Personal Stories

Stories & experiences of Workfare

1. It was bullshit working there they was just getting rid of people for no reason at all they got rid of me because apparently I was refusing to do what I was told even though I got on with everything that needed to be done I also think part of it was because I told them that wasn't going to be in for two days because I had a few interviews lined to try and better myself in the long run

2. I was sent in a work placement for one month with Poundland, I'm in my 50s with a disability and after working for 30 yrs on and off was quite surprised they the jobcentre were sending me to Poundland. I was given a 5 min interview which basically lasted minutes which consisted of my name and the start date, my age also. I mentioned I would not be able to lift heavy objects as I have a disability. I was also told there was no vacancies for employment with Poundland. My hours were 11:30-6:00pm. I was told by dwp advisor if I did not complete the placement I would be sanctioned, if I was late I would be sanctioned, if I was absent, I would be sanctioned if I was sick I would have to get a doctors note explaining why I was sick. I was told I would work for 6and a half hours per day with one 30 minute break. I was early the first day by 30 mins but they started me anyway, I was given a job of stacking shelves that involved some heavy lifting, I was in so much pain I doubled my dose whilst working there, I was told to work fast, I was told to do my job and once the manager left at 4 pm, it was like a free for all, I was doing the work of four people, while the actually staff were hanging out in the warehouse talking. It was soul destroying, the staff were unfriendly and not welcoming and not helpful, I used to dread when management would leave as I knew for the next two hours I would be doing everything. I would come home and cry. I tried hard to befriend the staff, but they were not interested it caused tensions, if anything and I mean ANYTHING went wrong it was always my fault, I was to blame. As I was on the easy target for staff. I was shouted at humiliatied in front of customers, called useless etc. It started to effect my mood and I would dread going. I consider myself a great employee, am smart, wise, honest and hardworking who is motivated and self disciplined and have worked for private sector corporate companies as administrator and held supervisory positions relatively intelligent. After my months work trial having completed it with not a day off, on time and hid my feelings and always was professional and smart. I left feeling suicidal. They the company Poundland told me after two weeks that if I worked hard and always came in on time and never have a day off they would employ me with a 16 hour contract. On my last day I was speaking to a newest employee and he told me they tell everyone that so they get the most work out of them, he rolled his eyes and said it again oh they tell everyone that which meant everyone from the job centre, it was yet another cruel blow. I didn't even get a thanks from the manager after my month long placement.

3. It's for a Customer service role that'd last 6 weeks and Damart are going to have a presentation which I have yet to attend. What I find interesting is that they're advertising the exact role for both full and part time positions on their website: https://www.damart.co.uk/documents/2493887/2591267/CSA_Job_Advert.pdf/96e7efed-094f-4733-8686-b6cb1a432378 I must admit, after reading more about sector based work academies, I do consider them and this position in particular as workfare since Damart are continually running these schemes and their training for Jobcentre referrals is meant to last 6 weeks unpaid but is half that time if you were to apply through their website and more importantly, training is paid. At this point, my work coach insists the scheme is voluntary but she's still very pushy about me attending presentation. I thought I might as well go if only to ask some questions and to make others aware of what they're getting themselves into. I'm not sure of the exact date the training starts but I believe it was sometime in late July 2017. Thank you for providing such a valuable service.

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