People being grumpy about Flexible New Deal

For someone who couldn't read the leaflet you've done a remarkably good job of putting a post on a blog. Clearly whatever training they referred you to worked wonders.

Highpark1 & Gerry - you guys should seriously look at opportunities working in complaints departments with local authorities...

Highpark1: Do you live in London, which borough?

Create Action Plans! Organise yourselves: plan in advance what you want to achieve - set yourself a target, have a deadline. Use all sources, advisors possible, tell them what you want to achieve and when. Set yourself a target that everyday you will apply for 5 jobs, approach the hidden market - call employers directly, pop into businesses, speak to HR, friends, family - network!!!! Don't have a good CV, have a fantastic one! Be proud of it, ask more professionals to view it - ask for their feedback. Show it to employers, ask them whther they would employ you if they had vacancies, take down the numbers, call them every month... be persistent... be determined... stand out of the crowd!

highpark1:

Not too familiar with Merseyside - have had a look at vacancies with councils in Merseyside, quite a variety to chose from - haven't seen any complaint handler vacancies... maybe worth calling the complaints department up and speaking to the manager and asking whether you could do some work experience to gain further skills in this area.

In reference to the problem/advice above, I have only recently been forcibly moved to FND. I did not sign the Data Protection Act because I have firm evidential reason to doubt the morality and legality of this Government (specifically with use and misuse of data, if within a different department - 'Education'). At any rate I have a right to privacy. With regards to my referral to a so-called 'Provider', I made a complaint about my personal data being shared with, effectively, unknown private enterprise (who then, even more effectively, introduced themselves by threatening the aleady subsistence level of our family income, on account of their notion that I had somehow missed an interview I knew nothing about).
Naturally, I am searching the web for information, for all angles of FND and I am surprised here to learn from the posted comments above that the relevant writers are unaware that the most basic of human rights, to have a voice, is being undermined. From another serious Forum/site I am led to understand that there is no independent FND Ombudsman, as vitally recommended, and that a 'Vexatious Complaint System' controlled by the DWP/JCP themselves has precipitated the likelihood of complaints, insofar that it will itself be readily used as a counter-action (to any given number or nature of complaints) to produce the same proscribed punitive financial sanctions. In other words, if there's much to complain about, particularly where you may feel your dignity is being abused by self-appointed saints on salaries, you'd be well advised to know that the worse the abuse the more you are out on a limb. In reference to human rights, it's about as legal as a war. A sad tale of looming disaster, in past, present and future unaccountability.
I shouldn't have to justify myself, except insofar that I comply with my application conditions for JSA but I do voluntary work. It is worthwhile, fulfilling and, hopefully, helpful to individuals and society.
Forcing folk to work for no pay is a different concept entirely and, in this case, one which threatens unpaid voluntary work. It also undermines wages and employment.
Greece, Rome, National Socialism, slavery is just that, accompanied with convenient adjustments of law to justify the 'Provider'. If I was helping, I'd be asking where are the safeguards and rights for and of the people we may, at root, profess to serve ? Alternatively, from my own point of view, do I have to subsist on seaweed because the Department of Nutrition (or 'Nuts') has instructed it is good for me ?
There are so many misnomers around it is usually best to presume the opposite, before learning the hard way. 'Flexible New Deal' = Order that must be obeyed. 'Better-Off Calculation' = Rigged maths. 'Work Experience' = Slave labour.
The colours of the flag may change but the mantras remain the same. They will be rehabilitated. Work will make them free.

Well, the title is "people being grumpy about flexible new deal" so this is the right thread...

More seriously, the attitude expressed by icarus is one reason why DWP and many in the sector are rather more negative about voluntary work than they could be. Some use voluntary work to build their skills and experience to get a paid job when they don't have to depend on benefits. Some don't and see voluntary work supported by benefits as an end in itself.

The experience when Government has followed the latter route of providing volunteers through programmes may have been good for the voluntary organisations who get dependent on this support, but may do little for those who do want a paid job.

I'm actually defending welfare to work (which is what this forum is about) not because it serves me well but because I see an awful lot of people in this industry putting a huge amount of effort into helping people back into work, transforming people's lives for the better, and achieving success. Without the "greedy capitalist exploitative system" there are many people who wouldn't be where they are today eg happy, successful, in jobs they enjoy, improving their lives and their families future, making a positive contribution to society and their community etc.

