Employment confusion

[andrewducker]

When I was unemployed for about 18 months back in 1994-95 (just after graduating), I was sent on a few training courses, and put into unpaid work placements. Is this actually different to what's currently being proposed?

I'm not trying to snark - I'm actively confused as to whether this is in any way a new thing.

Comments

[lilysea.livejournal.com]

What I'm concerned about is what the provisions are for people with conditions such as

Arthritis;
Сhronic fatigue syndrome (CFS);
Fibromyalgia;
Repetitive strain injury (RSI) etc etc.

to avoid doing unpaid work placements where the type of work involved might aggravate their physical issues, thus making it even harder for them to find paid work.

[andrewducker]

Yup, I'd be against that.

[a-pawson.livejournal.com]

Surely there will be exceptions made for people with disabilities or medical problems?

[undeadbydawn.livejournal.com]

our glorious leaders are currently re-processing *all* disability claims in a bit to cut costs.
currently not sure whether criteria had changed, but my daughters mother did recently refuse to supply another blood sample

[missedith01.livejournal.com]

Wouldn't make sense to have that decision made in a JSA claim ... it's already part of the ESA decision (is a person capable of work? is a person capable of work-related activity?)

[missedith01.livejournal.com]

... altho at present you can refuse to look for/accept certain types of work if it is reasonable in view of a medical condition w/o your claim for JSA bing sanctioned ... not an expert on the New Deal so can't recall whether same exemption applied to work placements.

[ashfae.livejournal.com]

This is what worries me about the scheme too. Bad enough that people who truly are unable to work are getting pegged as able to work when they aren't (I have a friend with fibromylagia; she can't wash her hair without help or make tea without dropping the kettle or even reliably walk but she can hold a pencil, so she's just been tagged as able to work even though she very clearly can't), but to, while they're trying to find jobs that they're not going to get and probably aren't able to do anyway because of their disabilities, demand that they do physically demanding work or else lose all assistance? ARGH. The stupid, it burns.