Work Programme providers begin the chase
Ipswich Unemployed Action can reveal that both Papworth Trust and Seetec are starting to chase up ex-clients in order to claim substantial outcome payments on the Work Programme.
This might seem logically fair enough considering the payment model of the Work Programme, however, word has reached us, that these activities are becoming harassment, and many of those being chased and harassed never even attended the Work Programme.
One person in particular, who signed off shortly after being referred to one provider right at the beginning of the Work Programme, before the initial interview and without signing any forms, is receiving up to 2 letters per week and up to 7 phone calls per week whilst the provider tries to dig for information to claim a rather healthy and substantial outcome payment.
This has been ongoing for a few months this year, and even resulted in the provider attempting to contact relatives and friends to find out employment details of this person, in order to attempt to claim money from the taxpayer – money in this case that the provider isn’t entitled to considering the person never started the Work Programme.
The fact of the matter is, the Data Protection Act doesn’t allow data to be stored for longer than it is necessary, so 2 years since the initial referral when not claiming Jobseekers Allowance in that time is unlawful, the data should have been destroyed along time ago. The digging for information through relatives is an invasion of privacy.
Have you been receiving the same unsolicited correspondence? Or know someone who has? Let us know.
Ipswich Unemployed Action. 
The scum bags wiil do anything to get a job outcome payment even sell there own mothers down the river make me sick they do
wayne
May 19, 2013 at 11:46 am
Perhaps what people got start doing is follow home these providers and then bombardment them with unwanted junk mail post there addresses in a sex column then may be they get the message that ain’t very nice to hound somebody I say treat people how you want be treated and if is good for providers to hound us we should do same to them
wayne
May 19, 2013 at 11:53 am
Or you could just go to the nearest police station with the harrasment letters the Private Provider has sent you, then get the police to go with you to their premises and see the manager.
I don’t think they will bother you after that.
Obi Wan Kenobi
May 19, 2013 at 2:52 pm
Once I Do Get A Job I’ll Tell The Jobcentre I WILL NOT inform the private provider. They cannot do anything to you once you have signed off
Philip
May 20, 2013 at 8:00 am
Well Said Wayne, this is fraud, pure and simple, if you have any information of this happening please contact your local police station they are legally obliged to investigate. David
David Penson
June 8, 2018 at 11:38 am
This is exactly what I predicted would happen, not content with breaking the terms of their contract with the Department of Work and Pensions by sending youngsters to companies in the Berkshire area on Zero hour contracts ,Maximus here in Bracknell are also breaking the Mental health act by sending individuals with Autism and other mental health issues to contract cleaning companies in the area ,using chemicals and machinery unsupervised for The contract cleaning company Mitie in particular.
I would be grateful if others could contact me if they have come across similar practices as I intend to bring Legal action on behalf of those concerned
financed by a friend of mine.
I can be contacted on 07949 353631. David Penson Bracknell. Berkshire
Mr David Anthony Penson
May 19, 2013 at 2:08 pm
There total scum bags!
george
June 2, 2013 at 9:02 pm
“All in it Together: How Government Is Handing Ownership of our Schools and Hospitals to Banks”
http://scriptonitedaily.wordpress.com/2013/05/14/all-in-it-together-how-government-is-handing-ownership-of-our-schools-and-hospitals-to-banks/
Annos
May 19, 2013 at 3:05 pm
the work programme has been a constant source of controversy.since turning point turned their back for financial reasons,A4e dont want to know. after being referred back and letters’ sent saying they would be in touch,they haven’t.interestingly the turning point employee was always mentioning that “you’ll get no support from A4e” this appears to be true.
other suggestions is that they are not able to deal with health problems/disabilities as they are not trained,people who are hardest to help look to be written off.the problem these companies face is that they rely on pressuring people,this could well be the reason as there may well be ramifications under the equality act if things take a bad turn.
many will be finishing the two years in the coming months after being the first to be sent on this episode.
ken
May 19, 2013 at 3:12 pm
If any Work Programme ‘provider’ continues to harass someone in order to get their grubby little paws on public money for a ‘job outcome’ they didn’t even help to achieve, the person on the receiving end of it should send them a Cease and Desist notice threatening legal action if they do not stop.
A4e Are Thieves
May 19, 2013 at 4:42 pm
Hi , this sounds good, do have a link to a pre formatted letter i can get ready to send mine as my sentence finishes October.
george
June 24, 2013 at 1:47 pm
If they try that to me well lets just say my solicitor will be receiving All the documents and then we will be visiting the police. This is stalking and harassment
Eric Greenwood
May 19, 2013 at 10:15 pm
Two points,
1. It is stated above “The fact of the matter is, the Data Protection Act doesn’t allow data to be stored for longer than it is necessary, so 2 years since the initial referral when not claiming Jobseekers Allowance in that time is unlawful,”
Unfortunately the ESF requires the pimp to keep records for a long period (10 years I think). So as leeches on the ESF it is “necessary” for them to keep your info and the DPA argument won’t work.
2. If you feel that you are being harassed – then you ARE being harassed. Send a “cease and desist” letter, state that any further uninvited contact by whatever method will result in a complaint being made to the police. If this doesn’t stop them then complain to the police -with your evidence.
Gissajob
May 20, 2013 at 9:06 am
What is this ‘ESF’ and is it law? Because the DPA is law, and law trumps any contractual requirements or regulation every time.
Levinas
July 27, 2013 at 11:29 am
they send me letters now and then mandating me to go but i just bin them and not gone to my provider since 2011 and still sign on and fill in my job search every 2 weeks.
super ted
May 20, 2013 at 11:02 am
My provider is leaving me 10 quid out of pocket this week.
Sent me on a CV writing course that i do not need, it’s 3 days not one day, no discussion, a letter ordering me to go or else! Sanction doubt, in other words!
2 buses to get there and 2 to get back home. They wont reimburse me in full, they will only reimburse half the fares because i haven’t got an oyster card for the unemployed.
Do I just take my punishment like a man and get one bus halfway then walk a couple of miles each way. I still lose out.
I do not have to have a half price oyster, therefore I cannot expect to be reimbursed.
The MAN letter said attend today. It didn’t say it was a three day course that would leave me out of pocket. I called my adviser from the college. Yet another psychopathic one!
None of you are surprised by that? Lol. I got her to enter things into the notes that would go in my favour should i take the sanction doubt. The DM might come down on my side.
Got a doubt that didn’t go anywhere back in Feb. So they don’t always sanction you!
Tempted to tell them to stuff it and take my chances with the doubt.
Did I even need a CV writing course? No, but since when did that matter?
I went today, the college admin were quite understanding and the guy at the desk even said he would be a witness for me if needed!
My pimpo adviser will be using the fact that i didn’t have a half price oyster card as her main line of attack i guess. And maybe the fact that there was no electronic CV on the system. But after 18 months I’m hardly going to give them that now.
The course was interesting though, this first day. They are manipulating and basically gathering the CVs to send to guess who, yep, your jobcentre or pimpo.
And even if I do attend i will probably get into trouble when i refuse to use their computers to enter my personal info and show them a hardcopy of my already perfectly fine CV.
The work programme, damned if you do, damned if you don’t.
Sorry for the off topic rant guys, but they are relentless.
My tribunal appeal has been halted whilst the dwp try and wriggle out of paying any and all six month sanctions back. Though i am informed that i have the option of questioning this as i feel my case falls outside of this ruling.
Gosh, so much stress. I don’t know how I’ve managed to avoid going completely bonkers.
