G
ghostwhistler
Anyone had any experience of this initiative or know where I can find
a list of local providers?
a list of local providers?
G
ghostwhistler
I already have a provider, i found them myself and have been working
with them for 2months.
Now the JC want to change that so they can tick their boxes and their
provider (Working LInks) get the benefit (ie funding - none of this is
about actually helping people, it's all about managing the budget).
They want to send me to 'their' people, even though they do exactly
the same thing as the people I already say. The catch is that because
of a consequent conflict of interests I would have to give up the
people I already work with whom i have built up a rapport and a
relationship with - all so the dwp can satisfy their bullshit agenda.
This really annoys me because they won't do what's right for the
'client', but what's right for them.
with them for 2months.
Now the JC want to change that so they can tick their boxes and their
provider (Working LInks) get the benefit (ie funding - none of this is
about actually helping people, it's all about managing the budget).
They want to send me to 'their' people, even though they do exactly
the same thing as the people I already say. The catch is that because
of a consequent conflict of interests I would have to give up the
people I already work with whom i have built up a rapport and a
relationship with - all so the dwp can satisfy their bullshit agenda.
This really annoys me because they won't do what's right for the
'client', but what's right for them.
M
mart2306
Yes, it will be about meeting targets, ticking boxes and sending
people only to the contracted provider.
Nothing to do with whats best for the individual.
Some providers can be good, some not so good. To me, an established
relationship and ongoing help from an organisation is far better than
trying somewhere new just to tick a box. Bit too logical for the civil
service though.
Seriously, I rather doubt the JC staff can get round it. Corporately
there will be a contract for service and the organisation will have to
adhere to that contract.
Regardless of whether it meets requirements.
In an ideal world the 'client' would be at the heart of decisions,
tailoring things to meet individual requirements and local conditions.
Bit iof a bugger administratively, and with the way civil service
budgets have been reduced or frozen over the past years, they'll tend
to go for cost rather than effectiveness.
Martin <><
R
Robert
A bit of a joke really after the British economy lost 24,000 jobs last week.
M
mart2306
Jobs come, jobs go. Tends to be a lot tougher during a depression
compared to a recession but no-one knows what we will end up with.
Does mean employers can be a little more choosy when recruiting staff.
I have to laugh though, two of the job applications I'm doing this
week are for the jobcentre and the benefits office at the council.
Two groups who tend to keep going during bad times.....
Martin <><
M
Mike
Both lose staff at a fair rate - even during a recession. The JC are
increasing their frontline staff by 2000 nationally to cope with the
current probs. As they lose around 20% in a normal year they will be
recruiting 10000+ staff over the next 12 mths.
Mike
G
ghostwhistler
If i do what's right for me, i lose my benefits (most likely). If not,
I lose my help.
The system has got to change, but what's worse really is the attitude
of the staff. It's one thing to say the system is crap, but those who
officiate it seem to relish in treating people in such a backward way.
I might sympathise with people who have to work within a stupid
system, but not with those who relish their tin pot jobsworth power
they wield over the vulnerable and the poor.
I lose my help.
The system has got to change, but what's worse really is the attitude
of the staff. It's one thing to say the system is crap, but those who
officiate it seem to relish in treating people in such a backward way.
I might sympathise with people who have to work within a stupid
system, but not with those who relish their tin pot jobsworth power
they wield over the vulnerable and the poor.
G
ghostwhistler
Except they are closing jobcentres down.
M
mart2306
Still need processing staff. And call centre staff.
But can be centralised to 'save money'. Sod the customer service or
the time saved by someone there and then being able to look over
something and ask questions, get clarification or advise of additional
evidence needed.
Come to think of it, I've noticed a trend recently for any benefit
problems, the JC won't let you use their phone to try and sort it out.
Instead having to use a mobile (expensive), a rare working phone box
(still not cheap) or go home/use an advisor elsewhere to ring.
Might just be local but its an issue some of our clients at work are
annoyed by.
Martin
G
ghostwhistler
I despair of this state.
M
Mike
And staff will be re-located and yet more staff recruited at the
remaining centres. By closing down a small site and cramming another
dozen staff in here or there they save rent, gas, elec etc.
Some of the processing centres have been described as bursting at the seams.
Mike
G
ghostwhistler
Let's just bring back the poorhouses and be done with it.
G
Gran
No Martin, not just a local issue but an edict from On High, which
really, really, really peeves JC staff no end.
M
Mike
Seems an excessive solution to a shortage of desks in JC.
Mike
M
mart2306
Sounds like many call centres then.
Hot desking, crammed in where technically there isn't enough room (so
many square feet per staff member of particular grades etc), even
sending work to unsecure sites to be processed....
Civil service at its finest.
Martin <><
G
ghostwhistler
Well if you can't afford to make your own phone calls. then you can't
be reasonably expected to look for work.
Please, Mr Purnell, just go away.
M
mart2306
Its more being able to find out where your benefit is that concerns
me.
Not being able to afford the call and no idea when next getting money
seem to be an awkward situation.
Martin <><
G
Gran
And it doesn't promise to get any better. The staffing situation is
almost at crisis point now - not just the frontline bods you see in
person but at call and processing centres too. The 'Economic Downturn'
as it's so cutely called threatens a huge surge of new customers, all
of whom will be facing their own crisis and need help fast.
I understand JCP staff will be brought in after some crash training,
away from their otherwise invisible support jobs, to try and fill gaps
in the frontline for fresh claims taking - but those staff will have
no cover for their own duties and no leeway for missed deadlines which
in turn may impact on other customer service levels.
Whatever way you look at it it's no fun on either side.
M
Mike
Latest news is 6,000 additional posts though it's not clear if that's inGran said:
addition to the 2,000 posts announced last month. Breathe in gran, it's
going to be a squeeze.
Mike