My OperaDouble Dealing & Sneaky Tricks
Wednesday, March 4, 2009 6:36:08 PM
Today Radio 4's "You & Yours" had an item on a scam run through the DWP trying to get claimants to part with £25 per head. I'm not implying any government complicity but it does illustrate a lack of supervision on their part.
Here are four more dubious practices:
(1) Employment Agencies send 'vacancies' to the Jobcentre. The claimant telephones only to be told that the job has already gone ... but would they like to come in and register?
(2) Jobcentres demand that claimants attend all 'interviews'(OK so far). Some managers classify attending employment agencies as 'interviews' (which can be spurious).
(3) Claimants must apply for posts that involve a maximum of 90 mins travel each way. It is theoretically possible to claim expenses for going to an 'interview'. However the exact method of claiming is far from clear and can be voided by the most minor of infringements.
(4) Employers who use the Jobcentre to advertise minimum wage jobs that are apparently full-time and permanent. Claimants who are taken on are then mysteriously laid off just before they become entitled to employment rights. The employer then re-advertises the same posts to the DWP.
Of course if these omissions or evasions are ever recognised by the DWP they will simply move the goalposts. 'Orders in Council' are an orchestrated concert of the abuse of power. The claimant doesn't stand a chance.
Here are four more dubious practices:
(1) Employment Agencies send 'vacancies' to the Jobcentre. The claimant telephones only to be told that the job has already gone ... but would they like to come in and register?
(2) Jobcentres demand that claimants attend all 'interviews'(OK so far). Some managers classify attending employment agencies as 'interviews' (which can be spurious).
(3) Claimants must apply for posts that involve a maximum of 90 mins travel each way. It is theoretically possible to claim expenses for going to an 'interview'. However the exact method of claiming is far from clear and can be voided by the most minor of infringements.
(4) Employers who use the Jobcentre to advertise minimum wage jobs that are apparently full-time and permanent. Claimants who are taken on are then mysteriously laid off just before they become entitled to employment rights. The employer then re-advertises the same posts to the DWP.
Of course if these omissions or evasions are ever recognised by the DWP they will simply move the goalposts. 'Orders in Council' are an orchestrated concert of the abuse of power. The claimant doesn't stand a chance.