Thankful for my family and friends.
Stay strong people.
Mr No
May 20, 2013 at 1:31 pm
CV writing courses…
Somebody should write a novel, or at least a short story, or maybe a sit-com, about them.
Andrew Coates
May 20, 2013 at 3:45 pm
Good luck Mr No, i hope you really screw them like Mr K did, have a google they had to pay him 10k. It can be done.
george
June 2, 2013 at 9:06 pm
When I sign off my Work Programme provider can fuck off,they are getting no information from me.
ck
May 20, 2013 at 3:19 pm
Not only that but I will be changing my mobile number too and sending any letter back as ”
return to sender”.
celia56
July 22, 2013 at 12:50 pm
Slight change of subject. The bedroom tax was introduced on 1st April. On 30th April, a Labour-run Council has issued their first eviction threat to social housing tenants. Full story here:
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/bedroom-tax-eviction-nightmare-labour-run-1899977
This is happening at a time when thousands of social tenants all over the country are ALREADY in arrears over the chaotic bedroom tax – details here:
http://www.insidehousing.co.uk/tenancies/tenants-fail-to-pay-the-bedroom-tax/6526972.article
Meanwhile, homelessness is now set to become a crime:
http://www.leftfootforward.org/2013/05/is-homelessness-about-to-become-a-crime/
Tobanem
May 20, 2013 at 4:20 pm
Unemployment has been a crime for years!
Hang on, it isn’t? Sure feels like it.
Mr No
May 20, 2013 at 6:06 pm
We should all go off-grid and ignore their attempts to find outcomes, so that none of them get paid. Why is the money paid to them and not us? They do nothing. We get hauled there for 2 years.
something survived...
June 21, 2013 at 5:58 am
I would make sure they do not get a penny, this can be done by just signing off and not giving any details of your new employer to the WP, also make sure you have given the WP provider a full scale letter of non consent for them to not share your data, this seriously srews them up. Here is the link which maybe of use to some
Withhold consent from workprogramme
http://consent.me.uk/workfareconsent/
george
June 24, 2013 at 1:44 pm
I got 3 phone calls from Seetec in a single day last week… one local branch (Ipswich), one Birmingham and one mobile. They want to know whether Joe Bloggs works for me.
Talking of mobiles, the person I refer to (anonymously) in this post, has since received a voicemail at 9.38pm (not a typo…) regarding the job this person is alleged to have started. A phone call at half 9 from a mobile number, surely this is inappropriate and an invasion of privacy/private life?
Universal Jobmatch
June 29, 2013 at 6:08 pm
If you want to put a stop to their games and youve finished the WP.
Send the fckrs this
This CEASE AND DESIST ORDER is to inform you that your persistent actions including but not limited to [insert actions here (example: calling me in the middle of the night and hanging up, waiting outside my house, etc)] have become unbearable. You are ORDERED TO STOP such activities immediately as they are being done in violation of the law.
I have the right to remain free from these activities as they constitute [harassment/stalking/etc.], and I will pursue any legal remedies available to me against you if these activities continue. These remedies include but are not limited to: contacting law enforcement to obtain criminal sanctions against you, and suing you civilly for damages I have incurred as a result of your actions.
Again, you must IMMEDIATELY STOP [unwanted activities] and send me written confirmation that you will stop such activities. You risk incurring some very severe legal consequences if you fail to comply with this demand.
This letter acts as your final warning to discontinue this unwanted conduct before I pursue legal actions against you. At this time, I am not contacting the authorities or filing civil suit against you, as I hope we can resolve this matter without authoritative involvement. I am not under any circumstances, however, waiving any legal rights I have presently, or future legal remedies against you by sending you this letter. This order acts as ONE FINAL CHANCE for you to cease your illegal activities before I exercise my rights.
To ensure compliance with this letter, and to halt any legal action I may take against you, I require you to fill in and sign the attached form and mail it back to me within 10 days of your receipt of this letter. Failure to do so will act as evidence of your infringement upon my legal rights, and I will immediately seek legal avenues to remedy the situation.
Sincerely,
[your signature]___
george
July 27, 2013 at 1:26 pm
insist upon you want all contact to be via writing/post ,for avoidance of doubt.They don’t like it, but its tough shit.Tell em to stop being so presumptuous that you will be able to afford the credit for a call. You do not have to give them your phone number or email address see here —– someone put in a freedom of information request to the DWP
.Is it mandatory requirement that job centre plus or workprogramme
providers should have peoples phone numbers and personal email
address on their computer systems? If not can these be requested to
be removed without any fear of sanctions?
Answer:
It is not mandatory for a person claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance to supply Jobcentre Plus with
an email address and home telephone number. There are currently no plans for any third
parties to be given direct access to accounts on Universal Jobmatch.
If you have any queries about this letter please contact me quoting the reference number
above.
Yours sincerely,
DWP Universal Jobmatch Team
george
July 22, 2013 at 2:43 pm
edit the above letter to suit your own circumstances.
george
July 27, 2013 at 1:29 pm
Hi,
I need some advice
Recently I’ve come off JSA, today I’ve had two missed calls from Seetec I called them back and who picked up was very rude to me saying that they have closed the office now and to call back tomorrow. All I wanted to know was who called me but he was still acting very shady then he said that he was from prospects so I said jobcentre prospects? And he said yes are you still on jobseekers and I said no I’m not on it anymore, although I said I wasn’t on jobseekers anymore he seemed to want to know what I was doing, I said that I was doing voluntary work 4 hours a day when I had said that he seemed to find it funny? I said to him that I feel very patronised by him and I don’t understand why I need to tell him all this information considering I’m not with the jobcentre anymore. He said if I’m working or doing voluntary work I still need to attend to the work programme?
I don’t see how that can work, can anyone please give me some advice because I don’t want to be bothered by these rude people.
If anyone can help it will be much appreciated, thanks
Jasmin
August 29, 2013 at 6:30 pm
Hi Jasmin,
Do not take any crap from those half wits. Record them on your mobile,tell them if you want to or covertly do it and just make a transcript of the call for future use if you want to file a formal complaint wit he them.They are trying to pull a fast one on you to gain employment details to claim a payment from government.If your not on JSA or more importantly not claiming any benefits tell em to F off.They have an internal complaints procedure write to them recorded delivery and file a complaint.I am a bit confused as to why you are contacting them if your not on JSA,these companies are trying to screw a fortune out of the tax payer at the unemployed’s expense.
George
August 29, 2013 at 8:15 pm
[…] distressing” or “somewhat harassing”’ (paragraph 89). Apparently workfare is none of these […]
Boycott Workfare » Blog Archive » Workfare at the Supreme Court: What’s Changed?
November 1, 2013 at 9:58 am
[…] distressing” or “somewhat harassing”’ (paragraph 89). Apparently workfare is none of these […]
Birmingham Trades Council » Workfare at the Supreme Court: What’s Changed?
