Today I had my appointment rescheduled by someone over the phone, so they started by asking me some security questions to check they were talking to the right person. 2 out of 3 of these questions were "when did you start claiming, roughly, and what day do I normally sign on?" So that narrows down … Continue reading Signing on incompetence never ceases to amaze me (April 8th 2015)

Today combined both the usual signing on and the special naughty step meeting for failing to do anything constructive towards getting a job in 13 weeks. I wasn't told I had this extra delight at an appointment on Wednesday this week so thankfully Sheenagh renewed my claimant commitment with me today as I have no … Continue reading Ritual humiliation week at the job centre (March 16th 2015)

Back to my original signing on guy today. Without checking or understanding exactly what I am doing, he has told me to carry on doing it. Keep calm........

........but "Kath" is clearly having a gossip about having to move her car, so her desk neighbour has agreed to do it. "It" is still standing here 15 mins later. Oh the joy. Unnamed female (they never bother introducing themselves as human beings) asked me for the booklet that has apparently been replaced by an online … Continue reading All ready to sign on…………………………… (February 11th 2015)

Ritual humiliation at the job centre yesterday involved being told off for not having my paper booklet to write the next appointment in. I provided the response that I was perfectly capable of remembering a date two weeks in advance if by some miracle my smartphone forgot. In fact I have been turning up fortnightly … Continue reading Ritual humiliation at the job centre. January 15th 2015

So I signed on with my Montblanc pen.

You're in town at the same time as people who wear slippers rather than shoes out. Oh, and I learned something today - you cannot take coffee into the job centre to sign on. *sigh*