What seems to have happened is that an induction in Bootle was a shambles, with no one knowing what to do with the clients but treating them like naughty children or criminals. The woman "was introduced to a placement work advisor who proceeded to talk to the group like a primary school teacher addressing a group of six year olds. We were told to 'shut up, sit down, don't speak, put your hands down, you can't ask questions and don't speak over me'. She then proceeded to bring in a team of health workers and told me in front of the group that I should have a chlamydia test, there and then." She said that the atmosphere was so confrontational that it was dangerous, and that the experience was humiliating for people who were already likely to be suffering from depression and lack of confidence. The MP says he getting a lot of similar complaints about A4e and wants an investigation into its practices.
There's always another side to a story like this so we have to be cautious. But how can a company alienate people so comprehensively on their first day? Lack of organisation is one thing; but staff attitudes towards clients are fundamental. And they come from management.
Another MP, Fiona Mactaggart, has been asking every department of government what contracts it has with A4e. The Department of Defence said, "None". But now they've issued a correction. "The Ministry of Defence has one contract with A4e. This is for the
provision of a trial of early leaver services, to assist service
personnel leaving the armed forces with their transition back into
civilian life. The contract is for a period of 12 months, commencing
February 2012, and has a nil value contract management fee." (Does that last bit mean that it's payment by results?)
I have just finished my A4E induction today after being unemployed for over 12 months i was basically threatened with 'i will take any job offered by A4E most likely a part time cleaning position, shop assistant or as a carer' or my job seekers benefit will be stopped.
ReplyDeleteIve got nothing against these positions but i am a fully qualified data cabling engineer and I'm looking to get back in to full time work 40+ hrs.
When i pushed the 'advisor' that if i was to take a part time position like this and earn A4E there money i would more than likely end up back in the same room listening to the same smoke and mirrors speech, i was abruptly told too shut up or pop a post-it in the complaint box!
It really does seem i am just in the eyes of A4E another pound sign.
This company is really disgusting and something should be done about it quickly.
Anon: The more of you that make formal complaints the more likely it is that something will be done. Or perhaps, more importantly, don't give up when you have been fobbed off - but pursue your complaint even if it means going to ICE and/or your MP.
DeleteIt just takes a few courageous clients to stand up and speak out. First we had A4e Edinburgh, and now we can add A4e Bootle to the list. The list is growing, albeit slowly!
They were telling you you could get a P/T job? My advisor wouldn't be happy with that, because P/T you are still on benefits. I think they only get paid if you are in full time work. I actually got told not to accept temp or P/T work, but I look for it anyway as in terms of experience and not having a gap on the CV anything's good.
DeleteBrilliant, I do the same. During an appointment with my a4e advsior recently, wanting to know what I had being doing seeking work. Replied, I've had an interview at the NHS, showed proof, which I HAD FOUND OUT FOR MYSELF! for as and when needed position, the vacancies could be for a duration of between 2 weeks to 6 months. Advisor comment's, that's no good! you want continuious employment. I thought that was a nasty comment. I remarked any work is better than none, you don't know what door's it may open, and if I was to receive an offer, I would accept. It's all down to a4e making dosh out of their customers, they wouldn't be making a penny out of me if I was to gain temporary work.
Delete"She then proceeded to bring in a team of health workers and told me in front of the group that I should have a chlamydia test, there and then" That doesn't sound a true statement to me ..... I don''t doubt however health professionals being on hand. I remember leaving the Job Centre a couple of years ago and was asked by some guy at the entrance if I wanted to have my blood pressure tested.
ReplyDeleteThey once had someone in doing Chlamydia testing whilst I attended, people were asked to go to the toilet and hand over a urine sample iirc and then they would later let you know your results via SMS...
DeleteWe were not forced to do it of course they can't legally do that but it was done in a sort of peer pressure sort of way, rather than privately.
If a few people complain about an organiztion, it could be seen as mybe sour grapes by the persons complaining, but the shear numbers who complain about A4E should get alarm bells ringing,
ReplyDeleteI would never ever suggest taking a mini tape recorder with you to any of the a4e sessions.. ;).. Part of the problem is that its hearsay unless there is evidence, I am not surprised at the health focus of a4e. I know they started to talk about my weight in my presence in a meeting with my adviser.
ReplyDeleteI feel sorry for you to experience that. That's a completely, utterly personnal matter. Anyone's weight has got nothing to do what so ever in helping you find work or whatever they are supposingly paid to do. In my eyes, they are a set of bullies. I know from my own experiences, on a session i attended, i was told to smile, i thought what at? i was being singled out. When i was listening to all about do's and don't in interviews. If i had been smiling at those statement's, i would have made myself look like a fool - that's how they work, they try to under estimate customers.
DeleteThanks AnonymousMay 1, 2012 03:31 PM, Luckily I am happy with who I am, My size I am pretty healthy, apart from osteoarthritis which I would have no matter what my size it runs in my family.. cholesterol normal, bp normal (apart from the white coat syndrome), But some people are not as confident as me. Luckily i am trained for a sitting down job ..
