BTW I think it's a bit mean on both Shevek and the rest of us to say he's getting this reaction because he's unpopular. He's not, but the idea that a graduate should get everything handed to him on a plate when people who've been working 30 odd years and have families to look after still get a bum deal.
Having to travel an hour and half to work
- Thread starter Shevek
- Start date
_angel_
.
I do understand the position about him being worse off if he didn't have a partner to support him somehow.
My disbelief is more aimed at people trying to defend these kinds of wages on the basis that "people manage" but quite often, they actually don't, hence people staying on benefit (and being slagged off for it) or living on credit cards or overdrafts and then having debt as a problem (then they get slagged off for being "feckless" and "living beyond their means")
Mrs Magpie
On a bit of break...
I'm not on my own though, but if I were, and in this property, I'd take in a lodger which would help cover costs. I might do what my neighbour has to do and work doing two jobs. Failing that I'd move in with one of my daughters or do a live-in job. My choices may be limited, but I do have some choices.
Mrs Magpie
On a bit of break...
You're the only one who's mentioned chimneys.
I disagree. There's a difference between doing nothing because oh nooo life is so hard boohoo and working hard for something better than you've got.
If Shevek carries on with his attitude he'll be in the same position in five years times. How's that going to do him any good?
I'm not being funny, but I don't see him campaigning for anything, I see him moaning on the internet. Not exactly Henry Mayhew.
Local, well paid, fun jobs are not a basic human right, they're something you work for.
_angel_
.
I'm glad you have some choice -although I don't think leaving your home esp when it's already meant to be a cheap rent is really a "choice" - quite the opposite.
Some HA and council's don't let you take in lodgers, so that may not be an option for many. ATM a lot of people are finding it hard enough to get one job, let alone two, I don't think this is "negative" or "whiny" to point this out though!
All I'm trying to point out is some people don't have those choices. I'm not saying the OP is in one of them.
Also, the only way things ever progressed at all is by people saying "no" to certain conditions as being unliveable.
Mrs Magpie
On a bit of break...
My Housing Association does allow lodgers. As it happens, because my husband knows that he isn't in a secure job since his civil service post was privatised we have actually have always had alternative plans if things go pear-shaped. It's another reason why we have savings rather than spending right up to edges of our income. We quickly discounted sending our kids up chimneys as a game-plan because they're too big and most people have central heating.
_angel_, we're pretty much saying the same thing!
Oswaldtwistle
Banned
Agent Sparrow
AGENT TRAITOR; fools 8 year olds
I guess the thing is, if you have to do the three hour round trip, you do it. You just grit your teeth and get on with it. But at the same time, I also think it is OK to find it a bit grim.
If you do a 9-5 day, and end up working a bit later (say to 6, which for some work cultures isn't late at all), then that's 12 hours out the house for work. If you want 8 hours sleep, then that's 4 hours to yourself in the evening. If you're a nurse working long days or another long shift worker, then that could be 14/15/16 hours outside the house. If you do shift work, that probably pushes the travel times up. I know that for some people that level of free time is a luxury, and there are also people who despite being near work, do several jobs to make ends meet. Obviously commuting is nothing in comparison to that. But it still isn't ideal, and I can totally see why people would want to avoid it if possible.
If you do a 9-5 day, and end up working a bit later (say to 6, which for some work cultures isn't late at all), then that's 12 hours out the house for work. If you want 8 hours sleep, then that's 4 hours to yourself in the evening. If you're a nurse working long days or another long shift worker, then that could be 14/15/16 hours outside the house. If you do shift work, that probably pushes the travel times up. I know that for some people that level of free time is a luxury, and there are also people who despite being near work, do several jobs to make ends meet. Obviously commuting is nothing in comparison to that. But it still isn't ideal, and I can totally see why people would want to avoid it if possible.
soulfulofsoul
Well-Known Member
Shevek - are you only applying for advertised jobs and going through recruitment agencies. I don't know Manchester well... but it's big enough.
Are you going round to local places with a hard copy of your CV? I'd also try more of calling people, rocking up and and focussing on what those annoying people call the 'hidden' job market. I'm not suggesting your not trying but just get yourself/ you CV out to as many places, whether there is (currently) a vacancy there or not.
