Up yours Winz

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Kaos36

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#92143 27-Oct-2011 17:00

I have been unemployed since June 2011. Age in my 40's a gamer by heart since the 286 days have two sons 19 and 27 and when I do work im a hard honest worker. I do not rip winz off I never lie to Winz and do whatever they expect me to do. So to my amazement when I rang them today if I could miss this Fridays seminar I was told no!

I rang up Work and Income to ask if I could miss this Friday Seminar as yesterday the plumber called round cause of a leak in the water cylinder he took one look at it and said it needs a replacement the whole cylinder and asked will I be here on Friday I said yes, then I remembered today that I had an Unemployment seminar to go to at Winz office here in Paeroa on Friday so rang up to ask if I could miss it this week and attend it the next. (its every Friday). The manager told me no and to make arrangements to have someone be there for the plumber. Who? Family live out of town and my two neighbors work. I don't wish to leave the house unlock or no one be there when he calls round besides I presume I would have to help him take out the old one and help him install the new one.

The Winz Manager response: You should ask him if he wants to employ you???

Well since I wont be able to be there and help him maybe even convince him I am capable of doing this work we will never know will we! As I have to go to your seminar. LOL. But lets be realistic here the plumber has been round our town for 20 odd years and works alone if he wanted someone he would ask or put an add in the paper. The Winz Manager has no idea what she is saying. Durr

So here's the situation I took her advice and ask my youngest son who still living with me to ring his boss up tell her the reasons and ask if he could go on the night shift tomorrow instead of the day cause Winz wont allow his father to have one day of from the seminar. I wont add here what his boss response was on Winz but she was happy to help us.

This is bureaucracy gone mad.

Just one seminar what could I miss we are told the same thing OVER and OVER each Friday so I ain't going to miss much!

I went to 2 interviews last week I job search every day online. I do my part.

And to add to it all I am not lying about the plumber my landlord works for Winz office here all the manager had to do was to ask her if I was telling the truth. As the feeling I get is we are all branded liars.

So my son had to get his work hrs changed all over a bloody seminar.

End of my rant.

Worst Response To A Crisis:
From a readers' Q and A column in TV GUIDE: "If we get involved in a nuclear war, would the electromagnetic pulses from exploding bombs damage my videotapes?"

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#538241 27-Oct-2011 17:20

I'd take Winz advice and ask the plumber for a job interview, then you'll have an excuse to miss your seminar :)

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th3r3turn

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#538245 27-Oct-2011 17:29

When i wasnt working, and needed to miss one of these's i would just ring the 0800 number and let them know i was going for a job interview. Sure i was lying, but with WINZ you never know what could happen. They dont care, they are just doing there job and thats it.

kiwigeek1

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#538252 27-Oct-2011 17:59

but then then should ask for proof you did go to job interview.. the kinda thing they
do in oz.. in fact in oz you have to go back every 2 weeks with a form filled in
with address and phones of jobs you applied for else you get nothing..

you have to appky for 4 jobs ever 2 weeks.. and it cant be the field your trained
in all the time

the seminars in oz and here are waste of time and pointless.. might be good
for those who dont know how to write and keep up a resume

but its the same old non sense of cold calling and applying for part time work
or trying to get you on a basic sally army course.. or get you to decide to go for
a student loan and try a new career and put the old one behind.. k sara

despite most are already doing that and basically lack of jobs about in the first place

its a odds game you might get lucky word of mouth..

less competition if can get word of outh then 100s all going for same job on seek

BurningBeard

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#538256 27-Oct-2011 18:24

They really can be a clueless bunch some times.

Back when I was getting into my chosen industry (graphic design) I was receiving a partial benefit and working two part time jobs. One as a kitchen hand, and the other as a junior designer for a trading magazine. I was close to kicking the dole completely.

7.30am one morning, I got a call:
WINZ: "We have a job interview for you"
Me: "I already have two part time jobs, and one will probably grow into full time work."
WINZ: "Well, you have to go, it's today...."

I went to the interview - it was for a production manager position at a fancy agency!! I basically got laughed out of the interview.

