Just been to a Back to Work “workshop”. The guy droned on, rattling through the slides, then said “any questions no that’s it then” (he said this without pause or punctuation). Total learning, zero. Just another box ticked for them and us. The best bit about it was its brevity.

Report abuse

I think the comments above are perhaps a little harsh and unnecssarily personal. I certainly didn’t get a sense of superiority or condescension from Dawn, more a feeling of frustration, which being in a similar boat, I fully sympathise with.

In my experience, the moment one becomes unemployed and steps into a job centre, one is instantly branded as such. What it the point in working hard to gain qualifications and experience in a certain industry sector only to be steered towards utterly inappropriate jobs? Long term, it’s not going to help anyone. If Dawn’s article ruffled your feathers, I very much look forward to you reading my next piece on Monday!

Report abuse

Claire, I do not believe how bitter and resentful your comment has come across, I have worked incredibly hard to get where I am today, to try to gain a decent career, while studying for a degree, raising my daughter, and caring for my dad (which isnt mentioned)
I certainly dont feel superior to anyone else, or better than you, i feel that the Job Centre are forcing me into a deadend job, when i have worked hard, and if you you knew me you will see that I am no one special but rather than rubbish myself as a young mother, i decided to turn my life around by gaining qualifications and trying to get the best possible upbringing for my daughter. Also the countless interviews i have had, and jobs in retail i have applied for are not interested because i am quite often deemed unsuitable for ‘because of a lack of flexibilty’ so much for the encouragement for working single parents, if i am constantly falling at the first and second hurdles.

“Stop wallowing in self-pity and looking down on other people. Times are tough all over and you’re no better than the rest of us – it’s just that we’re having to support you while you sit around complaining about how superior you are to us.”

Also seems that by the quote above you are not willing to take notice of anyone on benefits regardless, unfortunately for you we are no longer a tiny minority of senseless people who possibly couldn’t spell their own name but an intelligent group of people from all walks of life.

Report abuse

‘…unfortunately for you we are no longer a tiny minority of senseless people who possibly couldn’t spell their own name but an intelligent group of people from all walks of life.’ ‘…surely if you’re applying for a job the least you should be able to do is write and spell your name and address correctly. If I couldn’t manage that, I wouldn’t even apply for the job in the first place.’

‘I certainly don’t feel superior to anyone else’

Are you sure about that?

Its thoughtless remarks like those above that led to my original comment. And no Dawn, I’m not bitter. I’m offended.

Of course there are intelligent and educated people who are unemployed. Of course people from all walks of life are unemployed (and, incidentally, illiterate people come from all walks of life too – and believe it or not some of them are even intelligent rather than ‘senseless’).

Ultimately those with an education, like those with experience, are generally better equipped to get back on the ladder than many unemployed people who cannot read or write, or people who are made redundant late in their career. Better equipped, but not better.

I am a single mother. I have been long-term unemployed and know what it feels like to walk through the doors of the Job Centre. I know how it feels to be turned down for work you’re qualified for, and what it is like to apply for jobs that aren’t what you hoped for simply because you need to do something. I got lucky and got a job – and given how many people will be losing their jobs because of cuts, I really do consider myself lucky.

The job I do is one you consider to be a ‘deadend.’ OK, so it wasn’t the sort of thing you enjoyed – but why do you have to use such derogatory language about it?

I felt no shame in being unemployed and I am proud of the work I do now. It gives me the chance to meet all sorts of people, both as colleagues and customers. There are good days and bad but I feel a huge sense of satisfaction whenever I help someone to find what they are looking for. I take even more satisfaction in knowing that I am setting a good example to my son.

You say you have worked ‘incredibly hard’ to get where you are. So what steps have you taken to research the organisations who do the sort of work you hope to do? What have you done to introduce yourself to them, to do volunteer work to get a foot in the door, to gain relevant experience and show that you would be an asset to them?

You’ve undertaken a number of courses provided by the Job Centre which you are quick to dismiss, but which along with your studies might help to bulk up a well-written speculative application. So have you made any? If you are studying for a degree you surely have the skills to let you do this.

The Job Centre is not a careers office. There’s a clue in the name. It’s a shame that we don’t have a dedicated service to help intelligent, educated adults to find work experience and to give them ‘a shove’ when they need it. Out of interest, what services would you cut to provide this across the country?

I believe with all my heart that benefits should be available to anyone who cannot work for any reason, who is looking for work, who has lost their job. Making a claim should not be a degrading experience and there should be no shame in anyone accepting support from society. I also think that each of us has some individual responsibility for our own future and, if we are physically and mentally capable, should do what we can to help ourselves.

There are very few people, if any, I consider myself to be better than, and I certainly don’t base my opinion on someone’s literacy or their job.

So again – not bitter. But not impressed.

Report abuse