wonder why that is!) I said, it’s costing extra expenses……he just kind of shrugged his shoulders!
Kitty79
April 15, 2014 at 11:32 pm
that must cost a fkn fortune if using the train no wonder he shrugs his shoulders lol
under the contract with dwp they have to pay for the cheapest means of travel to the provider if its not on ur signing day so keep the tickets and report them to the jcp for not refunding your travel expenses and ask them to refund you or get it from the provider as you said its a waste of time going anyway 2 days apart and put in a complaint in righting as well.
super ted
April 15, 2014 at 11:46 pm
Lol well if I was going in everyday for a week, it could be around £36.00 in total……..so be £72 for the 2 week Gateway! Maybe they will think I’m costing then too much, so ask me to go in less often! And for the job search sessions (which I do at home) and then hand in the logs, the travel time could be spent by me doing job search at home!
Kitty79
April 16, 2014 at 12:14 am
Well…..of I went again to Seetec today, for a job search session, which as I do everything at home, just consists of having a random chat about anything and showing my job logs, which they don’t even keep for their records, as they put something onto the computer. So there is me printing off any letters, applications etc that I can and they don’t even keep them or take copies!
Now……..I am actually starting to find my advisor a little creepy……….today whilst talking to me, he looked like he was really studying my face (did I have a big spot on my face or something!) how intimidating did that feel! He then went on to make some random comment about my earrings (which are perfectly normal and not outrageous in any way!) and then continued to study my face! This felt very intimidating
Once again, I questioned why I had to attend two of these sessions just to hand in my job search, with only one day inbetween – ‘it’s so we can help you with anything and keep an eye on things’. And this is costing them nearly £8 for my travel expenses, each time I go to them! I am down for two days of the same next week as well, but on one of the days I also have to see someone to talk about CV’s. My advisor asked me today, do you already have a CV (yes I do and you aren’t having it to keep matey!) What does he think I’ve been doing all this time when I’ve been applying for jobs??! Anyway, he gave me the appointment times for next week………I looked at them and noticed that on the day I have the CV meeting for 4pm, he had me down to see him at 10am…….err…….hello……how does that make sense! So I pointed that out and he was like ‘oh yeah, I’ll just change that to 3pm instead’. Bearing in mind, that only a few minutes before, he had asked me when my CV meeting was! Heeeeelllllppppp!!!!
With the CV meeting, I know I will probably be shown different ways to set out a CV etc, but I really do not want them to have my information, so could I do a ‘dummy’ one?
He also printed off a job for me…….now I believe they can’t make you apply for jobs that are unsuitable for you, so I am going to email him and explain politely why it is not suitable. But he was going to have me log onto one of their computers, forward my CV to him (as he said I should have it saved in my sent emails – how does he know what I do and don’t have saved!) I said, no I only have it saved on my computer at home…….I had to think quickly there, because I could have fallen into a trap and it would have meant that he would them have a copy of my CV, which they are not entitled to have. So he just said fine, send if when you get home, which I am not going to do anyway, as the job is not suitable and I can’t get to where it is. But I actually found that particular job through the agency it is with, so if I had been going to apply for it, I would have done it that way.
I am going to my Job Centre next week for my signing day, should I tell them all of this, to see what they say? It probably won’t help in any way, but I can only try. I was also under the impression from the Job Centre, that I should only need to attend Seetec fortnightly or monthly (once a week at the most) as they have always been pleased with my job search and they said that attendance varies from person to person.
Sorry for the essay, but need to talk about this with someone 🙂
Kitty79
April 16, 2014 at 3:01 pm
The only way to deal with this is via a paper trail. You should write a letter to the DWP, The Job Center adviser you regularly see and Seetec. Make sure you let them know in the letter you have sent a copy to each party. Don’t be rude. Don’t make comments about how the staff look creepy etc. Explain the situation in simple terms and how you find it unreasonable. Explain why. By doing so you will have three parties ‘in the loop’ rather than one that can fob you off with an excuse. This is how I treated the situation when I was on it for a short while. Granted I was on the ESA work activity group at the time. But by doing this and explaining how it affected my health I was placed back into the support group. Seetec still pester me with letters and phone calls but I don’t take the bait. They cannot do anything so I ignore them and I have made damned sure the DWP know that Seetec keep contacting me even though I am not required to attend. If they want to play mind games then make them work for it!
Dick
April 16, 2014 at 4:15 pm
I would by no means be rude or make any comments about the staff. I just wondered if I am in my right to say something, or would I be seen as someone making a mountain out of a molehill! I am claiming JSA, so don’t know how I stand in this situation.
