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Work experience through job centre - can I do this?

Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
I currently volunteer / do work experience for Cancer Research UK. My duties include keeping the shop tidy, serving customers, packing and sorting out items.

I have told my boss time and time again that I can't do certain tasks because it's causing me more and more problems with an existing neck problem. He's ignored this fact and has still told me I must do this. He just tells me to take breaks when I need to. Because of how much I need breaks, hardly anything is getting done.

My advisor at the job isn't happy with this.

I was told that in my first week, if I don't like it, I can quit. (I've just finished week 2) It wasn't so bad at first - it's just now that he's started making me do this he knows I can't do. I am going home every day in pain and have to take pain killers just to get through the day.

I have been told there's a health and safety issue here.

My question is, where do I stand now? I've been told I can only quit now if I get a job - but I don't want to be somewhere where he's making me do things he knows I shouldn't do. I am standing for long periods each day - that started off my problems 4 years ago and standing for long periods is just making everything worse. No-one else does this task - it's just me.

Comments

  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    If you think your job is making you ill then you need to raise it with your manager - and if that doesn't work then you need to go to their boss.

    If it's a placement arranged through the job centre then you can also talk to them about stopping it.

    If it's affecting your health, then you also need to see your GP and get their advice.

    All that said, just once or twice in your life, you may get further and get peoples backs up less if you focus on what you CAN do, rather than what you CAN'T.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    It has been raised by me every single time he tells me to do something I tell him I CAN'T do. His response is always to take a break when it hurts.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    I meant raised as in properly raised, not just a whine.

    Excuse me, can we sort out a time to talk about some problems I'm having. Then when you do, explain what you're doing that is causing you problems, and what you CAN do instead.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    I've already done that and he's ignored my request. Strange how no-one else has to do this task - only me...
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    If it hurts you either man up, and realise that jobs aren't all 100% comfortable, or if it's actually affecting your health, go to his manager and your GP.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Complain higher up. I did something similar to this, as in I was doing the heavy lifting of anything you can imagine for the first few weeks, even though my job was administrator. One day I just never helped (and actually spoke to my manager who was lovely though), so I stayed on the reception where I belonged because it was killing my back lifting/standing all day.

    You should really quit though, the JCP would be on your ass and you would have lots to deal with, but make a complaint/formal [thing, I forget what the forms are called that you fill in] at the JCP if they do.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    JavaKrypt wrote: »
    You should really quit though, the JCP would be on your ass and you would have lots to deal with, but make a complaint/formal [thing, I forget what the forms are called that you fill in] at the JCP if they do.

    If I could just quit, I would. Apparently, I can now only quit if I get a job. I will talk to the other manager about this when she's around. He is well aware that I'm in pain and the last time I was in that amount of pain from standing, it took 5 months to recover. I am not going through that again.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    If it hurts you either man up

    You clearly have NO understanding at all of pain disorders - especially when it's in more than one part of the body.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Melian wrote: »
    You clearly have NO understanding at all of pain disorders - especially when it's in more than one part of the body.

    Erm thats not what they were aiming at, they were suggesting that if it is bothering you that much, to keep complaining till something does get done about it.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Are you getting ESA or JSA?
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    I have a very good understanding thank you very much.

    The answer isn't rocket science, which is why I pointed out your two options.

    You have two very simple options:

    1. Man up (evidently a rubbish plan, but you don't quite seem to have worked that one out yet).

    2. Do something about it. Complaining on mesage boards doesn't count.

    I was kind of hoping by making it that simple it would help you get your head around it.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    I have a very good understanding thank you very much.

    The answer isn't rocket science, which is why I pointed out your two options.

    You have two very simple options:

    1. Man up (evidently a rubbish plan, but you don't quite seem to have worked that one out yet).

    2. Do something about it. Complaining on mesage boards doesn't count.

    I was kind of hoping by making it that simple it would help you get your head around it.

    Pretty much. I've done entire nine hour shifts basically in tears from MY chronic pain problem, but I dealt with it (and I fucking showed everyone else up despite it, because I'm shit hot), because sometimes you don't have a choice. I have a friend who was doing lifting and carrying right up to when she went on maternity leave because she knew it was the only way shit would get done.

    If he's really not getting anyone else to do it, then you have genuine grounds to complain. I'm sure there is someone higher up than this one guy that you can write a letter to at least.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Pretty much. I've done entire nine hour shifts basically in tears from MY chronic pain problem.

    I got hit by a jumbo jet on the way to a Mr Universe competition and still managed to bench press a house.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    I got hit by a jumbo jet on the way to a Mr Universe competition and still managed to bench press a house.

    Yeah, but you're, like, GOD or something. You don't count.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Yeah, but you're, like, GOD or something. You don't count.

    I'm just a regular Joe: get up, make Superman tap out of a choke hold, brush teeth and go to work.
  • Olly_BOlly_B Posts: 222 Trailblazer
    Hi People,

    Melian is raising quite a serious issue, and given that the purpose of these boards is to be a supportive environment where people can talk about issues that are affecting them then it'd be good if we could keep the topic on track.

    Melian - the issue appears to be accountability. If you were an employee of the organisation who are hosting your placement then they are responsible for your occupational health and must take appropriate steps to ensure you remained healthy whilst at work. However, because you are not an employee but a placement from the Job Centre, they appear to be disregarding their obligations.

    You need to make sure that the Job Centre have on record (a written account) that you are being asked to undertake activity that is causing you pain and that your placement manager has taken no action other than to suggest you take breaks - slowing you down and simply making it longer to complete the task.

    You then have reasonable grounds if you decide to leave your placement as to why this should not jeopardise the benefits you are getting.

    You should chat with the Job Centre and make them aware that you are a willing worker, and you'd happily do another role at this organisation, or take a placement at another organisation.

    It might also be worth getting specialist advice from Citizens Advice or ACAS as to who is responsible for your occupational health when you are on a placement through the Job Centre. Even asking the Job Centre that question may make them act.

    You shouldn't have to endure pain whilst working and you shouldn't be threatened with losing your benefits if you don't complete a placement that is causing you pain.

    Olly
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