Diary of a benefit claimant.

MissAdventure wrote On a personal level I really dislike the whole ethos, since you have to grant permission for the coach to access your email.

That seems a weird requirement. I wonder if it is legal.

It seems to me that you are entitled to a private life and to have private emails from relatives and friends and medical people and so on.

Have you been presented with that requirement in writing in an official document or just told verbally?

Have you done it yet?

They have access to your online journal not your email!

I tried to find out about this on the web.

www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/work_coach_has_access_to_a_claim

From that I am just wondering.

Is there some confusion as between

a job coach knowing what is your email address as in knowing it is [email protected]

and

a job coach being able to read any or all of the emails sent to or received by the [email protected] email account.

The two possibilities are very different.

This is from the 'they work for us' site.

Dear Department for Work and Pensions,

I have recently been asked by a job centre plus adviser to bring in my log in details for my personal email account to show proof of myself emailing my cv for jobs and for making contact to employers.
I have refused but I was at threat of a possible sanction if I did not comply

@Sago Ah, I cross-posted.

Of course, one needs to be wary in case some job coach is trying to say something different from what is the official rule because that is how he chooses to do it.

No idea about any of these details, really.
I'm an employee who washes bottoms for a living, not a legal expert.
I have no idea what is true, what is heresay.

Under GDPR rules your job coach would never in a million years be allowed to access your email..

As you are unable to do that job at the moment, are they wanting/requiring you to try to find something you can do?

StarDreamer

@Sago Ah, I cross-posted.

Of course, one needs to be wary in case some job coach is trying to say something different from what is the official rule because that is how he chooses to do it.

Is this really helpful to MissAdventure's cause Stardreamer?
Everybody is doing their damndest to offer support in this difficult situation.

Sago

Under GDPR rules your job coach would never in a million years be allowed to access your email..

Absolutly right.

Sago

Under GDPR rules your job coach would never in a million years be allowed to access your email..

Is that absolutely true if the person has voluntarily given permission?

Is it being phrased as a request so that if there is a come back later an attempt can be made to claim that access was granted voluntarily 'to help the person'?

Of course you have to give permission before they can access anything.

the saga of the scans reminds me of a neighbour who went GP, had blood test ordered, for which she had to travel to a hosp. 2x buses and walk, no parking. they don't do any tests at GP practices round here. so rather inconvenient.
result showed v low iron. GP said that v low, do another blood test. this went on 5-6 times over a year. i went with he once and ventured to ask if any treatment for low iron could be considered.
GP said well we have to check the levels first, so better go for a blood test. it felt kafka-esque.
eventually an older retired GP stood in, saw her and asked what regimen she was on for low iron.
she was astonished when we said none. she immediately prescribed and arranged iron infusion at hosp. which continued annually until covid...

ixion

StarDreamer

@Sago Ah, I cross-posted.

Of course, one needs to be wary in case some job coach is trying to say something different from what is the official rule because that is how he chooses to do it.

Is this really helpful to MissAdventure's cause Stardreamer?
Everybody is doing their damndest to offer support in this difficult situation.

Only MissAdventure can say if it is helpful to her.

I am very much trying to do my best to try to support her in this difficult situation.

The fundamental question is that, if my life experience and way of thinking and such skills as I have cause me to think that MissAdventure might be being misled or treated unfairly, do I inform MissAdventure of my concerns in an attempt to try to protect her or do I keep my mouth shut and say nothing of my concerns and just hope that she is being treated fairly?

StarDreamer, you evidently don’t know the position any more than I do. You seem intent on being a Job’s comforter and posting hypotheses which are not helpful. MissA doesn’t need unnecessary further worries, she needs help and support.

sorry to go off topic a bit, but the point was that unless until one has experienced these kind of situations, they can be hard to believe.
people say, well i would have got action, asked xyz.
but i can attest that it is often not for the want of trying.
bangs. head. on. wall. s l o w l y.

She’s an intelligent woman StarDreamer. I think the latter of your suggested courses would be more helpful to her.

I can't say I'm being treated badly.
Everyone has been accommodating, it is just the system that we are part of.

The coaches within their job roles, and me, as someone needing support which doesnt fit neatly into getting a job and going away.

Anyway, I have an extra appt with my proper, newly appointed coach early next week.

I shall update after that.

That’s great. You’re doing well.

all power to your elbow, MissAdventure.
and thank you for starting this diary which does show the byzantine nature of official services which so many people need to interact with.

Dear MissAdventure Would you like two suggestions of things you might like to consider as possible job type activities or would you rather not? Your choice, I am trying to be supportive yet also not interfere where not wanted.

Thank you.
Blooming hard work - it would be easier to get a job!

MissAdventure

I can't say I'm being treated badly.
Everyone has been accommodating, it is just the system that we are part of.

The coaches within their job roles, and me, as someone needing support which doesnt fit neatly into getting a job and going away.

Anyway, I have an extra appt with my proper, newly appointed coach early next week.

I shall update after that.

Good luck with your meeting next week.
You know where we are if you need us! ?

I'm unable to do job type things, honestly, stardreamer.
I think I am probably terminally ill because my liver is so damaged.
My grandson is farmed out because I can no longer manage his care, and social services have suggested I consider someone to wash and dress me, as it is too exhausting.
So, unless am office can accommodate my bed being wheeled in, I'm not sure what role I'm fit for.
Bed tester, possibly?

Thank you for replying.

Here for you if needed.