What do you think of people who want to get a job but for various reasons can't get a job?

Question

As long there are actively seeking jobs, applying and going to interviews. Should they be exempt from making those people who want a job but can't get one from picking up litter and wiping graffitti off walls? These kind of unemployed people are NOT riff raff.

Answer 1

my heart goes out to those who want to work but cannot find a job - however, there are so many jobs available at the moment, so there should no reason why they can't get ANY job.  It is the benefit spongers who get on my wick, they are wasting my taxes.

Answer 2

I sympathise with them, and as you say they shouldn't be lumped in with lazy Chavsters, and Economic Migrants on the scrounge.

Answer 3

I thought it was people on incapacity benifits that they wanted to get back to work, as someone has come up with some statistic that x amount of people claiming incapacity benefits can actually work?

If you can prove that you are actively looking for work then they shouldn't stop your benefits.  They are trying to sort out the true claimants from the people who are scrounging.

But like every harebrained scheme the Government have, I doubt it will work.

Answer 4

"actively seeking work" is such a vague phrase.

Like so many I work 40+ hours per week - how many of those "actively seeking work" spend that many hours actively seeking work?

I would be strongly opposed to claimants being required to go picking litter at day one of unemployment but after 6 months of "actively seeking work" (in today's climate) doesn't it seem reasonable that if they really want to work they will find something ... better than litter picking?

A guy came to me to apply for a job a few weeks ago.

Fit, healthy & about 40. I offered him a job (for £5.52 ph) and he replied "How much is that a week, mate?"

I said about 150 quid depending on his tax etc.

"Nah! I get more than that from the dole" and he left.

Okay, you can spout on about minimum wage but it's mine and your tax he's enjoying for doing sweet F.A.

I've employed over 300 people this year - migrants still working - Brits do a day and are never seen again (okay I generalise so :  fact 77% of migrants attend daily & 74% of Brits only work one day ) Do you wonder why the migrants are "taking our jobs" - simple Brits don't want to do them.

I can't understand "various reasons" - do you mean because the pay is too low? Minimum wage is better than dole money for litter picking? "I want to watch my kids growing up" - don't we all but not working sets a great example to them, doesn't it? "I can't find a job that matches my skills" - well its about supply and demand; if you can't find that job look for something else ... aren't we supposed to have three different careers during our working lives - maybe time to move onto the next one!

I have no problem in giving my taxes to those that really are "actively seeking work" - spending 40+ hours a week at it - I have no time for those that whine on about being hard done to but don't want to have to explain how they spend their days while not working.

As a caring state we should look after our sick, needy and less fortunates - not those who can't be bothered

Answer 5

It's a very tough time right now and job seeker, especially teens are having to complete with a lot of adults that have lost their jobs because of this slowing economy. The only people I think are riff raff, are the ones that do not try hard enough, are capable of working, but decide to stand and hold up a card board sign by the side of the freeway.

Answer 6

I think any unemployed person capable of working should be willing to do anything even picking litter whilst in that job they can still be applying for the sorts of jobs they would prefer to be in.

Answer 7

You mention "applying and going to interviews". I don't know if you have looked for work lately, but the way it works (in my field) is that you look on the internet, and that is daunting, apply for a job. That's it. NO reply. Now how do I prove to the Job Centre that I've done that? Or to you or anyone if it comes to it? As for going to interviews, that is so far down the list of possibilities as to be unheard of.

Answer 8

If your on the dole and want to keep yourself right with them pick out some companies you genuinely would like to work for.  Email them offering your services, your experiences and that your able to get at least 3 references from former employers.  It doesn't matter if they have no jobs advertised more than likely the company will send you a letter thanking you for your interest and they'll keep you on record for 6 months.  Never worry about what the Jones' are doing next door, until you get a job just keep yourself right.

Answer 9

There are jobs out there so I would be very surprised at an active employment seeker not being able to find employment withn a year. However if they don't, surely they would take pride in contributing to society in some way? If they aren't 'riff raff' then I would expect them to be able to see the logic behind the scheme - giving something back to society.

Answer 10

I have met many fine employable intelligent people who are on benefits who are shunned for many reasons. One reason i keep hearing is work "politics" and bitching the workplace seems to have become a no go area. Companies lose out in the end its a disgrace.

The government are a disgrace the DWP minister should be shot at dawn after all he frauds his own campaign literature SCUM OF THE EARTH

Answer 11

What you mean is they cant get the job they want, well well well, I would like to be the Lord of a Manor.  Why dont they do another job in the meantime until the right job comes along?  Things are'nt so hard to work out are they!!!!

Answer 12

I see your point, but it's so difficult in these PC times to tell a genuine person from a sponger - If you suggest someone is the latter, it's 'bullying'.

I have a friend who's been out of work for about 15 years - there's nothing wrong with him, but he's been on the sick the whole time. He sees doctors, consultants, has tests, etc., but he gets his rent, council tax, etc. paid, he goes out to the pub regularly, changes his car when he fancies (Currently a Mazda MX-5 and a classic car in his mother's garage).

His father got him a few jobs over the years, moved him to another part of the country as he was unhappy, provided him with accomodation, had him at his overseas property for the summer, tried to set him up in business, but the lad couldn't be bothered with any of this & returned home.

His father died recently, my friend apparently wasn't bothered as he considered him a 'bully' for trying to get him to make more of his life.

I fear that the latest initiatives will still ignore those on the sick, and concentrate on job seekers, which I think isn't as significant an issue.

ps Just checked with Job Centre Plus online - I live in the middle of rural Wales, between two small towns 15 miles apart, but it still shows 490 available jobs within 10 miles - go to 20 miles & there are 973!