I reckon if you do that for several hours a day you'd have something soonish. Yes, I do know about the current financial situation but this has worked for me this year (and in the past, and for friends).
Most people only use job boards and rec agencies, there are many unadvertised vacancies out there (particularly temp). Just blitz everywhere.
Are you going round to local places with a hard copy of your CV? I'd also try more of calling people, rocking up and and focussing on what those annoying people call the 'hidden' job market. I'm not suggesting your not trying but just get yourself/ you CV out to as many places, whether there is (currently) a vacancy there or not.
I reckon if you do that for several hours a day you'd have something soonish. Yes, I do know about the current financial situation but this has worked for me this year (and in the past, and for friends).
Most people only use job boards and rec agencies, there are many unadvertised vacancies out there (particularly temp). Just blitz everywhere.
extra dry
Happy to be here
go in to every KFC/Mcd's/Burger King/Restaurant that you can walk to in the city and give them your cv, ask to see the manager and just say your looking for work....and you will get something that you can walk to...get money in the bank..ok not fortunes but it is better than nothing and in six to eight months you will be out of debt and looking for the job that you really want to do.
q_w_e_r_t_y
You see an investment scam and I see divinity
How come you're entitled to JSA when you have a working partner?
the button
out on the kocker
Could be the kind of JSA that's based on NI contributions.
the button
out on the kocker
I was working for what became the DWP at the time that JSA replaced unemployment benefit. The new regulations were written so that the cost of getting to a job (and indeed the cost of child care) were not reasonable grounds for refusal. I remember it being specifically pointed out when I was doing my JSA training.
newme
Giant in Pastyland now
Which in itself seems fairly stupid, child care + a high transport cost could easily leave a parent in debt for having gone to work for the day if they are on minimum wage.
the button
out on the kocker
Exactly. We had a bit of a 'test case' in the office I worked in, where someone turned down a job because the hourly rate was lower than the hourly cost of childcare in her area. She had her benefit stopped.
newme
Giant in Pastyland now
Which is fucking stupid frankly lol.
When you say she turned the job down, in what circumstances? As an option to apply to or having gone for an interview and been offered the position?
the button
out on the kocker
IIRC (and this is a while ago, as I say -- when JSA was first introduced), she'd been for an interview at the JobCentre, and the interviewer identified the job as one she could apply for. She refused to apply, on the grounds I mentioned.
Incidentally, if she'd been for an interview with the employer, been offered the job and turned it down, the outcome could have been the same if the JC had been handling the vacancy. JCs make follow-up calls to employers to see who's turned up for interviews and what the outcome was. I used to do that for my job, but if the employer complained about someone turning their job down I made sympathetic noises and didn't record any of the details.
newme
Giant in Pastyland now
Weird, if being successful on an interview I was being forced to attend meant I was going to have to turn it down anyway as it would mean Id lose cash Id simply have ensured I wasnt accepted lol.
As it happens all I appear to be getting asked to do is apply for things and asked to expand the range of jobs im willing to look at. Having already told them I cant expand it anymore as you need an option for 'Im applying for anyone who will take me in any job and still getting precisely fuck all cos theres nothing'. Not once have I been asked about interviews, whether Ive had or attended, just seem to want applications made. Which being as theres stupid numbers of people applying for any opening, arent even responded to anyway 99% of the time.
As it happens all I appear to be getting asked to do is apply for things and asked to expand the range of jobs im willing to look at. Having already told them I cant expand it anymore as you need an option for 'Im applying for anyone who will take me in any job and still getting precisely fuck all cos theres nothing'. Not once have I been asked about interviews, whether Ive had or attended, just seem to want applications made. Which being as theres stupid numbers of people applying for any opening, arent even responded to anyway 99% of the time.
_angel_
.
That's not merely stupid, or someone "turning a job down" though, surely that's the job turning itself down, if childcare costs more..
where did they think the money was going to come from to pay for it?
I hope that person made a fuss about that "decision" ie appealed/ letters to their MP etc.
eta: this was under the tories when problems like childcare magically didn't exist, was it?
Similar threads