November 2, 2013 at 2:02 am
been on seetec for over 6 months..in manchester my adviser is lovely…..but she hasn’t placed e in any job or helped me with anything as she knows Im capable of looking and applying for work on my own, recently i have had a query on my JSA as i didnt turn up for an appointment well i couldn’t as i wasn’t in the area and looking for work elsewhere, anyway finally jobhunt paid off got 2 job offers and accepted both but going for the bettter pay local one.however now my adviser needs to know where im working to check up on me…no way am I telling her why?? she wants payment she never got me the job..so why should i let her know…also i lied on my cv to say ive been in work but if they ring up im busted and loose the job..been in and out of work for 3 years didnt want to say that on cv as as most companies wont touch unemployed people..as I found out in the last 3 years….what do I do as regards to complaining etc she has adviced me to say Im working for myself…or i think I will just say Im going abroad sign off then not say a word
kazza42
March 5, 2014 at 7:55 am
Punished for taking on temp work that is worse off than on benefits.My jobseekers allowance and housing benefit was suspended and without jsa for over 1 month Explain this to out of touch jobcentre staff.To add insult to injury I have endless form filling for this reched 2 days work,Advice to anybody don’t take temp work or zero hours contract on.I also wish to remind you that they no longer reply to sanction appeals justice no trial. Class war is round the corner.
Tony montana
April 13, 2014 at 10:08 am
You mean like they same to take forever to send out a “statement of reasons”, process reconsideration requests. The only thing the joke centre are speedy at is stopping your benefits… and it’s a long, long time to recover the money they have stolen from you through their illegal sanctions… if ever.
The Jobcentre is a Joke!!
April 15, 2014 at 10:32 pm
Hello everyone,
I’m having troubles with A4e myself. I thought it was just a simple case of ignoring them and they’ll eventually leave me alone – until I started to think that it’s strange that they’re determined to “help” a nobody like me, especially now that its been over 2 years. I should be just another number to them right? Well not just any number, they want to tell the government that they “helped” me to get a job and reward them with commission for it.
I have told them to leave me alone numerous times – over the phone when they call me but their answer was “You need to speak to an advisor about that”. Ok so who are you then to be calling me for questions regarding my circumstances if you’re not an advisor?? I even took the time out to type a complaint to them. The response was i n f u r i a t i n g. Seriously.
I’m really upset by this. It’s silly but I have cried a bit because I’m so angry about this whole situation.
Can anyone tell me how to stop all this? Who is the one regulating A4E? What practical legal action can I take against them?
Jessica
April 15, 2014 at 9:21 pm
When they phone you, tell them that their processing of your data is causing you distress and in case they hadn’t realised you had not waivered your data protection rights and in any case was at this precise moment reasserting them. They should comply with data protection act and destroy all information they have relating to your personal data which includes home and personal mobile numbers-all communication must go via address, ie written.
Dean Wales
April 15, 2014 at 10:19 pm
send them one of these http://www.lawdepot.co.uk/contracts/cease-and-desist-letter/
super ted
April 15, 2014 at 9:42 pm
tell em you will sue for harassment. Record their calls and report them to
Ofcom
Riverside House
2a Southwark Bridge Road
London
SE1 9HA
If you want advice or to complain to Ofcom please call us on 0300 123 3333 or 020 7981 3040. We are open Monday to Friday from 9.00am to 5.00pm.
george
April 19, 2014 at 7:21 pm
Thanks everybody. I really appreciate that you took the time to reply. I don’t feel so frustrated anymore 🙂 I’ll wait for their next call to give them what-not!
Jessica
April 24, 2014 at 2:17 pm
It’s The Need To Know Love And They Don’t Need To KNow
[][]
April 24, 2014 at 3:06 pm
Hi Peeps. I am on JSA and recently started the Work Programme. My real concern is with keeping my CV private, they have and are trying to find ways to get it out of me, and I’m now dreading even more, attending my next session because they keep pestering me for it. I have a CV I am using to apply for jobs, which was done by a professional and I just update it as I need to. How can I get them to realise they will not be getting my CV, as they are not entitled to it. 😦
Kitty79
April 24, 2014 at 5:44 pm
hi have a search fro freedom of information act requests put into the DWP, this should help you understand what the planks can and cant do. Good luck!!
george
April 24, 2014 at 5:54 pm
Hi Kitty79, Suggest you print this response (link below) to a FOI inquiry about the very question you raised, show it to the provider.
https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/81833/response/205409/attach/html/2/FoI%202283%2030.08.11.pdf.html
ECAP
April 24, 2014 at 5:59 pm
Protection from Harassment Act 1997
The Protection from Harassment Act 1997 (PHA) attempted to remedy this gap in the law. The PHA makes it a criminal offence to pursue a course of conduct which amounts to harassment of a person. A court may issue a restraining order against someone found guilty of such an offence. Amendments to the PHA introduced by the Domestic Violence, Crimes and Victims Act 2004 will also give courts the power to issue a restraining order in certain circumstances against a defendant acquitted of a charge of harassment. However, at the time of writing this amendment particular has not yet come into force.
In addition to the criminal offence, the PHA also creates a civil statutory tort of harassment, which enables a person to obtain a civil court injunction to stop harassment occurring and to claim damages where appropriate.
This is a very important piece of legislation which can potentially provide protection in neighbourhood disputes, cases of racial harassment, bullying at work, confrontation with the media or stalking, as well as hate mail and persistent unwanted telephone calls. The PHA can also potentially apply in cases of domestic abuse.
george
April 24, 2014 at 6:01 pm
Hi ECAP. Could I actually give that to them then? I doubt they would have the ability to understand it to be honest. I know some people have shown Seetec a print out of their CV, but not let them keep it, but my fear of that would be, that they would have you read out your information while they type it up on their computer in their format, so I am even wary about just showing it to them. Thanks for the advice guys.
Kitty79
April 24, 2014 at 6:23 pm
Hi Kitty79, I would show Seetec the FOI because it says enough for them to understand that it is YOUR decision whether they get your CV, not theirs. Alternatively, as you mention, you could could just show them a copy of your CV (physically keeping hold of it – sound childish, I know). But they can’t be trusted – so don’t allow them to photocopy it. I can’t imagine that even Seetec would ask you to read out your CV whilst it was typed up. And even if they did try that, just refuse.
In the worst case scenario,say you want to make a formal compliant and mention you will also contact your MP.
ECAP
April 24, 2014 at 8:46 pm
play them at there own game and give them the worst cv you can dream up 🙂
Personal Statement
My name is BENEDICT LE GAUCHE and I was born on 02/05/83 which makes me 28 and ripe as a lemon. I’m looking for a job I’ll like. As a man of integrity I’m not about to try and give you the impression that all the jobs I’ve had previously were brilliant learning experiences tailor-made to equip me for precisely the job I’m applying for (hello you) when in reality they have been, for the greater part, boring and drudgerous and disheartening. I should state I was not bad at them. The capacity to bear such trials whilst retaining an at-most-times sunny disposition might be called something like ‘the ability to work under pressure’. Yes. I wasn’t bad. I was good in fact – I can’t think of a job I wasn’t good at. (I can: a call centre job at a company called GOVNET – ‘a communication tool that government uses to communicate with the third sector’ and home to the most disastrous horseshit I’ve had the pleasure of peddling, commercially.) So, but via some kind of weird pride or fear of being disliked I have hitherto been inspired to perform above averagely for every company I’ve ever worked for and believe that I can harness this same fear in the furthering of your company goals. Who knows? I might even like the job! Though this is statistically improbable. Some short sentences about me: I excel at customer service – really fly, you should see. I can lift more than it looks like I can lift. I like working on my own if there isn’t anyone fun to work with but can also stand the company of people I hold in contempt and am, in this sense, versatile. I can work incredibly long hours, and will work for very little money. I have ginger hair and for a lot of people this is a talking point. Sometimes I do not feel like I am completely in control of myself and I have to pinch myself very hard. I like the great outdoors. As of the 11th January 2011 I am free from all venereal disease. Thanks for taking the time out to read my application. I’ve tried my best to be honest. I really excel at customer service and do, through great force of will and habit, hide the worst of my qualities.
