Missed monthly sign-on due to 9th march strike

johnn

hi all,

I was unaware on the industrial action sheduled last tuesday 9th on march, so i went in to the fas office as usual to queue up to sign on at 2pm as was stated since my last visit when i was given a designated time-slot to come in.

when i arrived there was a letter on the front door saying come back if you were due to sign today on friday morning. i was actually away for the weekend visiting family in uk leaving early fri morning so couldnt make this new time that they had decided.

im going to go into the fas office today, did this happen to anyone else who couldnt make the new time? surely it isnt really fair if i lose my money over this as i had kept my tues 9th free as i was expecting for the whole previous month only to have it changed to a time i couldnt make at the last min.

should i give another reason other than visiting family away as that would constitute as "not being available to work" maybe say i was sick on the friday?

all advice appreciated, thanks

johnn

Trish2007

Had you informed the social welfare that you where leaving the country as you were meant to do?

johnn

Trish2007 wrote: »

Had you informed the social welfare that you where leaving the country as you were meant to do?

No, I didnt. After travelling all the way in on tues only to turn back around and head home, i didnt travel in again in a hope they would be there thurs, queue up for a few hours to just say "i wont be here tomorrow". maybe i should have gave them a ring to let them know, oh no wait...:rolleyes: I just decided i'd go in when i came home and see what the story is

In all seriousness, my sign-on day was sheduled on a tuesday, i dont know when exactly the strike was announced but that is when i expected to have to go in, and i booked a cheap flight a couple of weeks ago, that i was able get as i left at 6:45am on the fri for the weekend coming back sunday, obviously i cant get a job so didnt really expect to be required to be here that friday morning & i dont think that fri morning really hurt my pursuit of work! it was one day i received benefit for that i should have been in the country, i could have waited to get the flight after the working day was over if i could have afforded it!

what happens anyway, do they just not pay you for the day(s) that you are away or do you lose the JSA all together if you leave the country?

Anyway after going in today after queuing for 2 hours i was told that my next sign on is april 1st! they had just moved me on to the next signing without me actually signing, i would have loved to have known that this morning!

Trish2007

They would have paid you for the days you were away. I was only asking because you are meant to tell them if you are leaving the country even for a short period of time. You can go on "holidays" for up to two weeks per year. Glad to see they didnt just cut you off when you missed your signing date as Ive seen that happen before.

GerardKeating

Trish2007 wrote: »

Had you informed the social welfare that you where leaving the country as you were meant to do?

He would/could have informed them on the Tuesday, if they were there...