Universal Jobmatch

[joeski]

Is UJM website mandatory yet?

 

They keep pressuring me to sign up, To be honest with you I don't want to store any job details electronically on some system.... Charlotte how do you show your advisor you've applied for jobs? I use the job journal but they told me it's being phased out I have to do it all online.

 

so how are people without computers supose to prove they are looking for work then?

[postggj]

Internet access device

 

Computers inside job center for public use

[jasta11]

Is UJM website mandatory yet?

 

They keep pressuring me to sign up, To be honest with you I don't want to store any job details electronically on some system.... Charlotte how do you show your advisor you've applied for jobs? I use the job journal but they told me it's being phased out I have to do it all online.

 

You register only if your advisor gives you a formal, written jobseekers direction. They can 'suggest' all they like but that's not official and you can refuse. You can show written proof of jobsearch activities and they have to accept it. (Always play safe and put more than you need to on your jobsearch logs, then they can't accuse you of doing too little.)

 

The different advisor I saw last time I signed on said she hadn't even looked at UJ site, so she's going to be a bundle of help to clients, eh! You'd think DWP staff would at least know about the thing they're so desperately trying to push.

 

I'm very concerned that the JC want us to put ALL our jobsearch activity on UJ - this must surely contravene the Data Protection act. The only info that UJ (ie Monster Co.) should have is the info that relates to UJ. I have no intention of putting details of my other jobsearch activities on there, they can be given directly to the DWP if required.

[Mr.P]

You register only if your advisor gives you a formal, written jobseekers direction.

 

Let's be clear on this: Only a JCP adviser can issue a jobseekers direction. If a WP provider tries, insist on copies of the enabling legislation that he/she thinks gives him/her that right.

[joeski]

i got a letter printed of from the sub provider about my next appointment and its says one of my tasks is to sign up to UJM, would this be considered as a jobseekers direction issue?

[Jmulv]

If it's a WP provider then they can't make you sign up to UJ. Mine tried that with me - even put it in the 'things to do' on my appointment letter. When he asked if I'd registered I gave him the 'only a DWP FLA can issue a Jobseekers Direction to mandate a client to register..and mine hasn't'. He just said 'Oh, that's okay then' and dropped it

 

I've since registered with UJ (but put nothing on it) and didn't have to create a Gateway Account, I just did it straight from the main UJ page.

 

Also, when I signed yesterday, I saw a different advisor - who I know for a fact gives out wrong advice - and I promptly corrected her when she said 'signup to UJ was mandatory across the board'. She got the same speech from me plus a few choice quotes from the PCS Union memo and she ended up stuck for words. I picked up a leaflet on 'UJ Signup' and it still said clients should tick the box to allow DWP access - absolutely no mention of the fact that this is not compulsory. Typical.

 

Exactly my issue, they made UJ sound mandatory and didn't mention fact you don't have to tick the box... then I'm told to stop keeping job journal? Brb sanctions...?

[RebeccaPidgeon]

i got a letter printed of from the sub provider about my next appointment and its says one of my tasks is to sign up to UJM, would this be considered as a jobseekers direction issue?

According to the DWP Provider Guidance, the only mandatory aspect for the next meeting would be your attendance.... however, there has been a tendency for Welfare To Work plebutentes to conflict and confuse issues, and suggest that a failure to implement "activities" would lead to a Sanctions Doubt. One of the things you can do is email the Sub, and ask them to provide reference to the legislative enabler which empowers them with the right to tell candidates that they must sign up to UJ.

[Bakatcha]

In your case joeski I would ignore the action plan from a provider. Drones are not empowered to mandate you to sign up to UJM. That can only be done by means of a Job Seeker's Direction issued by a DWP employee, and even then they cannot make you tick the "give access! box.

Since refusing to sign an action plan about a year ago, no such document has been produced for me. I still have a monthly "review meeting" but no action plan. Of course there's still the odd mandatory "course" (ha!) but that is notified by the sending of a mandation letter and no wriggle room there.

My 2 years up any day now and I await my exit interview and the Exit Report.

Edited June 30, 2013 by citizenB

[jasta11]

As the WP likes to constantly use the threat of the DWP against us, we can also turn the tables by threatening to report them to the DWP - and making sure their manager, head office, WP Directors, etc will hear about the report. Don't forget that the WP staff are concerned for their jobs and don't want any complaints against them. They'll happily bully people who won't fight back but they always back down when you quote the rules and show them you'll take no sh*t.

 

They can only report us once...we can report them to at least 5 different people. I always remind them of that (nicely though!)

