Accepted a job too hastily. Need advice, please help!

blankface

Hi all,

I am a long time boards user, using a different name because I don't want my current employers to identify me. I hope that's okay. I've gotten myself in a mess and really need some advice.

Long story short, I had been out of work for a while after being made redundant, and was so desperate for a job that I jumped at one that was eventually offered to me, even though it would require a massive change in my living circumstances and travel costs. I really just wanted to work, and jumped in feet first.

I should have thought it through better, I seem to have done it too hastily - basically, it now transpires that the hours involved, though scattered and inconvenient, aren't as good as I'd been lead to believe. Coupled with the extra expenses associated with being available and getting to and from the job, I'm now significantly worse off than I was before financially, the work itself is miserable and the lifestyle changes are much bigger than I'd appreciated.

I only started a few days ago and haven't gotten around to signing off yet, but I want to stress, I haven't picked up any social welfare money since I started. I have neither been paid by my employer, nor have I gotten JSA money. But it's my understanding that if I quit now, I won't be able to claim again. I should never have taken the job.

My signing day is Tuesday, and I know I have to do something by then, but I really don't know what is the best thing to do. I want to stress again, I don't want any money I'm not entitled to - I would prefer to not be paid for the work I've already done, if I can retain my JSA without interruption. I had a terrible time applying last time around, and I don't know how I'd manage financially if they treated my claim the same way this time around. My employer doesn't have any of my financial details or started payroll processing me yet.

I've gotten myself in a mess, but I'm not out to scam or double dip or anything like that, I just don't know what the cleanest way forward is. I see now that I just should never have applied for the job in the first place, but I don't know the best route out is now. I would greatly appreciate any pointers in the right direction.

creep

Signing on even if you are working is a big no no even if you are not collecting the money. Does your employer have ur PPS number? You could completely lose the dole for the future. You will lose your job seekers for nine weeks if you quit and your dole application will have to put through again unfortunately

blankface

creep wrote: »

Signing on even if you are working is a big no no even if you are not collecting the money. Does your employer have ur PPS number? You could completely lose the dole for the future. You will lose your job seekers for nine weeks if you quit and your dole application will have to put through again unfortunately

No, my employer doesn't have my PPS number.

I know, I wouldn't risk signing, I'm just a bit stressed so there's a certain amount of stream of consciousness happening there - Tuesday is my day off, so I would be able to get to the office to try to resolve this then.

kellxor.1337

If the employer doesn't have your pps number or any financial details, Can you just quit and not mention anything to the Dole?

TheBoffin

Taken From Citizens Information

Available for work

The Department of Social Protection’s Operational Guidelines state that you are considered available for employment, if:

You state that you are available for work
You do all that is asked to show compliance with this availability condition
There is no evidence to suggest the contrary

Essentially the Department of Social Protection considers that you are available for employment if you are prepared to accept any offers of suitable employment immediately.

There is no definition of suitable employment listed.

The hours of work regardless of what they are cannot be deemed unreasonably unless they go against the Organisation of Working Time.
The travel is something you would have been aware of prior to accepting the position (is that correct? I am making an assumption)

If you were genuinely mislead in terms of the cost of getting to work due to shift times(i.e. hours of work outside of public transport times) then you could argue on grounds of feasibility. I think from reading your post, this is possibly the only possibility you might have of backing out without interruptions.

Should this be true then speak to your welfare office straight away on the grounds of feasibility and being mislead.

If its just lifestyle changes and working hours, this would not be sufficient and as a result you would need to wait for the 9 week waiting period before getting JSA again or continue in the job.

No job suits everyone all of the time, there is give and take from both sides.

blankface

TheBoffin wrote: »

No job suits everyone all of the time, there is give and take from both sides.

I appreciate that, and I'm no stranger to hard work and long hours, believe me. But these are scattered hours that don't really pay for themselves. The main new expense is that keeping the job long term would require a move. I don't have a car, and rents in the area are far higher than I realised or expected compared to my current situation, and public transport from elsewhere isn't an option because it doesn't serve the times I would work.

I don't think I can say I was misled, I was told hours would be "variable", but I expected them to come in bigger blocks, and have discovered that's not really the case. As I say, I realise I should have done more homework on my side before accepting this, but I was just at my wits end looking for work when it came up.

TheBoffin

I understand where you are coming from.

You said you havent supplied a PPS number and/or registered for tax with them yet so i suppose that is a good position. I assume you have not signed a contract either.

