PS I have just read some of the threads in this section of the forum. My problem is trivial compared to a lot of the issues and problems I have read on here. It is bugging me though!

Hi I was fortunate enough to secure a job offer roughly 2 weeks ago. I started the job Monday, and I like the workplace and people so far. Last week I had an interview for another job (a job with arguably better prospects and pays better wages), this interview had been arranged 2 or 3 weeks ago. On Monday of this week I had an answer phone message and checked it during my lunch break and it was regarding the interview last week. They have now also offered me a job, start next Tuesday, I was so happy I accepted on the spot. So the problem is that I started a job on Monday, was then offered a better job later on that same Monday morning. I am definitely going to take this 2nd job offer as IMO it's a better job. I haven't yet told my "current employer" albeit I've only worked for them for 2 days. My friends and family say I am right not to tell them as "what if the 2nd job offer is withdrawn later this week and you've already resigned" So in theory could lose 2 jobs in a matter of days. What do you think, I 110% will be taking this 2nd job offer. I've worked 2 days for this first company now so certainly want to be paid for them. I am, however, scaed about telling them as I have yet to start at this 2nd job and that job could disappear if a random boss decided to cutback staff! In this current job I am only being trained, for next 3 weeks, so I certainly do not see any issue of me working a notice period. They would simply be incurring a bills of my wages when, at present, I am very little use to them. Your thoughts? Will I definitely get paid for days I've worked this week? I wasn't going to go in to work today as I feel a bit sneaky doing it but my father said something like "you must be mad, you've got a job, do it for rest of week until you start this next one. It's dog eat dog. If you resign you risk ending up with nothing" my mates say pretty much the same. I'm sorry that my current employer has got an employee that is leaving after just a week, having started to train me, but surely 99.9% of people are going to take a much better job that comes up so quickly? I'm sympathetic to this 1st company but my priority is my future. Hope I've explained it clearly.

thanks for giving a follow up. Glad it went well.

yes I've had the meeting & the chap was understanding, at the end of the day if you're anything like me you're living on a shoestring. Had an overpayment of about 100 quid over a 6 month period. You've made an honest mistake, go in with your head held high. Certainly no question of fraud.

Nothing to worry about pal. You'll just have to pay the small amount back, as for the £50 off your mother every month that's none of their concern I would say. They won't even know about it, they're only questioning the other payments as it was taxable. A very small untaxable gift(s) from your monther is none of the DWP's business IMO. Now if she was giving you £1500 every month then fair enough!

Out of interest I have just been doing a search. This link seems to set out sentencing powers, it's number 62 in the list. From this it mentions nothing about a caution as a sentencing power, apologies if I raised your hopes incorrectly. From reading it I think the "good news" is sentence would be small fine and/or community service. It also states the fact that the money has been recovered has no impact whatsoever on the type of sentence that is imposed. http://www.northants.police.uk/files/linked/WCU/Magistrate%20Sentencing%20Guidelines.pdf

Yes the police issued my caution, though I of course wasn't obliged to accept it. If I'd refused they would have sent it to the CPS, who would have decided whether it is worth taking to the magistrates court. Research after led me to believe the CPS probably wouldn't have continued with case as a magistrate may have well just given me a caution for it. I'm not suggesting the police are involved in this case, I'm not just saying that magistrates do have the option of issuing cautions themselves. Don't hold me to that, it's just what research into my own matter led me to believe.

yes I believe it is. Last year I was arrested at a football stadium for having 4 cans of unopened lager in a bag. I was very angry about this as seemed way OTT. Anyway, I accepted a caution 'Possession of intoxicating liquor when entering a sports ground'. Afterwards, I was angry with myself for accepting and wished I'd instead see if they'd take me to court. After doing research the general consensus was that I should have just taken it to court. Why? Well as I'd never offended and there was mitigating circumstances the judge was highly likely that even if I was found guilty he'd only had me a caution. Although you've done wrong I feel you would be shown some leniency given you quickly paid the cash back, plus your savings were "locked down" up rather than available to you. Like I say, I'm talking purely as a layman here. Perhaps you could pay one of those online solicitors for their expert opinion, though I stress I can't vouch for their authenticity or fees they charge. All the best.

so presumably the basis of your argument is going to be that you did not declare your savings (£16K) as you believed you did not need to as you then had no access to the savings? From reading the thread I'm speculating you've since had access to the savings? (Now £10K) but you again have no access to them (until December). As an impartial person looking in I would have to side with the prosecution from the evidence at hand TBH. I'm very sorry that this has happened to you and can see how easily it is for these things to develop. No idea of what punishment you would receive, though I'd be stunned if you were imprisoned. Hope it turns out ok for you, best case scenario would be a caution I guess. That's me talking purely as a layman.

It's a pleasure! I'm very grateful and pleased to have found this wonderful resource.

Panorama used to be a decent watch "back in the day" but since they condensed it into just 30mins shows it doesn't have sufficient time to going into any great detail.

afternoon all, just posting the update as had the interview today. Yes it was relating to me working these 3 days over this 4 month period. I had the wage slips still so took them with me. The chap was nice enough and he said that I would most likely have to pay benefits for the 3 weeks concerning these 3 days worked. He said will send the docs to whoever deals with it and they will then write to me. Presumably I'll be deducted out of JSA. Obviously my case was quite straightforward & it would appear I've only claimed approx 100 quid which I never realised I shouldn't have. The room where the interview was conducted was quite formal however & took place with a screen in between myself and the interviewer, plus a hatch to exchange documents. Not sure if that is standard procedure for these type of interviews. I can understand why they do it that way though TBH, I guess a small but significant minority of people can turn nasty from time to time. Sincere thanks to all who advised me beforehand.

That is excellent! Sincere thanks Fredriko.

yes I will certainly come back and advise you of the outcome in a fortnight. I'm a born worrier and am now thinking about calling them and enquiring if my new found knowledge is correct and I owe them JSA back. I'm not sure how that would look though, would it look like I'm only calling cos I've been found out!? Happy to pay the cash if I've claimed something not entitled but worry I'd look a bit sneaky if I ring up.

just saw your latest post, thank you. It has put my mind at rest a bit.