Meanwhile, the "framework agreement" has been published by the DWP. It stresses that "organisations are expected to have good financial standing and arrangements that will enable them to manage the risks associated with the delivery of business under this framework agreement. As a minimum, organisations must have the ability to deliver across an entire Lot and manage the financial demands of delivering at least one package of business without undue risk to the specific requesting contracting body." So only the big companies need bother applying.
There's a neat story about the Work Programme on the thisismoney site, which suggests that providers will get a "nominal" sum for those clients they don't get into work. How nominal, one wonders.
Anyone with half a brain knows if you taking stuff home to do work, you should use a USB drive!
ReplyDeleteBut A4e has previous form for this kind of thing, In 2008 claimants on the New Deal at A4e Edinburgh were leaving their CVs on the computer desktop, which anyone could access. It was only later, after a claimant complained that this was a breach of Data Protection, that A4e staff then started keeping claimants CVs on USB pen drives.
These details relate to clients of the Hull Community Legal Advice Centre which the local council gave A4E funding to run whilst withdrawing funding for the local Citizens Advice Bureau. This is just one example of why that was a terrible idea. Confidentiality is key to the Citizens Advice organisation. I don't think it is A4E's top priority!
ReplyDeleteHi all, last week during my 2nd week at a4e i walked out. I was told by the jobcentre that i could do IT training to expand on a qualification i gained the year before. When i got to a4e they told me they dont even do IT training. While having a heated chat with my a4e advisor about this, she said out loud that - the reason i was there was because i dont look for work- I walked out after explaining my grievance to the manager, i havent spoke with my jobcentre advisor yet. I could possibly be sanctioned now. Dont know what to do really. :-(
ReplyDeleteSpeak to your JCP advisor today! A4e will have you down as absent, and if you don't report in you will lose your benefit. It's not new that JCP tells clients that they're going to do a particular skills course when A4e or the other contractors offer no such course.
ReplyDeleteThanks historian, i havent spoke to her yet as i have been up all night, not feeling well at all. I have managed to write up my grievance and e-mail it to the manager of A4E outlining the reasons for my absence, which involve my lack of confidence in their organisation on the grounds of professional incompetency. I will try and post the results.
ReplyDeleteHi all, a quick update with my situation.
ReplyDeleteI have today been dismissed by a4e because of my absence for the last five days. The absence was due to grievances put to them in writing regarding what i consider a breach of confidence and professional incompetence. Can anyone tell me, is it possible to make a chatge of unfair dismissal against a4e and where to send that. Regards
It seems that your only contact with the Jobcentre over this has been via email. Did you actually go in and speak to anyone, thereby proving that you were "available for work"? They were never going to accept your reasons, without a lengthy process. A4e had no option but to dismiss you because you had been absent without authorisation. I don't honestly think you've got a leg to stand on. Has your benefit been stopped? And before anyone says it, I am not justifying A4e or the Jobcentre. Them's the rules. You can make a formal complaint against A4e; ask the Jobcentre for the procedure.
ReplyDeleteHi again, i haven’t been in contact with the jobcentre yet about this, i have asked for a written response to my grievances with a4e from the manager. He has e-mailed me to say i need to speak to the JC which i will on Monday. My benefit has not been stopped at this point as far as i am aware. The reason for my absence was explained to a4r manager, it being because of staff mistreatment and breaching confidentiality. I have sent my grievance to a4e management and to their head office today. Waiting for their written response, i’m interested to find out whether i am covered under employment law regarding the "dismissal"...Perhaps constructive dismissal.
ReplyDeleteRegards
The fact that you haven't kept contact with the Jobcentre will be a problem. You absolutely must turn up at the Jobcentre on Monday or you will certainly have your benefit stopped. As I said, you were dismissed by A4e for unauthorised absence. Employment law doesn't apply, you're not employed. The situation is covered by regulations. You have the right to make a formal complaint, but I'm not clear what your complaint is; you said originally that you had been misled by the JCP advisor about what you would do at A4e, and now you say that A4e mistreated you.
ReplyDeleteYou've described what happened in a comment I won't publish because it makes specific allegations. Pursue the complaint.
ReplyDeleteYes, i was unsure whether or not to write what i did. I have been unemployed for 18months or so, this came about by a series of personal events. It is important that Government assist people in my position, throwing the problem in the lap of an organisation structured on profit does nothing but patronise.I am my own worst enemy at times, my ceaseless need to be treat like the warm blooded human being that i am often takes priority. Of course, the corporate ethos frequently denies this.
ReplyDeleteRegards.
Hi again, just an update.I saw the jobcente plus advisoryoday, she tells me thatshe has returned after a holiday and was unable to comment, she has agreed to see me tomorrow. The manager at a4e recieved my letter of complaint on Friday, i have asked him for a written response, their head office in Sheffield have been sent a copy also. Nothing back yet..
ReplyDeleteRegards
I`m not even going to try and explain the meeting with my jcp advisor today. She used the word conformity and the mention of getting me back to a4e prompto was made. She explained to me that a4e had not made any contact with her regarding my situation. An advisor for the clients group 18-25 is to contact me. He is the one a4e have apparantly made contact with. No word yet from him.
ReplyDeleteRegards
Still nothing yet ! I am actually way older than 25 * coff * :-)
ReplyDeleteWell, there`s been no call so far and its 5pm. It might be relevant to mention that on Friday the 13th August, i had an appeal tribunal hearing over a seperate incidence of a sanction, which held in my favour. I dont know if this will be reflected in any response about this current episode. It shouldn`t really, should it ?
ReplyDeleteRegards
No contact made yet from jcp. I recieved an e-mail from a4e headoffice saying they didnt recieve my attachment via e-mail complaint. Something does`nt appear right here, i might ask my local mp to investigate further or at least make him aware.
ReplyDeleteRegards
Well, i`ve sent an e-mail to the customer services who have now recieved my concerns. They have informed me that as a result of the inquiries, a decision was made to dismiss me. I pointed out that my dismissal was for not attending a4e. This isn`t looking good i have to say.
ReplyDeleteRegards
Hahah....I`ve just got off the Phone to my jcp advisor. She informs me that having discussed this with the a4e mananger, he is quite prepared to discuss with me any potentail IT training i might be able to access. Of course, this was the very intention of my attending from day one, needless to say, i have agreed for such a discussion to take place.
ReplyDeleteRegards :-p
Well, i turned up at a4e at 1300 pm today as no time had been given and, i was sent home. The reason i think was it was to late in the day. This has given me no option but to pursue my complaint independently. My first port of call will be my local MP, there i will ask him to assess the situation and clarify matters. I have been told by the a4e manager that a written response will not be provided to my complaints, this despite my requesting it, also, to contact my jcp advisor. Back to square one again i think.
ReplyDeleteRegards
By not turning up till 13.00 you deliberately made yourself absent without authorisation for another half day. You will have a hard time explaining why.
ReplyDeleteHaving been dismissed, i receieved no confirmation of this from them, as requested.My non attendance was directly as a result of the complaint i put to the manager. The dismissal came about due to my non attendance, it was pointed out to a4e that my attendance was directly affected by the complaint and its content. The manager at a4e has time and again refused to inform me officially of all the above, despite my requests time and again.
ReplyDeleteRegards
I`m about to visit my jcp advisor regarding the above, i will be interested what angle will be taken with this. Dismissed without confirmation, complaints refused independent assessment and the mandatory element which incorporates punitive action. Wish me luck !
ReplyDeleteRegards