Work History
Cleaner/Caretaker; The Women’s Organisation, Manchester ; 11/08/2010 – Present
Duties include: Working out how dirty I can let the building get without Lisa complaining and then cleaning to this exact standard. Composing lewd/crass emails to Alison. Enjoying the reversal of gender stereotypes. Pride swallowing. Key holding.
Host: Zion Arts Centre, Manchester; 02/02/2011 – 28/07/2011
Moving chairs from one place to another place. Tables, sometimes. I sat on the front desk. I colleced printouts from the office which is 300 meters away from the desk and I brought them back. When people passed the desk and made little jokes in a kind of we’re-in-this-together spirit I laughed even if the jokes were not at all funny. This made me feel hollow. I tried to fill the hollow by eating stem ginger biscuits that I stole from the cafe. The biscuits were delicious but they did not fill the hollow. Duties included: Checking that the toilets were still there and that it was ok in them, still. Keeping a log of this information on an A4 that was taped to the back of the toilet door. Taking orders from people who are conspicuously younger than me.
Copywriter ; Tailormydesign.co.uk, the internet ; July 2010
Duties included: Writing about fabrics and tailoring like they were something I thought were exciting and meaningful. Researching the exact tone of condescension invariably used in the Q&A sections of trendy fashion websites and overcoming an astonishing sense of dread in order to copy seven shades of shit out of exactly this tone. Wondering whether I preferred prostitution of the mind or of the body. Wondering whether this made me a writer. Wondering when it would end.
Waiter/Barista/Kitchen Porter ; Koffee Pot, Manchester ; I did this job like five times in 2010
Duties included: Washing up until somebody told me it was time to wash the floor. Washing floors. Pretending I was cooler than I am and that I was ok with all this washing up.
Commis Chef ; Stock Restaurant, Manchester ; 28/09/2009 to 15/12/2009
Duties Included: The preparation and presentation of fine-dining dishes. Intimate acquaintance with panic. Embracing with grace and good cheer being called ‘Julie’ by most of my colleagues. Teamwork. Because I personally went in to resign instead of anonymously skulking off I was commended for my bravery and forthrightness though I really only went in to collect my ipod and my terrifyingly sharp knife.
Telephone Guy ; GOVNET, Manchester ; 15/8/2009 to 28/8/2009
Duties included: Pretending to be on the phone. Joining my irrevocably compromised colleagues in the morning chorus of ‘I’M GOING TO SELL SELL SELL (my soul)!’. Trying to work out what it was the company did and what part of that I was supposed to be doing. Hiding.
Bookseller ; Blackwell University Bookshop, Manchester ; 01/06/2006 to 10/12/2008
Where I was kept on after temping because I was more than willing to share my social time / pass notes on Belle and Sebastian with the full-time staff. My meteoric rise to ‘Fiction Buyer’ – I was for a time featured on their website as an ‘expert’ – was tempered only by my devil-may-care attitude toward punctuality and what was termed in meetings with management as my ‘attitude problem’ (FUCK OFF). Having achieved a dream I attributed après coup to my traumatic childhood at such a tender age (the dream of being able to buy ‘all of the books’) I withered on the publishing vine and hit the bottle. I eventually left, to Denmark, in pursuit of dubious love. Duties included: Daily use of the full suite of Microsoft Office programmes. For two years. So now I can’t look at a latticed window without seeing, in my mind’s eye, Excel and everything that follows.
Weekend bookseller ; Books Etc. Manchester Printworks (now a Cafe Rouge) ; 02/08/2005 to 20/12/2005
Where I ignored signs that the world of bookselling was not quite as I’d pictured it in my dreams (signs included: Simon’s cadaverous skin and desperate smell. Eve’s quiet fury at how unlike the dream of youth real-life-retail-maturity had turned out to be. And Richard’s faltering attempts to allay this same fear and same desperation by writing plays that no-one ever performed, no-one ever saw, drunk, as was I, on the promised authority of the author over his and all possible worlds.). Duties included: Cashing up. Data input.
Retail man ; NEXT, Market Street Lancaster ; 06/09/2001 to 01/02/2003
Duties included: Resisting the desire to fold my arms. Resisting the desire to yawn. Resisting the desire put either of my hands into either of my pockets. Resisting the desire to scream aloud. I learned how to separate women who’re clutching with their dear lives to the same knitwear without ruining the knitwear. Learned how to dress wounds. Learned what it means to be a man (thanks Wendy).
Education // Trainings
Customer Service Certification ; Mary Gober International ; June 2007
After a two day course in a hellhole hotel deep in suburban Leeds my self-satisfaction is up from 46% to 79% and number of written complaints I receive down from 400 to 35 (all statistics in line with their website[1])
BA (hons) Philosophy (2:1) ; Manchester Metropolitan University ; 06/06/2002 to 06/07/2006
Pointless.
A levels, English Language (C), English Literature (C) Mathematics (D) ; Preston College, Preston ; 06/06/1999 to 06/07/2001
I learned that I was not nearly as clever as I’d always assumed I was. A difficult pill to swallow.
GCSEs in all manner of subjects (4xA, 2xB, 3xC and 1xD ); Garstang High School, Garstang, Lancashire ; 1994 – 1999
So unfathomably long ago that I can remember only vague scenes and almost certainly nothing of value.
Extracurricular Pursuits
I read, I brood, I play squash, I collect Nina Simone and Fats Waller and Billie Holiday records because they are beautiful. In order that the cheques do not stop I sometimes spend time with the family. I like going to parties (If ever I sit next to you at a party it is likely that I will talk to you about the author David Foster Wallace in a way that you will find dreadfully boring and it is likely that you will start looking around in an increasingly frantic manner for your friends. I will be hurt by your obvious attempt to escape and I will most likely betray this hurt by rhythmically stroking my ironic tie). I play the piano and the guitar. Sometimes I’ll give a cigarette to a tramp. I draw pictures of my friends and give them to them as birthday presents. I like to close my eyes and pretend I am Darth Vader. I pursue love and happiness like anyone else, with about the same level of success.
Facts and Figures
Average time I stay in a job: 357 days
Average wage: £6.15p/h
My weight, as of June 2011: 56KG
Number of friends on Facebook: 289
Age at which I was 100% sure I’d passed puberty: 21
Average number of letters in my eight ex girlfriend’s Christian names: 5
Number of letters in current girlfriend’s name: 9
% of customers satisfied: 97% (up from 74% thanks to The Gober Method)
super ted
April 24, 2014 at 6:37 pm
Lol @ Super ted! I don’t think I’ll be making up any CV’s, although it could be quite amusing to see their reaction. I am just going to have to really stand my ground and say ‘you are not having my CV, I do not want my information stored on your records’ and just keep repeating it like a stuck record. If they tell me to leave the office and have to go back for another appointment again to give them my CV, I shall repeat the above and hope they will eventually get fed up. Am going tomorrow and not looking forward to facing them
Kitty79
April 24, 2014 at 10:16 pm
make sure you use the bog and lush all the bog rolls down the toilet and block it up 🙂
super ted
April 24, 2014 at 10:43 pm
Went to Seetec on Friday, to hand in my job search again, which hadn’t changed that much since Wednesday, but it was still ‘perfect’ and I was in there all of 5 minutes!
