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They win

mcfinger
Wed, 10 Oct 2018 04:46:27 GMT

Thought I'd share my story, mainly just to get it off my mind so I can try and move on. Mental blood-letting, you might say. So, after finishing a WFD stint, where I was working alongside convicted criminals on community orders (who were all doing much less time than myself) in a highly unsafe environment (I only say this because the job providers have sat me through multiple versions of their dumb OH & S seminars), I was therefore assigned to intensive job search two days a week (for 2 hours in the office) plus the usual fortnightly grilling on site. I turned up right on time and was asked to wait in reception. By 10:20 somebody asked me to go and sit in a room with a stranger (who, I found out was also a job hunter). Two more people straggled in and at 10:30 my job agent walked in. First thing he said was that a lot of people haven't showed up and they will have their payments suspended. He said we had to go over to the computers find the names and contacts of five companies and then come back into the room where we would cold call each of them. Sick of all the unp rofessionalism, the punitive policies, the complete lack of help or care for extraordinary circumstances AND with nobody to listen to one's grievances anymore (now that we have full privatisation) I knew I would no longer be able to meet these time-wasting "mutual obligations" Mutual? So, firstly I remarked to my agent that he has kept me waiting for half an hour just to give out those brief instructions. He said sorry, it's my first time. (So why send him in on his own?). I also remarked that this is not the way I apply for jobs (I mean, who does? I bet he didn't call up Konekt Employment out of the cold and get a job). I said, I'm going to go home and have a good think about all of this and ...You're payments will be suspended, he said. I know I said, and your house may be robbed. Alluding to the fact that if they keep suspending people's payments crime will soon be at an all time high. Yes it was a dumb comment, however, with no other recourse available you might as well say something in the moment. It's a bit like letting the parking ticket guy know your unhappy, because you know the State Government won't care. Anyway, rather predictably, he said, is that a threat? I said no, it's a comment. I'm going home to have a think about everything. And as I turned to walk, he said, your payments will be suspended and I'm reporting your threat to the police. I said ok, because I'm less scared of the police than I am of you. However, I wouldn't bother, I added, because I'm not coming back anyway. I then walked out of the room, thanked and said goodbye to the receptionist who has looked after me for the last four years. I quietly told her that I am taking myself off the dole as I can't keep up my obligations anymore. This is now my 15th personal job agent to be assigned to me, and it is just nonsense. With a tear in her eye (ok, maybe not) she said goodbye, and into the pelting rain I went for my half-hour walk home. I can't justify expenditure on bus tickets three times a week for such a futile exercise - I just walk). With a great amount of relief, a huge ball of anxiety lifted off my shoulders, I walked home singing in the rain. No longer scared of the telephone ringing, no longer afraid to look at my text messages, no more anxiety about the next ridiculous measure designed to make life more uncomfortable for job hunters. And no more fabricating the evidence for 20 job applications each fortnight. My head was clear. My body felt loose. I would go home, get onto my computer (where I can go to whichever sites I need for information - unblocked) and start looking for some work immediately. I have quallies and experience and potential, someone will want me. I started thinking about the various opportunities now available to me. Not limited by the strict guidelines imposed on me by the job search provider anymore. I can apply for long-winded government positions, or take something cash in hand, if it is offered. No barriers anymore. I realised that what was keeping me from getting a job was the miserable job providers themselves. When I got home I switched on the computer and before I could check my email, my mobile phone rang. It was the police. They have a report that I threatened a staff member down at the employment office. I explained what happened, that I had been kicked off the dole and that I made the comment in a calm manner and that I had advised them that I wouldn't be back anyway. I added that they can take me to court, I'll happily expose the system. He seemed to understand (having been on the dole himself before he was a policeman) but told me it won't be going to court and to keep those comments to myself in future. Fair enough. He then said, if you've been kicked off the dole, what are you going to do for money? I said to him, well, thank you good sir for showing some concern for my well-being because those people down at the social services office couldn't give a shit. They've probably just earned themselves some government commission. Hmmm, he said. If you got this far, thanks for reading.

ruthb92
Fri, 12 Oct 2018 14:05:21 GMT

Good on you for sticking up for yourself! If you are searching online for jobs, and submitting them to your MyGov/Jobactive online account and doing so in the required time-frame, then the job agency has no right to bring you into their office and interrogate you like that. Hope everything goes well for you in the future. :)

osakadan
Wed, 24 Oct 2018 07:46:43 GMT

What an utterly ridiculous stituation they placed you in. Fingers crossed you get something soon.

tillitsea
Thu, 25 Oct 2018 02:49:09 GMT

thank you for sharing this story. it all helps for us to understand that this is not US!!! it's them. Some years ago I did some voluntary work for the BSL (yes, i should have known better) anyway after almost a year of regular unpaid labour with all sorts of OHS violations, valuables stolen (including my reading glasses), all sorts of spiteful mean things they brought on board a new manager. Obviously she needed to "flex some muscle and get these volunteers under control" so after a week, not knowing any of the goings on in that store, she confronts me one morning, on the floor (in front of customers and staff) and accuses me ...of things (no need for details). Anyway i think, their management will fix this surely, but no. Area manager threatens me with the police. I call police when i get home, they laugh but say, unfortunately, if the BSL puts in a report they will have to pick me up and bring me into the station and get a statement... my word against th e almighty, god fearing, kind and compassionate words of the Brotherhood of St Laurence. Yeh, right! BAtards! and Hypocrites!! By the way, in case you're wondering, i am almost too honest for my own good.

tillitsea
Thu, 25 Oct 2018 02:51:44 GMT

...which is probably why i could never get a paid job there.