Also, does anyone know if there are standard hours per day for the 2 week Gateway? I haven’t yet been given a date for this (it’s coming apparently) But I have heard different things from different people, the most common being that they start at 10am and do 3 hours a day, but when I asked my advisor he said all day every day (or until 4pm anyway)
Kitty79
April 16, 2014 at 4:37 pm
RE: The Job Centre Advisor……..I had a regular advisor, but now I’ve been shunted over to Seetec, I was told that I would not be having anymore reviews with her now, so when I go there to sign, I’ll just have to see who there is available to talk to.
Kitty79
April 16, 2014 at 5:21 pm
Hi Peeps.
Went to Seetec today for a job search session, or rather just to hand in my job search proof, which apparently is perfect, but have to go again on Friday morning just for the same thing………but I guess they did refund my travel expenses back without any fuss, so that is something (£7.20) a time for them. Although travelling there and back, takes a big chunk of time out of the day, that I could be making use of at home to continue my job search.
Am due to start the 2 week Gateway next week, my letter saying the sessions would be 10am-4.30pm every day, which after I have queried why I would need to be there all day, they have said I can attend the mornings for job search, which again they said I can do at home and bring in the proof. Once again, that just proves to me, that the whole thing is pointless in the first place.
My main concern is regarding CV’s. Are they entitled to get your CV details from you? I know they ask, and I’ve had all sorts of questions from them, trying to worm it out of me, but I do not want them to have those details on their system, for the fear of them sending it off for jobs behind my back, or passing on my details to other parties (and it does happen) As I have already refused to let them have these details, they have said they will have to book me another appointment for my CV, which they are not having. I told them I have a CV I am using to apply for jobs and it was actually done by a professional. So I asked them to show me some CV layouts and templates, but still they want my CV. Any advice around this guys? I’ve had a headache all day, which for me is unusual, and they normally ease off with tablets, but this has been lingering all day, so I know it is down to stress from them.
Kitty79
April 23, 2014 at 8:39 pm
they might ask to see a cv but they have no right to keep it on record or pass it on to any one else with out your permission.
just take a photo of it on ur phone and show them that when they ask to see it got the jcp adviser to shut up about it till i got reset and sent back to the start with a new adviser.
super ted
April 23, 2014 at 10:05 pm
Hi there. A picture on my phone would be quite small though (or is that the idea, so they can’t see it properly?!) Or I could take a picture of it and print it out (still wouldn’t see much!)
While I was waiting to be seen, I could over hear another client with the CV adviser and it looked and sounded like they didn’t have a CV, as they were giving the adviser information and he was typing it up as they went along! (that is just spoon feeding them your information right into their hands!) Which marks another point of privacy, all the computers are in a public area, so others can hear what is being said. JCP don’t actually have my CV and I’ve never had any problem with them asking me for it, but Seetec are real pests.
Also, any advice on when you use their computers? Would it be advisable not to log into my email account on their computers? I just do not trust them, in case they track things and find out information.
Kitty79
April 23, 2014 at 10:37 pm
As you no doubt realise the CV writing is just an under-handed trick to extract personal information, even more information than in contained on the jobcentre system. They never seem to give up it though, which is very telling, even if you demonstrate that you can produce a CV every time you go in they will start typing up a CV. Then they will type up lies and then turn around ans accuse you of lying on your CV – but its not a CV, it’s just the ‘adviser’ – not you – typing up a lot of crap onto a screen. We could all play that game:
“CV Kitty79 I am a fully qualified astronaut who has worked for NASA for the past 20 years. I have flown 20 Space Shuttle missions”. See what I have just done there, you have lied on YOUR CV, Kitty79. Personally, I was told that they were raising a “doubt” because I couldn’t “remember”/refused to furnish them with the details of my primary education…. and that’s the last I heard of the ‘work programme’ – no “doubt” was ever raised. It is YOUR personal information, Kitty79 and these ‘providers’ have no right whatsoever to it!
DK
April 23, 2014 at 11:35 pm
And also remember that all information/CVs are shared with the jobcentre. So, if you put some job the jobcentre didn’t know about on your CV you would get into a lot of trouble. When attending the ‘work programme’ imagine you are in a jobcentre and never say or do anything you wouldn’t say in the jobcentre.
Incidentally, the ‘work programme’ have a ‘dump’ of your data from the ‘jobcentre’ including all the ‘conversations’ from as far back as your claim goes.
DK
April 23, 2014 at 11:42 pm
Your last paragraph has just answered an awkward question I was going too ask my wpp in the morning. I have been going by the old adage the need too know. Neither the wpp or jcp will the same out of me. Only what I want them too know.
