Message On My Journal

Chris75_

As we have heard many times on the Scope forum, there is a message doing the rounds, inviting us to the job centre for a voluntary chat.

I have just received one of those messages, and i thanked them kindly, but declined.

They messaged straight back, acknowledged i declined the voluntary interview, and stated they will make a note of it. If I change my mind, I can get in touch.

Both messages were courteous, and I responded in kind.

onmylonesome

This should be in the humour thread….😁

Biblioklept

I have to admit the first time I got one my mind went into full on panic mode and I missed the 'voluntary' part and didn't cope brilliantly (although I've never been anything but kind polite and courteous to UC, even if it hadn't been voluntary it wouldn't have been the person behind the screen's fault!!)

But when I calmed down and realised the voluntary part I saw the positive side to it! I think it could be really useful for some people

I get them from time to time now and either ignore it (it says you can ignore) or I reply just explaining I'm not in a positition to take them up on the offer etc x

michael57

I suppose some see it as harassment and some take it as a step to a better life off benefits if able

SwiftFox

I'll just keep you company till someone answers🤗

Emilee

It sounds like your claim is being handled by a good jobcentre @Chris75_

Unfortunately not every work coach delivers the news in the same way.

Some are brilliant at explaining that an offer of a chat or support is voluntary and won’t affect people's claims or payment, but others aren’t as clear. And in some circumstances the 'offer' is actually mandatory and will impact a claim if not agreed to.

If someone feels like they’re being “asked” to do something they’re genuinely not able to do, especially with the unspoken fear that they might lose their only income, of course that’s going to make people worried rather than reassured.

michael57

Would it not be a generic message sent to people on uc I would of thought it's more a case of not reading it properly whilst in a panic

Emilee

https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/1100866#Comment_1100866

Unfortunately not. While there’s been a move towards greater consistency and some Jobcentres now use standardised wording, when this was first introduced the messages were written by individual work coaches and sent out universally to everyone on their caseload.

That’s why there have been cases where job vacancy recommendations were sent to people who were already in work, or even to those claiming under the special rules for terminal illness.

Of course as @Biblioklept demonstrate, sometimes like you say, it is a case of panic meaning someone does not ready it properly. But there are many cases where the messages sent have been inappropriate and misleading.

Ross1975

I'm surprised I still haven't got one yet, seems like everyone is getting them.