There was no mention of my CV, so I didn’t say anything, but I know they will tackle me about it from Monday when I start the 2 week Gateway, at least I will only be there until lunchtime, and not all day, as they have said there is no need to be there all day. They have said I can still do my job search at home and take in the proof, so what will there be to do while I’m there? What did others do on their ‘delightful’ mornings at Seetec?! Bearing in mind, I will not be logging into my email account, due to security. So will just browse the sites, to make it look like I am job searching, although won’t find much, seeing as I will have done it already at home. I am dreading if they get people to write a CV, as I am not giving them that information.
Also, any advice on how to deal with Seetec if you get an interview at a time you are supposed to be at Seetec? I know you would tell them you have an interview and go to it, but I really do not want Seetec to know where I am going for an interview, as I don’t trust them and who knows what they may do i.e. contacting the company etc……….could put the chance of being offered a job in jeopardy……….
Kitty79
April 26, 2014 at 11:29 pm
It does happen: there is a post on moneysavingexpert and re-posted on here where a jobseeker has lost their job because of these provider fuckers. I will try and look it out 🙂
M Lewis
April 27, 2014 at 7:17 am
Hi M Lewis………….would be interested to read it, if you do come across that post you mention 🙂
Kitty79
April 27, 2014 at 3:10 pm
if they right out a cv for you and make up what is on it thats fraud you cant lie on a cv nor can they on one for you either.
doubt you will be there even for an hour tbh as you say you need no help from them anyway there just doing what there contracted to do and make money from you finding a job urself with no help from them.
if you get an interview ring in sick and never tell them if you find a job urself or give any employers details as it none of there business and point out why should they receive a tax payers bonus for doing nothing to help you find work as you found it on ur own.
super ted
April 27, 2014 at 12:02 am
Hi Super Ted…….
I would never give them details of a job I find, you sign off and it is none of their business. Regarding the interview, I did think about ringing in sick, but have heard people say they have had to provide a Doctor’s certificate if they have been ill, which is ridiculous, as when you’re in a job you can self certificate for up to 7 seven days.
When I received the letter about the 2 week Gateway, it said 10am-4.30pm everyday………I questioned what would the plan be for the day and what would be done during that time and they had no real answer, so then said if you do your job search like you are already and bring it in every day, you can attend for the morning and leave by lunchtime. That to me, just goes to show that one doesn’t really need to be there every day at all in that case, for if it was necessary, then they would insist and have things for you to do all day. It was just that I had heard that some people were doing things like role play and made to do daft things (would that really help in finding jobs?) Now if I were attending interviews and not getting the jobs, then I would question if I was doing something wrong, but that isn’t the case. Any responses I get to job applications, are that they have been filled internally, or they have already gone and the advert shouldn’t have still been online……..all out of anyone’s control and nothing that Seetec can help with,
Kitty79
April 27, 2014 at 12:32 am
Hey Peeps…….
On the letter I received about the 2 week Gateway, it gave a list of details with you, one of them being details of any savings you may have………surely they cannot make me give details as private as this?? I shall say they do not need to know. Surely another of their cruel tricks
Kitty79
April 27, 2014 at 5:42 pm
Kitty79, what saving syou have is none of these c!”£$S FUCKING BUSINESS! They will want to know if you have anything to fall back on in the event of a sanction, ascertain how weak/ vulnerable you are. Possibly why they ask what your parents do for a living which is again – NONE OF THEIR FUCKING BUSINESS!! And, of course, any information you give will be passed onto the Jobcentre. Working Links try this on too, whereby they give their victims a multi-page questionnaire to fill in (under threat of sanction for ‘not engaging’) in which they ask all sorts of intrusive questions such as how much savings you have. They also pull the other stunt of ‘proving your eligibility to work in the UK’ by asking for official documents such as birth certificates, driving licences, passports etc. None of which is any of their FUCKING BUSINESS!! These c!”£$s are beneath contempt – they really are!
Will Smith (Enemy of the State)
April 27, 2014 at 6:37 pm
they have no right to ask for that information you can have i think 6k b4 it affects ur claim for jsa tell them all ur savings are in a of shore bank account in Monaco and untraceable .
after the wp i got asked for a copy of my bank statement and said i use internet banking and a full bank statement from my bank is 25 quid and they refused to pay for it.
just took a pic of my account with nothing in it on my phone and showed them that and never asked again could have been Photoshop for all they know.
the dwp pay your benefits not the provider and they have no right to see anything that you have in savings or anything else either.
super ted
April 27, 2014 at 5:56 pm
I’ll say it’s private information and that I bank online. If they say, ‘you can ask your bank to print your statements off”, I’ll say they charge for that, or if they try it on with ‘you can print out your online bank details at home’, again I will say that is private information and they do not need to see information like that. What a bunch of crooks they are!
Kitty79
April 27, 2014 at 6:10 pm
Sometimes instead of making excuses why you can’t provide something (‘objections’ which like the good ex-double glazing/windows/conservatory/used car salespersons they once were they will try to overcome) is to be blunt from the outset and just tell them to FUCK OFF!! or words to that effect. Your bank statements are NONE OF THEIR FUCKING BUSINESS!! I HATE these c!”£$s – I really do!
Will Smith (Enemy of the State)
April 27, 2014 at 6:42 pm
* is best to be blunt from the outset
Will Smith (Enemy of the State)
April 27, 2014 at 6:43 pm
Do they need to see what benefits I am receiving? It’s just JSA, but wouldn’t they already have those details from the Job Centre. That was another thing listed in the ‘things they ask to see’. Also, during the Gateway programme, I will be due to sign on one of the mornings I am due to be at Seetec…….is there an arrangement for this? I am going to ring my Job Centre and ask them the procedure for this.
Kitty79
April 27, 2014 at 6:17 pm
I am not sure what you mean by ‘see what benefits you are receiving’ but of course these c!”£s know you are on JSA!
Will Smith (Enemy of the State)
April 27, 2014 at 6:46 pm
Make sure you get the double-booked appointments sorted because you don’t want to fall into the ‘can’t be in two places at the same time’ sanction trap. Also these c!”£$S KNOW your signing day. They do this on purpose!! C!”£$s!!
* apologies for the foul language Mr Coates but these c!ӣ$s really get on my goat!
Will Smith (Enemy of the State)
April 27, 2014 at 6:51 pm
I brought up today, about my signing appointment next Tuesday morning, as am attending Seetec 10-12.30 each day. They said that is fine, just go to sign and then get to them when I can – means I won’t be there that long that day, as get a train from hom, sign on, then get train again to Seetec, as they are on the same route but in different towns, be time to come back by the time I get there! But at least my signing attendance will be ok.
Kitty79
April 28, 2014 at 3:00 pm
you just need your jsa booklet that they give you and that’s it proof of benefit wise.
make sure you sign on as if you dont no payment will be made until you do you cant be at 2 places at the same time thats why they do it 2 trip you up and not sign on so get benefits sanctioned for not signing on even if you went to the provider.
if they try and sanction you for not going or being on time you have proof that you had to sign on that day at the jcp and will win any sanction doubt they can raise.
i had a few sanction doubts from my provider for not attending even tho i never went but the dates on the sanctions did not match the ones on the dwp letters so won them all 🙂
super ted
April 27, 2014 at 6:55 pm
my provider wanted a birth cert passport and wanted to photo copy my bank card when i went in for my induction.
i gave them nothing then when i refused ti sign the contract and data waver got told i was braking the law so said phone the police then and that was that and was parked for the hole 2 years and never went again.
super ted
April 27, 2014 at 6:23 pm
I think they just meant the proof to show I am claiming JSA – I have my JSA Booklet with me all the time, so will just show that to them if need be, RE the birth certificate, I showed that when I went for the first meeting a few weeks ago, when first referred to Seetec – the adviser looked at it, but didn’t make any attempt to photocopy it – are they likely to ask for that again then? I don’t drive and do not have a passport, so that solved that anyway. Wanted to photocopy your bank card?? @ Super ted…….who on earth asks for details like that?!……..as if!