As I said, none of it's perfect, we all know that, but it isn't the beast from hell that a minority of users on this forum try to make out.

I was instructed to attend a mandatory appointment at a private business office making profit out of unemployment (it has cost £187,000 per person finding work through New Deal & FND), given that they'd received my private and personal details from JCP, without my permission.
Whilst there, another mandatory appointment was made for a day when I do Voluntary Work, they refused to change it because they've got folk arriving in batches to go through unannounced 'Induction' programmes, CV sessions and the like. No matter that essential Community Services are disrupted, already relying on charity through underfunding. For me, a day of meaningful work destroyed.
Furthermore, I am treated like a dog, being instructed to fetch and carry their paraphernalia. Told to sit, told when I can go.
This forum is headlined "People being grumpy about Flexible New Deal". This is my experience. Were my experience a good one, I'd no doubt have said so.
The Capitalist system, by it's very nature pyramidical, is dependent upon such exploitation. It is all about materialistic welfare, achieving the greater production for the minimum of cost. It has nothing whatsoever to do with making people happy, though there can be little doubt that being well-off is preferrable to poverty and disenfranchisement. The trouble is that all resources are finite and the more one gets, the less there is for others.
It's all very well claiming to help folk when such help is imposed, it is the justification one needs when picking up a salary. But just try explaining that it costs more to do less (funds set aside for the welfare budget are being diverted to private enterprise at an exorbitant rate), that people are being treated without dignity, as slaves, that those running the system (on behalf of business, not their subjects - note: 'subjects', not citizens, as UK residents are), and that job prospects are actually being damaged, then the same imposition of silence descends.
I am reminded of my daughter, who, when asked what Purgatory was in a school Religious Instruction, answered "There's no such place." All hell broke loose, as she was victimised thereon by the underlying malice of unregulated authority. She was denied her right to a Governors' hearing for the entire duration of her secondary Education and with the complicity of a local Council, the Education/Schools & Families department and the Permanent Secretary who all produced misinformation in a most deceitful manner, time and time again. That is how the system works in this country. Dishonestly. Even unto themselves. There are countless other examples, major ones like 'Iraq', and son on. The trouble is that this will continue with each complicity of the individual, whether through silence or imposing silence. Or, indeed, altering laws on the latest whim.
The trains that ran to Auschwitz were dependant upon timetables, signalmen, finances, all sorts of things which they couldn't have managed without. The imposition of fear and silence also played a fundamental role. And there was an abundance of profit for some.
Everyone is entitled to an opinion and, like all entitlements, it is not granted by authority, it is a natural right.
However, as one clearly has no rights and one's basic freedom is undermined merely in recounting actual experience, I propose that one doesn't have to listen...unless it is imposed. Whilst wefare-to-work programmes (or, as detailed in the FND prospectus - 'welfare FOR work')remain as they are (I know of one case where improper financial sanctions, as was decided in law in that case, resulted in the suicide of a young mother), it is worth remembering the saying that 'The road to perdition is paved with good intentions'. I am aware that a huge amount of effort is put into this.
By all means, help those that ask for help. But what does it serve a person to 'gain the world and lose his soul' ? Do I know of a better system ? one may ask. Yes. But what's the point in speaking where it is not allowed ?
In conclusion, and to prove the point in adopting such mentality, I propose to block all responses from being received by myself forthwith.
'Let them eat cake'.

Lazarus - well said and right on the money
Icarus - wow, spend as much time searching for paid work than for ways to strangle FND and you may just surprise yourself. Actually you do need to justify yourself if you are taking public money, I for one want to know that benefits go to people who genuinely need them not to those who cannot be bothered to find work and continually undermine the system.
I work for a successful provider - with success being defined as the people we help into sustainable work, I enjoy what I do, am passionate about it and treat people as human beings and with respect BUT the number of people who are able to work but do not WANT to work is astounding, they expend their energy trying to buck the system and cause disruption - I have no time for these people and they are simply suspended from the programme and often end up with benefit sanctions - serves them right.
You seem to be an intelligent guy, take a step back, see the big picture and use your energy in a positive way.
Lazarus - well done for the voice of reason

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