I think given the circumstance what I would probably do is speak to the employer tomorrow morning, outline your concerns and advise that you wish to leave. Do not accept payment from the employer for hours worked as this will constitute employment. Advise them that you treated it as a trial period which sadly by no fault if the position or employer, its just not working for you financially. Part on good terms and leave the misleading thing out of it. Its simple, cost-wise its not going to work for you.

Make an appointment with Obair or FAS to see one of those people that help you look for a job (cant think of the name, brain is letting me down) and tell them you had a trial period with a potential employer (unpaid) and sadly it didnt work out for financial reasons.

In relation to the social welfare, i would proceed as normal, no contract signed, no payment accepted. If you are directed otherwise by Obair/Fas then proceed as per their advice.

Bottom line, if its not going to work out, quit ASAP. No point in leaving it linger on, it will only complicate matters.

wishwashwoo

Listen if your not happy with the job pack it in. Never stay in a job your not happy with it will eat you up inside take it from someone who knows its not fair to yourself and its not fair to the imployer to . Leave the job tomorrow tell the boss the job is not as promised theres too much of this crap going on companys are talking advantage of the bad times . Honestly pal leave the job you will make yourself sick its not worth it . Just leave and tell the dole office you were lied to about what you were promised . Make the decision soon pal all the best . From David hillery

TheBoffin

Listen if your not happy with the job pack it in. Never stay in a job your not happy with it will eat you up inside take it from someone who knows its not fair to yourself and its not fair to the imployer to . Leave the job tomorrow tell the boss the job is not as promised theres too much of this crap going on companys are talking advantage of the bad times . Honestly pal leave the job you will make yourself sick its not worth it . Just leave and tell the dole office you were lied to about what you were promised . Make the decision soon pal all the best . From David hillery

Best advice ever.

Tombi!

I did something really like this. It was one of those "door to door" jobs that are advertised as actual jobs. Was years ago and I was stupid enough to let the social welfare I can sign off, etc.

After thinking about it, I decided the "job" wasn't worth it at all. I explained what would be going on to the welfare "there'd be no wage, it's just based on commission, I'd never be guaranteed money to feed myself, etc".

The fact that you need to move out too would go well for you. Just say you can't take the job and that's that. You really should tell the welfare about it. Because technically, you might have been employed and thus, you won't be entilted to the money for those days you were employed AFAIK (which would be little I think).

Just explain that you weren't able for the job both financially and that it would require travel that you can't afford, the hours coupled with it would be too difficult (really hand if it's very early or late when buses won't run).

What exactly is the job you actually doing? Given that you said it wasn't waht you were told, what you were told you'd be doing? If the employer lied to you then it's your right to refuse it.

Just don't go in lying or getting angry. Trust me. If you're calm and nice about it you'll get far more help that way.

augusta24

You're allowed to suspend your dole for up to 8 weeks without having to tell social welfare anything about the job or how much you'll earn etc. your money automatically kicks in from the date you go back in and tell social welfare it's over.

Why not tell them you've a job for short term and suspend your claim and maybe give this job another week or so?
Or alternatively you could suspend your claim for the next week r two to make up for the week you've been signing on while working. In the meantime quit your job and just sign back on in a week or two?
I know that might not technically be legal but it would even it out so you're not actually making money on them... They'd just have the wrong dates?

confuseddotcom

A Jobseeker's Claim should only be opened from the first day of Un-employment.

/thread

WIZE

You are currently in a Job, Why are you going Backwards.


You can be looking and applying for New jobs while you are in the present Job.

I dont understand why you want to go from a job to the dole.

blankface

WIZE wrote: »

You are currently in a Job, Why are you going Backwards.


You can be looking and applying for New jobs while you are in the present Job.

I dont understand why you want to go from a job to the dole.

With respect, I don't think you understand my dilemma.

The job would cost me money to keep. Not because the allowance is absurdly generous or anything, but because I would have to move to a much more isolated town where my accommodation and transport options would be extremely limited and the cost of living far higher than where I am now. The hours I would be working would not be consistently good enough to provide for that - the company is in a busy fortnight right now, so when I was looking at the amount of work I'd be getting, it seemed much better than it would be normally.

I have been looking for a job for months now, which is why I took this one so quickly when offered it.

Sincere thanks to all who offered advice, I apologise for rambling a little last night. I was just home and a little frayed around the edges.

Chisler2

It would be nice to hear what you decide to do and how things work out. Good luck!