Library
June 26, 2014 at 12:18 pm
What do the wpp do with the information they have on you once you leave the wpp.?. Can you demand copies of the files with nothing omitted etc. Can you see the fike for yourself on demand
Philip
August 14, 2014 at 7:32 am
You have to draw the line somewhere kitty79 because the more personal information you give the more they ask – plus you can never erase it from their systems. Working Links give their victims a multi-page questionnaire with lots of personal and intrusive questions accompanied by the usual threats of if you don’t fill it in you will be reported to the jobcentre for a sanction for ‘not engaging’ with the programme.
DK
April 23, 2014 at 11:46 pm
you could just give them a copy of ur cv and blank out all the bits u dont want them to see like all of it bar name and addr or take a photo or screen shot and blank out what you dont want them to see either way they have no right to keep a copy of ur cv on record same with the dwp jcp.
all the providers computers are remote managed so every web site you click on they see and record including email and passwords so id not even use them at all.
super ted
April 23, 2014 at 11:15 pm
Yes, they can view everything on your screen as if the were sat next to you as well as taking over control of the keyboard and mouse if they want to.
DK
April 23, 2014 at 11:48 pm
As well as everything you type (passwords etc.) being key-logged. ‘work programme’ computers are not trusted computers!
DK
April 23, 2014 at 11:49 pm
I like your thinking! They already have my name and address (they had that in the first place, from when the Job Centre referred me to them) But giving them a CV with everything blanked out, would perhaps tell them ‘where to go’ so to speak.
So their computers are basically ‘bugged’ I’ll definitely be doing my job search at home and printing everything off at home (just job application received messages – no details of where I’ve applied etc) My Seetec adviser actually said himself, that I can do that. I did think about saving the printing out until I got to Seetec (so as not to keep using my printer’s ink) but that would mean logging into my email account on their computers, so I won’t be doing that. The most I will do, if I have to sit at their computer for a while, will be just to browse Indeed or something, but not actually apply from their computer (will have already done that anyway) It would seem you need eyes in the back of your head with these people!
I may have a telephone interview for a job tomorrow, so am keeping everything crossed – how I would love to not have to attend their sessions, and of course I would NOT be telling them where the job is, should I get it! They won’t like it, but once you have signed off there is nothing they can do.
Kitty79
April 23, 2014 at 11:52 pm
Good luck with the telephone interview! Hope you get shot of them soon 🙂
DK
April 24, 2014 at 12:01 am
Thank you DK 🙂 And how did this possible job come about?…….from the help from Seetec?? I think not……….it’s because I’ve been working hard with my job search all along, but just not having much luck because of so many people going for the same job etc, and have been close to an interview a few times, then to be told the job has been filled internally………all situations that are out of anyone’s control!
Kitty79
April 24, 2014 at 12:29 am
Thanks for the ‘heads up’ guys! 😉 How bad are these people!
Kitty79
April 23, 2014 at 11:54 pm
Funnily enough one bit of info the jobcentre don’t give them is your date of birth.
DK
April 23, 2014 at 11:59 pm
At least they didn’t used to, might be something to do with Data Protection 🙂
DK
April 24, 2014 at 12:00 am
Ah yes, they don’t do they, because Seetec ask for that at the first appointment……… And because I have done the job search to their liking, they have nothing to pick on with that, so they have to find something else instead!
Kitty79
April 24, 2014 at 12:04 am
It’s enough that they have my address and phone number……..forwarded from the Job Centre. I actually took my CV off the Universal Job Match site, in case it found it’s way to Seetec somehow.
Kitty79
April 24, 2014 at 12:06 am
ask them to put in righting what help you are receiving and what training you are doing to better yourself and add to ur cv and if its value for tax payer money.