They can ‘park’ me if they like……..would save me so much time not having a 35 mile round trip each day, which is breaking into my job searching time!
Kitty79
April 27, 2014 at 7:23 pm
Working Links for one will take a photocopy of your bank card and bank statements if you are daft/naive enough to let them. Then one of their staff, friends/family of staff, whoever they pass/sell your details on to could do anything with the information such as order child pornography on-line and it would be YOUR door that the Police would be kicking in – try explaining your way out of that one: “But Officer, I gave some dodgy character in Working Links my bank details”.
Will Smith (Enemy of the State)
April 27, 2014 at 8:41 pm
………if you get parked, how does that work with the Job Centre? Will they know that is the situation if that happens and just leave it at that? Sorry for all the questions, but I am getting myself into a stress over this (not worth it I know, but I can’t help it!) Will see what happens tomorrow and let you know of any outcomes/stories!
Kitty79
April 27, 2014 at 7:32 pm
at my jcp after they sent my info to the provider they never talked to each other than provider sending sanction doubts out then a letter comes from the dwp.
i just signed on and said nothing for 2 years never even had to do a job search for the first year on the wp the paper one that is had few sanctions for not going that i won then went for my exit report at the end of the wp and the file was blank.
went back to jcp and had a hit squad adviser but as there was no exit report never had a clue what to do with me so started demanding this and that until i had him bolloked by the floor manager for demanding my dentist phone number to make sure i had an appointment,not that they would have told him jack shit anyway.
burnt him out now get a diff one every time i go sign on like its my first time there ever time had another 3 so called courses and just went to fill in the paper work and left.
super ted
April 27, 2014 at 8:00 pm
The jobcentre will know if you have been ‘parked’. The signing-on bod knows the date of your last appointment. They might ask you questions like: “How is the work programme going?” They might no do anything but they do know if you have been in or not. If you haven’t had an appointment for ages they might say to ‘phone the work programme. You can say: “Yes, I ‘phoned the work programme. They said said they would get back to me but I haven’t heard a dicky-bird since.” They jobcentre don’t seem to be able to contact the work programme to make an appointment so if the work programme ‘park’ you I don’t think their is jack-shit the jobcentre can do. And btw, Kitty, don’t stress over this shit, trust me 🙂 the more of this shit you fend off the the stressful it gets, you will build up a kind of ‘immunity’ to it. As Nietzsche said: “If it doesn’t kill you, it makes you stronger.”
Will Smith (Enemy of the State)
April 27, 2014 at 10:48 pm
* the more of this shit you fend off the less stressful it gets
Will Smith (Enemy of the State)
April 27, 2014 at 10:50 pm
Thank you Will Smith and Super Ted and all other Peeps 🙂 I wonder what these cretins say if you politely but firmly tell them not to be nosey! 😉 Seriously, I’ll just take it one day at a time this week and be polite but firm until they get fed up and leave me alone…….perhaps I will then receive a letter in the post ‘barring’ me from attending anymore sessions until further notice!
Kitty79
April 27, 2014 at 11:30 pm
they say what ever they think they can get away with and try to gather as much information as they can on you just hold ur ground and dont give an inch on any personnel information.
the jcp has already sent all the info they require and you dont need to provide any more and if thats not the case get them to put in righting under what law they can demand that info cos they cant.
super ted
April 27, 2014 at 7:41 pm
Super ted…….you didn’t even have to do a job search for the first year on WP? I’ve already been going in twice a week for that – well just to show my evidence of everything I’ve applied for, been in there for all of 5 minutes, signed off to say I attended that day, then that’s it. And have already been told at least twice now, that my job search methods are perfect……..enough said really!
Kitty79
April 27, 2014 at 8:10 pm
i never went back to the provider after the first induction was only there 20mins as i refused to sign anything and pointed it out it said i dont have to sign anything and she went nuts saying i was braking the law pmsl and then just signed every 2 weeks at the jcp, after about a year was given the paper job search to fill in again to fill in and hand in to the jcp every fortnight.
super ted
April 27, 2014 at 8:20 pm
I wonder if all the clients who were in the Seetec office when I went last week, fell into the trap and gave their information? It was packed in there, but not everyone has computers and internet at home, so perhaps they are making use of that facility.
After the 2 week Gateway, I got told you go something else for 13 weeks – not go in everyday, maybe a few times a week – perhaps it varies from person to person, it seems like they make up the rules as they go along!
Kitty79
April 27, 2014 at 7:47 pm
yea if you got no net and no pc and dont mind being monitored then that’s all they really provide.
problem is what do you put on a cv for the last 2 years sat in a room and travailing to the room as there is nothing there to learn that can be put on a cv.
super ted
April 27, 2014 at 8:11 pm
I won’t give them anymore information about myself (it’s enough them having my address and phone number, but can’t help that one, as passed on from Job Centre) but everything else they ask me to give, I will refuse and tell them they do not need it and if they persist, I shall say I will get my legal adviser involved. Perhaps if they realise they will not get anything out of me, they will eventually back off a bit.
Kitty79
April 27, 2014 at 8:38 pm
Next, these blooming reprobates will be blooming well asking what colour of blooming knickers you are wearing if you aren’t careful, luv!
Brenda Barnstubble
April 28, 2014 at 9:13 am
I go Commando
actionman
May 8, 2014 at 8:30 am
if you use this site it will hide ur ip addr when searching the net and let you turn off cookies
http://hidemyass.com/
also print dont sign the book when you go in and out 😉
super ted
April 27, 2014 at 8:49 pm
Good point about the book, I was already printing my name anyway 😉 and for the site address. I don’t think I will be very popular once they realise they won’t get any information from me, hopefully they will get fed up and ease up…….probably not, but one can hope 🙂
Kitty79
April 27, 2014 at 9:06 pm
Seen a few jobs advertised recently to work for Seetec as a ‘Job Coach’………doesn’t ask for any real skills or experience (wonder why!) and it forgets to mention that you need to be a total ‘knob head’ to work for them! 😀
Kitty79
April 27, 2014 at 11:35 pm
Thanks for the knob-heads up, Kitty 79 🙂 I’ve put in my application 🙂 Wish me luck! 🙂
Knob Head
April 28, 2014 at 12:00 am
if ur on the wp they wont even give you a reply as you are worth more to them on the dole a provider years ago also ran an agency as well and asked for a local job they had and got told i must finish with them first ie to get the tax payers cash for the stint that was 6 months then back to the jcp
super ted
April 28, 2014 at 12:05 am
If they won’t give me a reply, I shall respond with ‘no comment’ to their questions/requests! 🙂
Kitty79
April 28, 2014 at 12:34 am
@ Knob Head……..the very best of luck with your application 😉 Do let us know how you get on 🙂
Kitty79
April 28, 2014 at 12:31 am
Thanks Kitty 79 🙂 Will do… 🙂
Knob Head
April 28, 2014 at 12:40 am
Hey Peeps.
Went to my first morning of the Gateway today…….not much happened to be honest, just induction and introduction, saying if you have a CV you are happy with, last interview, what type of work you are looking for etc. Then some paperwork to look through, and the most important piece stating that you give your permission for Seetec to have your CV etc………….so I didn’t sign that. Everyone handed their sheets of paper in together, so no doubt when they go through them, I will get pulled over for not signing it, but it’s my CV and they are not having it on their system to sneak around behind my back with.