 

I'm done with them in August and I too look forward to seeing my Exit Report. Written truthfully (ha!) it should say;

 

1. Found him 3 jobs in 2 years

2. Attended Cover Letter workshop, in which he helped everyone else because the tutor wasn't in the room

2. Course at Learning Links, where he gained an extra 7 days basic admin experience in addition to his existing 35 years of skills. He also 'downgraded' to Level 2 as he already had Level 3

Edited June 16, 2013 by jasta11

[joeski]

In your case joeski I would ignore the action plan from a provider. Drones are not empowered to mandate you to sign up to UJM. That can only be done by means of a Job Seeker's Direction issued by a DWP employee, and even then they cannot make you tick the "give access! box.

Since refusing to sign an action plan about a year ago, no such document has been produced for me. I still have a monthly "review meeting" but no action plan. Of course there's still the odd mandatory "course" (ha!) but that is notified by the sending of a mandation letter and no wriggle room there.

My 2 years up any day now and I await my exit interview and the Exit Report.

 

 

 

is there anything i can print out to back up that they can't mandate me to sign up?

 

 

the advisor didn't even know its monster who came up with UJM

Edited June 30, 2013 by citizenB

[Mr.P]

is there anything i can print out to back up that they can't mandate me to sign up?

 

A couple of random(ish) FoI requests: https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/access_to_universal_jobmatch_by

The Department for Work and Pensions does not specify the type of activities Work

Programme participants should undertake. This gives Work Programme providers the flexibility

to design an innovative and personalised approach to support each individual into sustained

employment. Providers will decide whether an activity is mandatory or not in appropriate

cases, ensuring that it is reasonable for the participant’s circumstances and will notify them in

writing.

Universal Jobmatch Toolkit Chapter 3, para 51-53 - Note: It says DWP adviser not WP adviser.

https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/compulsory_use_of_universal_jobm reinforces this by stating:

DWP has powers to require JSA claimants to register with Universal Jobmatch, where this is

reasonable (taking all of the claimant’s circumstances into account, including whether it will

improve the claimant’s chances of securing employment, and whether they have reasonable

access to the internet), using a Jobseeker’s Direction (under section 19A of the Jobseekers

Act 1995).

Only the DWP has the authority to issue a JSD, and even then, they can not mandate you to upload personal information or require you to view your account & activity. If the WP provider wishes to challenge the points raised by the above documents, insist they provide copies of any enabling legislation.

 

 

Alternatively, set up a bogus account linked to a throwaway hotmail email address, omit to upload a CV and refuse the "share with DWP" option.... Miss Piggy and Kermit are busy looking for employment as we speak (ideally as Target Elimination Specialists or International Couriers).

Edited June 16, 2013 by Mr.P

[joeski]

A couple of random(ish) FoI requests: https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/access_to_universal_jobmatch_by

Universal Jobmatch Toolkit Chapter 3, para 51-53 - Note: It says DWP adviser not WP adviser.

https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/compulsory_use_of_universal_jobm reinforces this by stating: Only the DWP has the authority to issue a JSD, and even then, they can not mandate you to upload personal information or require you to view your account & activity. If the WP provider wishes to challenge the points raised by the above documents, insist they provide copies of any enabling legislation.

 

 

Alternatively, set up a bogus account linked to a throwaway hotmail email address, omit to upload a CV and refuse the "share with DWP" option.

 

 

the problem with me is i get to nervous to speak my mind

[postggj]

What circumstances are needed for a job seekers direction to compel sign up for UJM site

[Mr.P]

the problem with me is i get to nervous to speak my mind

 

Understandable. Print out the response to the second FoI request (1156Response.pdf), highlight each occurrence of DWP, and hand it over. If the WP provider then issues a MAN (with ALL the correct wording), I believe Mr J.M. Ouse is next in line to register.

 

Rarely does any MAN or JSD specify that an account is created in your name, only that you should create an account

[jasta11]

What circumstances are needed for a job seekers direction to compel sign up for UJM site

 

As Mr P stated a few posts back, the JS direction is issued if it's thought reasonable (by the JC advisor) to improve our chances of finding a job and we have access to the internet to be able to use it. Had UJ been a solid, reliable, secure, and well-designed site containing loads of genuine vacancies then I'm sure nobody would have objected - in fact we would have joined it already without being told to.

 

However, we know just how useless and unsafe the site is, so that's why the JC is having to mandate us (ie force) to register and use it. They want all our jobsearch info in one cosy spot so they can browse through it, find faults and implement sanctions. I can't see any possible advantage to us having all our info on there, only disadvantages.

 

Mr P - we think alike; my UJ account consists of my name and nothing else, using a brand new email address (which they can't access anyway). If the JC ask if I've uploaded a CV they get the 'Well, I tried again yesterday but you know how the site plays up'

[Mr.P]

What circumstances are needed for a job seekers direction to compel sign up for UJM site

 

Please see Universal Jobmatch Toolkit - This provides the guidance for all DWP advisers. The circumstances for issuing a JSD would "reasonable in terms of improving the claimant's employment prospects and the claimant being able to use the service.". An aggressive or overpowered JCP adviser could also issue a JSD to all and sundry with little regard to suitability or ability.