then go to the bog and flush all the bog roll down the drain and charge um 1 quid for every print out that they demand
super ted
April 24, 2014 at 12:14 am
Hey Peeps. I am coming to the end of the 2 week Gateway course, which has been a complete waste of time (nothing new there) I have been told and shown things I have known for years and today this was proven again, as my advisor said she didn’t think I need to attend the group sessions, so I got parked on a computer to get on with things myself. I do all my job search at home and am very careful about what I do on Seetec’s computers, as I am concerned about security issues and that they may track what I have done, so I don’t log into anything with my details and passwords. I thought after the Gateway finished, I may be attending weekly for a review with my advisor, but today I received a letter, saying I have to attend every Monday and Friday 9.30am-4.30pm for 4 weeks for job search sessions, workshops, interview skills and techniques (we’ve already been doing that) and on-line training??? – what on earth is that all about??! On top of that, I am still being harassed to give my CV, despite me putting in writing that I do not give my consent for them to have his……..and I have today been booked another appointment to see the CV person and to take my current CV. Has anyone else been through these motions and if so, what have they done to overcome them? I will continue to refuse to give them my CV, but know I will be considered as ‘odd’, because all the other people in my group have given their CV’s and are allowing it to be sent off for jobs. Why do I seem to be the only one concerned about this? Is it at all possible, that me not giving them my CV, may eventually lead to them reducing my attendance to reviews only? For they only want your details so they can claim they got you into work and then make money. If they do not have my CV, surely there isn’t much they will be able to do with me? Plus they are hindering my job search and my availability to go and see agencies I am with, for possible job leads. Help! 😥
Kitty79
May 7, 2014 at 9:14 pm
Kitty as I am sure you realise by now, these fuckers are complete and utter scum. They are thoroughly ruthless and without conscience; if they had the power they would leave you destitute without a second thought. They are pure evil 👿 The last thing you want them to do is make money of off you; they would sell you down the river for a quick £buck£
Refusenik
May 8, 2014 at 6:41 am
some of the comments on here made me laugh actually, some of you guys suffer from serious paranoia!!! I work for seetec in the northwest of England. seetec do not want your passwords, believe me we don’t have time to go and read all your private shit, we have 400 people coming through the door every day to deal with and try and get all the box ticking shit done to the impossible deadlines given by people in their ivory Essex tower where the head office is. we want your cv to help you get a job, its that simple. some of us work day and night to try and help people get a good job, not a shit one. we dont want you in a shit job because you will be back in front of us within 3 weeks and then we have to start over. if you dont give in your cv some advisors might claim you are not available for work or are ruining your chances. advisors dont get paid an extra penny for achieving their targets so it makes no difference to us at the end of the day. some of us really want to help but our hands are tired and there aren’t enough hours in the day, no matter how much we complain….and believe me we do. of course there are some staff that are rude and dont give a toss and want punching in the face…. but that’s the same as anywhere. my advice, just be as nice as you can and switch your brain off for an hour when you come for jobsearch.
not the enemy
May 8, 2014 at 8:56 pm
We are just protecting our own information, as it could end up anywhere or in anyone’s hands. Call us over cautious, but everyone has a right for privacy. ‘Switch brain off for an hour’………fall asleep in that case, as tend to find the computers very slow and can’t get on a lot of the sites I use for job searching, so end up achieving far more in my own time.
‘If you don’t give in your cv some advisors might claim you are not available for work or are ruining your chances’. If one is proactively job searching and providing evidence to back this up, that surely proves you are available for work.
Peace out…….
Kitty79
May 8, 2014 at 9:24 pm
i got no cv nor do i have anything to put on one except years of 3rd party job searching on shit slow computers at the providers offices where no training is available or provide any recognised certificates.for anything.
you cant polish a turd if no turd is available i got no cv because of the jcp and these so called providers that provide nothing bar filling there pockets with tax payers money
super ted
May 8, 2014 at 9:59 pm
anyone that’s ever asked me for help with a cv has got that help, I know some people are lazy and wont lift a finger or are too busy but its a pretty basic need. I think if I was a customer there id be making the staff work for their money, not sitting back and let them get away with doing nothing for me. I dont get why you’ve been through years of providers and nothing to put on a cv….college and voluntary work is free and you dont need anyone to send you, you can just walk right in there and sign up. kitty youd think that wouldn’t you….that it would be proof enough but knowing how it works id hate to say you were right as id probably be lying. ive seen it all and nothing surprises me any more. yeah the computers are shit, we all know it but big bosses aren’t interested. some of us are literally trying the best we can to help people but its like fighting fire with a water pistol sometimes.
not the enemy
May 8, 2014 at 10:17 pm
ive drawn pics on paper and filled in plenty of colouring in books listen to ppl talking utter crap for hours on end walks around town and group hugs is no good on a cv at all.
might as well been to prison for murder the amount of help i have received ie fuck all cos there is none there.
i could of paid to do a full time course b4 the fees went up ut was told its full time more than 16 hrs a week so forget it.
super ted
May 8, 2014 at 11:02 pm
can someone answer this for me please, if i work 10 hours do i still have to attend seetec?
nicole watson
June 6, 2014 at 2:41 pm
Yes. You are expected to take ”Required Steps” in securing full time work. ie 40 hours+
Library
June 26, 2014 at 12:14 pm
I’m not too sure on that one Nicole…………I know you can work up to 15 hours a week and still be entitled to some kind of benefits I think (well you used to be) But whether you still need to attend Seetec, I’m not sure………..I would have thought your Job Centre should be able to advise you of this and what you need to do.
Kitty79
June 26, 2014 at 10:54 am
………..unless of course you had signed off, if you didn’t need the support of benefits 🙂
Kitty79
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