Some other people left at lunchtime as well, and the ones who do stay for the afternoon looked like they would just be doing job search, but myself and another guy had done ours at home, so handed it in. I was so bored and trying not to fall asleep. Think tomorrow is CV skills, so will need to stand my ground where my CV privacy is concerned……….they can show me CV templates and layouts if they wish, but that’s as far as it goes. The gruelling saga continues……….!
Kitty79
April 28, 2014 at 3:21 pm
Hey Peeps!
Well, am about to start the 2nd week of the Gateway (at least it’s one day short, due to the Bank Holiday!) I don’t think I’ve ever wasted so much time, as I did last week. Just doing things and covering things I’ve known for years! I appreciate there are some people who do need help with letter writing etc………there are some people in my group who say they have never written a cover letter or didn’t know what a job spec letter is. We all had to write a mock spec letter – was told mine was perfect and the trainer said I am her ‘star pupil!’ (good grief!) Let someone who needs it, have my place! I’ve just been doing the mornings until 12.30pm, as in the afternoon they are doing job search, which as I do it all at home, they have been happy with me handing in my evidence and then going home. But on some days, at the last minute, the trainer decided to change the ‘timetable’ and told people to do job search in the morning, and then they would do the ‘learning’ session in the afternoon, which meant that I then missed those sessions and sat and wasted my time until lunchtime.
I found out, that when they were asking for details of your savings etc, that it is if you have a ‘money advice’ meeting. I have been booked for one of those, but have been told it isn’t mandatory and I can cancel it if I don’t feel it is needed (it isn’t for me)
I finish the Gateway on Friday, then I have a review appointment the following Monday, with my advisor, which is when I will no doubt be harassed for my CV, which so far I have stood my ground and not given them……..the other day, there was something to sign about giving Seetec permission for them to share your CV……..I wrote on the signing line ‘ I do not give my consent’. Everyone else in the group appeared to be signing away and are already letting their CV’s being sent off for jobs………I do not wish for someone to send off my details for a job on my behalf, as I’m more than capable of doing this myself! And I have been reading through my action plan with things I am meant to have done by this advisor review and one of the things is to have emailed my CV to ***************@seetec.co.uk………….I will not be doing that, so this is where I expect to get some aggro from them! 😦
Kitty79
May 5, 2014 at 11:20 pm
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 9:33 pm
Kitty, I actually meant someone on a course the other month who refused to sign the Data Protection Act waiver/declined to give consent to share their private and personal information. If you were fortunate enough to get two or three people in a group who did likewise you might achieve a sort of snowball effect. That’s why they probably try and isolate/remove ‘refusiniks’ from the group: “We will deal with this outside” as quickly as possible.
Another thing they do is they say: “I just need a signature” then pass you a multiple page ‘contract/agreement’ for you to sign on the reverse. You are just supposed to sign without even reading the thing. Btw: DO NOT SIGN! Kind of like the way the jobcentre gives you your JSAG to sign; it is only when you are leaving the jobcentre and flick it over that you actually realise what you have signed-up to 👿
Refusenik
May 8, 2014 at 6:35 am
Hi everyone,
I previously asked for help with A4e here after I received a response from them saying that they will continue to pursue me. Well the same chimp that typed me that response gave me a call after a month or two. I knew it was a call from A4e even before I was handed the receiver, plus I had just woken up at that time so I was super grouchy!
Well the chimp down the phone said something about that he didn’t fully convey his message on the letter or something like that and that he also asked if I was sure if I wanted them to stop harassing me. Even as I was saying no many times down the phone, he kept saying that they’ll help me with travel money etc etc etc and whether if I want them to contact me again after a 2 month quiet period from them. Wow talk about not understand what I’m saying. Finally I got fed up, gave the polite patience and just told him straight: “I don’t want your help, what I do want is for you to cease contact with me such as no letters, no phone calls etc etc etc.”
After that I haven’t heard from them since then.
Thanks for the advice everyone and thanks for reading!
Jessica
May 22, 2014 at 10:42 am
Had email from Manchester seetec this morning asking how im doing
Sent them an email back saying in not working or claiming any benefits as looking after my mum who has dimentia and not even going to claim esa with depression which i have with my mums illness as they would make me fit for work which i am not looking after my mum is a fulltime job and she has reverted back to a child.
Told them to delete me of there system the rats just so they can try and get a payment wouldn’t tell them anyway even if i found a job
wisegal
June 16, 2014 at 10:02 am
Hi Wisegal…….
You really do have to watch them and be alert for every one of their games, because they will try it on. Sometimes they come over as being ‘nice as pie’ but do not fall for it. At the end of the day, they do not really care about the clients at all, or their well being, they are just out to make money. The whole thing is a scam. I have been dealing with them for a while now, and they try to get up to some tricks, but luckily I haven’t fallen for it. Look after yourself and your Mum.
Kitty79
June 16, 2014 at 10:08 am
Thank u
Just spoke to there head office to wipe me off completely they have no compassion .id rather starve than go on any benefits ever again
wisegal
June 16, 2014 at 10:27 am
Hi Everyone………
I know you are entitled up to 2 weeks holiday in the UK while on JSA………..I have recently had some holiday time. I signed on two weeks before I went away, told the Job Centre, filled out a holiday form, told Seetec, returned from holiday, and rang Job Centre to arrange a late signing appointment. How bad is their call centre?!…..first time I have had to ring it, since the system has changed, it was much better when you just contacted your Job Centre directly, as I used to find them fairly reasonable and helpful. Shame the same can’t be said about the call centre…….the man sounded totally not interested and didn’t care one bit. He said I would need to attend my Job Centre that day to sign on late, but that I didn’t need an appointment, and could just turn up at any time, but that I might need to wait when I got there. So I went to my Job Centre, who said that was very naughty of the call centre and that they should have given me a time for a late signing appointment. I got passed back and forth between a few people at the Job Centre, but luckily they were helpful, I didn’t have to wait too long, signed on and money went in account a few days later. Now I will have some more holiday coming up in a few weeks time (it is that time of year and saved up and planned these dates last year!) I guess I will have to go through the same thing when I come back, as unfortunately my signing day falls on the week I am actually away from home (typical!) Had to keep an eye on Seetec, as they sent me a letter to attend a session that was during the week I was away, after I had informed them that I would not be around that week and that this had been cleared with the Job Centre (efficient……..not!)
I am assuming the 2 weeks holiday is 10 days? (Monday-Friday) If one uses up their entitlement and then want to go away (in the UK) do you have to sign off, then start a new claim when you get back (which seems a lot of hassle!) or do you tell the Job Centre as normal, fill out a form, but just don’t get any money until you come back? On the holiday form, I am ticking the boxes to say that I will still be looking for work while away (actually am, as laptop would be with me and would have internet access!)
Kitty79
June 26, 2014 at 11:26 am
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Work Programme providers begin the chase | Ipswich Unemployed Action.
vitamin d stitna zlezda
December 27, 2014 at 5:11 am
math worksheets printable
Work Programme providers begin the chase | Ipswich Unemployed Action.
math worksheets printable
February 10, 2015 at 4:46 pm
getting annoying phone for me son every day i keep telling them he working and not around to answer the phone i said do not phone back >but thy say thy need to speak to me son before thy can stop phoning i said who pays the phone bill me are him @@@so annoyed
Christopher Baines
March 20, 2015 at 2:49 pm
I am in work (albeit only part time) however I have chosen not to claim job seekers allowance. Even though I’m not claiming job seekers the work programme are still pestering me to attend meetings, also I recently found out that they are calling my employers to find out info about me, I was furious about this as I’m not claiming benefits and didn’t want the job centre finding out about me quitting a job.which they bow know.