[jasta11]

Just had a butchers at the PCS Union website..well worth checking out regularly. Here's a couple of snippets taken from the April 2013 page

 

http://www.pcs.org.uk/en/department_for_work_and_pensions_group/voice/april-2013.cfm#Top

 

Universal jobmatch

Clarification has recently been given to PCS about universal jobmatch. DWP has made it explicit that all JSA claimants must create a profile and public CV. A failure to do this is likely to lead to a claimant being issued with a direction to use universal jobmatch.

But claimants will not be made to use the system unless they have reasonable access to one of the DWP internet access devices (IADs) that have been installed in all jobcentres. The system uses cookies, but claimants can delete these. Universal jobmatch can also be accessed from public computers in internet cafes, libraries or UK online centres.

 

and also...

 

When is a target not a target?

There has been debate in the media recently about whether targets exist to sanction JSA claimants as a contribution to managing unemployment figures.

This followed a leaked email from an east London office appearing to suggest that management there did set targets and this was followed by other revelations that the practice was not just confined to the capital and was happening in a number of job centres nationally.

Not unexpectedly, DWP quickly moved to deny any such practice and the secretary of state, Iain Duncan Smith, was even moved to say in parliament that any manager setting targets would be disciplined.

PCS has been aware for some time that members feel pressurised to sanction claimants, even when they feel it is not justified. This appears to be a consequence of government policies towards those claiming benefits.

The word ‘target’ may not be used, but members have reported that they are told sanctions should be an ‘aspiration’ against which a ‘benchmark’ exists. Failure to aspire can often mean a member being given a personal improvement plan.

 

So the JC are 'aspiring' to follow 'benchmarks', it seems; sounds better than 'looking for people to pick on', doesn't it?

 

Neil Couling, DWP work services director, in his blog, which many might find dense (dense here meaning his use of language) recently tried to dismiss the media interest with witticisms, but did suggest that ‘…people being pressurised to sanction’ means being asked to ‘do their jobs’ .

PCS policy is clear: We oppose targets in whatever guise they appear. Any attempt to set them should be reported to a local PCS representative for discussion at a branch and/or one service network (OSN) level and the DWP group office informed.

Edited June 16, 2013 by jasta11

[joeski]

can you create a UJM account without creating a Goverment Gateway account? also if you sign up to UJM is there any rule that says you must use it once you've signed up?

[jasta11]

can you create a UJM account without creating a Goverment Gateway account? also if you sign up to UJM is there any rule that says you must use it once you've signed up?

 

Yes, I created my UJ account without a Gateway one.

 

As for having to use UJ, I don't think there's a hard and fast rule that says you must. On the new JS diary forms I've been getting, I'm supposed to use 'Jobcentre Services' twice a week. This naturally includes UJ but it also covers using the job terminals at the jobcentre, phoning up to ask about jobs, reading jobcentre vacancy sheets, etc.

 

They will probably expect us to use it though, so I always put down a couple of jobs from there each week on my diary..but only ones I can apply for externally without actually logging in to UJ.

 

No doubt the time will come when we'll all be forced to use it constantly.

[joeski]

Yes, I created my UJ account without a Gateway one.

 

As for having to use UJ, I don't think there's a hard and fast rule that says you must. On the new JS diary forms I've been getting, I'm supposed to use 'Jobcentre Services' twice a week. This naturally includes UJ but it also covers using the job terminals at the jobcentre, phoning up to ask about jobs, reading jobcentre vacancy sheets, etc.

 

They will probably expect us to use it though, so I always put down a couple of jobs from there each week on my diary..but only ones I can apply for externally without actually logging in to UJ.

 

No doubt the time will come when we'll all be forced to use it constantly.

 

 

thanks, my reason for asking is the sub provider i'm with wants me to upload my c/v onto UJM and i'm thinking of signing up just to keep them happy but hardly use it, also what the hell is a goverment gateway account for?

[ellie12022]

Just to let you know job points are being phased out in the next few months and being replaced with shiny new computers...(told this at jobcentre).

[LongHairedLily]

Wont be using them, the keyboard will soon get manky and the previous user may have less hand washing priorities than myself!lol

[osdset]

Wont be using them, the keyboard will soon get manky and the previous user may have less hand washing priorities than myself!lol

 

JCP have preempted this by sourcing surgical gloves and anti bacterial spray to be issued to every job seeker, failure to use will of course attract a sanction doubt.

[SWLABR9]

I would think this is so people who don't have access to computers at home can do jobsearch. They'd need tens of thousands though so I doubt the idea will actually work.

[LongHairedLily]

JCP have preempted this by sourcing surgical gloves and anti bacterial spray to be issued to every job seeker, failure to use will of course attract a sanction doubt.

 

 

Surgical gloves? Hope they are not rubber. I am allergic to latex!