DeleteHi Anonymouse, thanks for reading my comment and replying.
DeleteI wrote to my MP complaining about how I was treated at A4e. His response was that they are currently investigating them for fraud. I already knew that. Should I keep on at my MP?
ReplyDeleteYou should, Helen. I suspect it's the attitude of many MPs at the moment. But the more detailed accounts come out of poor treatment, the better. The management of A4e is supposed to be putting everything right, so they need to be made aware of what's happening at local level.
DeleteAn MP is obliged to represent their constituents, whether they voted for them or not.
DeleteI would also suggest you keep on at them.
Helen, I would keep on at your MP, the more you persist on the matter, they should look into it and get something sorted. As for your MP to remind you of the past news of a4e which is still been looked into, they need to be aware of their other downfalls.
DeleteCan someone please tell me what a person's bank account and what they spend on food has to do with getting them a job? this is what a friend of mine
ReplyDeletewas told to bring in with her and show her adviser on her next visit to A4e my friend and was told that she could have her money stoped if she did not do what was asked of her.
I have to go to B2B a subcontractor of A4e and I was told to put my name on the council list to get a council house as my adviser thinks' the private rented house i'm living in is to expensive,
what dose all that have to do with getting someone in to work and do they have the right to ask for this information???
I think people are afraid to challenge the people that work for A4e and other as the may get there money stopped.
It's sensible to do a financial audit with someone, but only with their permission, and only if the "advisor" is qualified (most of them certainly are not). But no one can insist on seeing your bank account details. If someone tries to make out that sanctions will be imposed if you refuse, insist on getting that in writing. And then refuse.
DeleteIt might be senisble to discuss with you the possibility of getting cheaper accommodation. But again, no one can tell you to do that.
Housing Benefit used to ask for bank statements but whether a4e are entitled to the same,and then impose sanctions if one refused, I would hope not. That's appalling.
DeleteDo not show them your bank account, there's no need, as for how much is spent on food? Every week is different, don't disclose anything, what would their next trick be? They are nosey. This has got nothing to do in helping you find work.
DeleteWell, a4e is helping run the Money Advice Service, http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/news/article-2131170/Why-trust-advice-financial-watchdog.html
DeleteA4e wanted to set up their own bank, before it fell through, They also set up a4e Health company, before it was dissolved. It seems that they are still trying to keep those parts going.
The problem with council housing is in some areas, they have a Decade long waiting list, If you are not a priority then you are just put on a waiting list. Look at the recent story about Newham in London the waiting list for houses is absurdly long.
I second my colleagues here DO NOT show them your bank details. Its an intrusion into your personal life. Get it in writing if you can(not that they will), then show it to your MP,
They cant use your bank details to store only the jc can do that and even then it shouldnt be your advisor there looking. They can ask to see it for varification reasons as the in the w2w sector is classed as ID. They should also check address so may ask for proff of this. They are allowed to do this but not for any other reason
DeleteI'm not sure what you mean here. Your bank statement may well be a form of ID but should only be used as such as a last resort, and then should never be handed over to anyone.
DeleteSorry. On some forms you can use a bank card as id proof of name etc. never should you be asked to leave a bank statement.
Deleteas for my home being to expensive my landlady
ReplyDelete(bless her) has not up my rent up in 4 years and I'm very very lucky she has been very understnding when I lost my job the same sort of house (2 bed semi) in my road is being rented out at 550/600, at 480 I think I am getting a very good deal, as for going onto the council list I would be dead 10years before me name came up I will be 60 this year.(my chances of getting a job at my age is very very slim sad but that's the truth)
A4e in sleaford left me a wreck,i went in a confident mature woman but came out a shambles. The advisor repeatedly asked the same question for over ten minutes which by the look on his face gave him great pleasure to try & break my spirit ,he did not ask but talked to me like a child,telling me to 'go sit over their prove to me you can do a job search' I said that a job search had already been done at home. I was witness to bullying of a young man who was told he smells, & then told after by advisor he could smell smoke on him & his breath, other young person was made a total fool in front of all who was in the room of a4e at the time, made to look gormless, seats were so low below advisor it felt like i was back in time at school again, all my dignity, was taken from me. Not until i got out of there it hit me like a tone of bricks, i wanted to be sick, my head was in so much pain i found it difficult but i got home & was unable to speak i burst in to tears & unable to sleep had thoughts of leaving my husband family grandchildren in middle of night going for a very long walk, laying down on soft grass and hope the cold gets the better of me. This is what A4e did to me and my family.
ReplyDeleteafter being sent to a4e by my job centre we were put on time filling course,s to fill a weeks induction to the so called work program which was skilled courses i.e how to dress to interviews,how to answer telephones great stuff on completion i asked what training was available on this training program the answer was security badges their was 18 people who attended how many guards do they need what a waste of money.
ReplyDelete