jobcentreplus

[Buleste]

My "Local" Job Centre Plus (14 miles away) is 1 million times better than it's previous counterpart that was soul destroyingly grey, dirty and stunk of BO. The staff were helpful in-spite of the fact that they must get so much shit day in day out. "Fortunately?" for me as I'm unable to work I didn't have to go through the looking for jobs so I can't comment on that although I have looked at a few jobsites for when I am able to go back to work and all the sites are mostly repeats and unless you're looking for a particular sector to work in then nothing beats the local paper.

[J T]

My friend worked in the Croydon jobcentre+ for quite a long time.

Highlights included:

• A man that tried to change his name to Jesus Christ Jehova Son of God
• A man in a wheelchair coming in and threatening staff with an axe
• A man on incapacity benefit (with a 'bad back') leaping up onto the desk and kicking things around when told he should start looking for a job
• A body being found in the alley down the side
• Receiving a letter smeared in excrement
• People of questionable mental stability writing incredibly weird letters that made no sense whatsoever
• Someone trying to hang themselves by tying the blind cord around their neck and jumping off a desk. The blinds were reipped out the window frame and they landed on the floor in an embarassing heap. And didn't die. Or even really get hurt much.
• Getting sacked and going to prison. Oooops

[Harrison]

That last point... your friend was the one who got sacked and when to prison?

Sounds like a great place to work! I think your highlights would sell the job to quite a few in the community! And I'm not joking!

Regarding JobCentre+, as you say Steve, the jobs they can offer are no different to those you can look up yourself on the same website at home. The people at my local one have always been friendly and try to help, and it is a fairly relaxed place, but they don't have much to offer or recommend. They should really be renamed "benefits advice centre".

Years ago I had to go into the main Job Centre in Southampton, when my Grandmother died, to get her pension books cancelled. That place was an eye opener and a complete contrast to any I've used myself in the past. Drunks and drug users around the front door. Security guards posted around the building, and all workers behind protective screens for their own safety. I was glad to get out of there, I can tell you! And even the short time I was in there the police were called for a couple of separate fights and a man attacking the security screens. I don't know how anyone can work in those places.

[Stephen Coates]

Why did he go to prison?

They have booked me another appointment for next week. Don't know what that'll be for.

[Harrison]

Probably to see evidence of your job searches.

[J T]

That last point... your friend was the one who got sacked and when to prison?

Yes, it was. He did a naughty thing at work and I was not impressed. We're still friends - in fact he's probably my closest friend - but he knows how dim a view I took of it, and how stupid it was.

He did have some cracking stories from when he worked there though.