Miss Leanne Rathmell
May 28, 2015 at 8:41 pm
First for future reference Miss Leanne Rathmell, always go to the home page and select the most recent article as that’s where everyone posts dew to the design of the site. If you scroll to the top and click on the Ipswich unemployed action and it will take you to the home page.
Did you get this part time job while on the work programme as if you didn’t its an illegal approach by your work programme providers. Im all for paying for a job well done but its wrong for providers to claim a payment for something they never did.
Tell this to your part time employer if the case and ask him to cease all further conversations with these providers while your reporting it to DWP, even mentioning them as possible witnesses.
If the employer says they will continue conversing then have you signed a contract that allows this employer to process your data as if not they cant legally process your data as they haven’t got your implicit consent, cant prove they told you in writing how they intended to process your data. If you go to the ICO register, you can even check if this employer is even registered as again if not without granted exemption, they legally cant process your data.
If you have signed a contract then exactly what does it say as regards third parties, you may find these providers are not covered (you wont see any list of companies), it really depends on the wording. Also as its often only part, a full statement can be gained from the employer which usually comes in a binder with other company policies like code of conduct, health and safety, etc.
As for the don’t want DWP to know about leaving a job, I don’t get it as your currently employed and as a part timer (paid), all you did was leave one job for another, the reason is irrelevant, your status is still employed but now your classed as a low earner.
gaia
May 28, 2015 at 11:23 pm
As for providers, did you ever sign any of there paperwork, namely a bit that gives them the legal right to process your personal and or sensitive data ?
If you didn’t then they must cease all communication as that is considered under law as processing.
If you did then you have given legal consent so im afraid they can ring around regarding your currently employed so long as you were employed via there support.
gaia
May 28, 2015 at 11:57 pm
When I signed off last year, I was just very vague with the Job Centre and said I was temping with an agency, never discussed with Seetec about any work, as I found the job myself. I’ve had a few calls from Seetec from the head office (recognised the number) but I’ve never answered and any numbers I do not recognise, I do not answer, if the call is important, I figure the caller will leave a message, but they never do, so that’s it. The calls have got fewer and it’s only an odd one now and then, but I just ignore the call.
Sapphire79
May 28, 2015 at 11:48 pm
What these providers are doing is just plain wrong and although I cant be certain, I bet there claiming payments from DWP as regards this job already as they only need to establish where your working then bingo in goes the claim for payment so to paraphrase IDS, “there claiming something for nothing”.
Putting fraud to one side, im sure DWP wouldn’t miss a chance to have to not pay them what with needing to find 12Bn.
gaia
May 29, 2015 at 12:04 am
They really do try things on. But I am no longer working at the same place I was, when I signed off, so even if Seetec were to contact them, there is no trace of where I went.
Sapphire79
May 29, 2015 at 12:10 am
Not true im afraid sapphire 79 as tax records under the coalition was farmed out to the private sector (cloud technology).Its already transpired that this company has passed on UK working peoples personal tax data to third parties already.
https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/work-programme-statistical-summary-data-to-31-december-2014
Under the government conditions to providers of the work programme, only valid outcomes are paid for.
Your also see if you read the government document that theres now a downward trend in claimants being sent because they only enter onto the scheme once which proves most on unemployment benefit currently have already attended or finishing off coupled with 70% of entrants returning to DWP after the period expires demonstrates how desperate providers are to continue making money after exhausting other funds to cover the costs.
I cant believe this government even IDS finds only 1 in 9 gain ESA claimants are 1 in 14) at least 3/6 months work after the first year as acceptable. Just as worse is how DWP times this figure by 2 so as to give out the impression the program is more successful than what it really is.
gaia
May 29, 2015 at 9:53 am
But, as far as I am aware, Seetec never called the company I was working at (they were aware of them, and would have told me if they had been trying to make contact) Since I’ve moved on, there has been no attempt of them trying to make any contact with any company, all I’ve had is the occasional call, which I always ignored and they have been decreasing, and I have now also changed my number. It’s terrible, the things one has to do, to get some privacy.
Sapphire79
May 29, 2015 at 2:57 pm
There contract is for 2 years so if you had say already served a year and a half on the programme, they would logically only contact you once for the remaining 6 months period.
How often they need to contact is as above relative to your time remaining. After this 2 year period there suppose to lock your file for 6 years (data retention law) then destroy it.
Its not entirely impossible that your providers are running an honest ship but considering the disrepute seetec has put its self in around other places in the UK, who can say sure.
When it happened to me a long while back I had to go to there office and threaten to report them to ICO if they didn’t decease. Naturally they apologised, gave assurances and that was that.
gaia
May 30, 2015 at 8:08 am
Oh I forgot to say I hadn’t signed any of there paperwork during my time with them so these approaches were illegal, not just because the job I got was from a CV I sent out a full year before entering the programme but also because they had no legal right to process my personal and or sensitive data (processing includes contacting third parties using such data).
gaia
May 30, 2015 at 8:12 am
My partner claimed JSA In 2012-2013, he then signed off to stay at home with the children while I worked. Just before he signed off he was referred to the Papworth Trust. He never actually went to meet them, they contacted him to ask why he’d signed off and he explained why. Fast forward a year and he got a job. Papworth Trust somehow found out and have been harassing him since (now a year), they rang his employer, they call him, email him, send letters etc. They had no input whatsoever on him getting his job, he never even went to their offices. When he asked how do you know where I work they said from the Tax Credits office?! How can we get rid of them? He’s tried telling them, both politely and not so politely, to leave him alone. We are now trying the ignore approach but this week he’s had 2 emails and a letter. I presume they got some sort of payout from the DWP for ‘helping’ him get his job even though they didn’t, but as they know his employers details I presume they’ll claim they did?!
CharlieCat
September 19, 2015 at 10:23 am
File a cease and desist notice. Get it from a solicitor. They must back off then
X
September 19, 2015 at 12:11 pm
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Test
September 19, 2015 at 12:23 pm
..
qwerty
September 19, 2015 at 12:26 pm
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qwerty
September 19, 2015 at 12:26 pm
I am really cheesed off with my WP provider,I am sure my two years are close and just recently they have just been doings things that distract me from finding a job,I had a criminal conviction become spent just recently which was my biggest block in finding work over the past two years,I don’t feel that my provider has done anything but increase my misery in being out of work and cause distractions.
I have three interviews this week, my provider has printed me off 20 CV’s to go and hand out to random companies, this is not 1987! if a company are hiring they on advertising it online or in a paper,last week I was told to call all the companies that rejected me and ask why!!!! What good is that going to do to my morale,maybe that is the key they are trying to make seeing them a misery so people think I am outta here! like we choose to be in this situation. I don’t want to give my provider my new job details if I get one of the interviews I have coming up,do I have to??? Is the worse case scenario that if you try to sign on again in the next two years you won’t be able to?
Better than imdb
February 1, 2016 at 11:26 pm
IS THIS A TECHNO. Some Posts Over 5 Years Old ?
Worried
June 7, 2018 at 10:30 am
Yeah, looks like we have been sucked into a black hole. The space-time continuum has been warped. Increasing to Warp Factor 5. Hold tight!
Inter Stella
June 7, 2018 at 4:36 pm