13 years down the line, I've worked for two major media companies, trained other designers and I'm now a busy freelancer - all off my own back.

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Kaos36

709 posts

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#538388 27-Oct-2011 22:28

I am pretty good at fixing computers so do this for the locals here and every time I get paid for it I ring up winz to let them know I made so much today etc., just to be on the safe side, I could easily just pocket the money cause its cash but im not that type of person in the end my case manager told me to don't tell us until the end of year then we will add up how much you make if i'm still unemployed unless of course I am making more than the dole each week then let us know asap. I dont fix many as being a small town computers don't break down frequently. The last computer shop here closed down a few months back that's the 3rd computer store to close down in 10yrs. Ive always wanted to open up a computer store but the lack of customers and seeing the other stores not last long has put me off. I wish Dick Smith would open up a shop here I would turn up at their door begging for a job.

One part there I was typing out CV;s for some unemployed those that don't have any computer skills whatsoever, just come round home bring any Certs, references etc you might have and I'll type one up for you. No charge as it takes something like 20min to do one once I have all the info in front of me.

From what ive seen while being with Winz is the lack of job contacts from the winz staff. Last 2 interviews Winz didn't even know the jobs existed. My sons job here they will not let on to Winz if a vacancy comes up they instead put an add in the paper or by word of mouth. Its like a lot of business out there or here anyways avoid winz unless its cheap labor contract work. Something more serious and they take their chances with vacancy ads.

Another thing I suggested to my Winz work broker that Winz should hold mock interviews with personal questions giving us the run through ect. For one I had an interview recently that lasted two hours and was asked personal & trick questions I was quite nervous for one I have never had an interview like this. I passed and got to try out for a day what the work is like. I failed. lol. This was a rest home job where personal care of the elderly was the full time job, showering them, changing their nappies, and feeding them. The feeding part I didn't mind but the personal care made me feel a bit sick. This isnt a job anyone can do you have to be that type of person imho. The reason why they have a one day voluntare is to see if you either run off or stay. I stayed the whole day but at the end of it I said sorry there is no way I can do the personal care part.

A conversation with one of the nurses helped me make up my mind, the nurse was giving me the run through, I asked about viruses. Viruses oh you will catch what they get here, this woman we are washing now has shingles and remember with some patients we have to wear the eye glasses, apron, gloves and a mouth mask especially if they have diarrhea. Oh why is that? Well they can't control their bowels they don't even know when they are having bowel movement so occasionally you will get diarrhea all over you! Oh and pay was a measly $13 an hour... Respect to the nurses in rest homes!

Anyways I brought Starcraft II and waiting on Skyrim next month so this should keep me sane during my unemployed days.

Worst Response To A Crisis:
From a readers' Q and A column in TV GUIDE: "If we get involved in a nuclear war, would the electromagnetic pulses from exploding bombs damage my videotapes?"

Kaos36

709 posts

Ultimate Geek

#538627 28-Oct-2011 11:54

Well guess what the plumber turned up early he said the other day around 12ish and the Winz seminar was at 1pm so as I said before I tried to give the seminar a miss but no go. Apparently the seminar is so important that telling us the same thing each week is going to help us tremendously. So he turned up at 9am and we just finished installation few min ago. That there was work experience I can add water cylinder installation to my CV under skills. What would of been better going to a boring winz seminar or having some work experience. *Bangs head against the wall*

Worst Response To A Crisis:
From a readers' Q and A column in TV GUIDE: "If we get involved in a nuclear war, would the electromagnetic pulses from exploding bombs damage my videotapes?"

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Davy

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#538637 28-Oct-2011 12:11

WINZ try their best in a very difficult economy. Go to the seminar and take a positive attitude with you; and rememberthat despite the bureaucracy that comes with being wellington-based, there's a lot of good people there and they really are on your side!
Good luck with the job-seeking too :-)

rscole86

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#538640 28-Oct-2011 12:16

I've never needed their services (thankfully).... but

The soon to be MIL has had some heart problems, so was unable to work. She spoke to WINZ on the phone, who told her to just pop on down to the local branch, and they would be able to help her. When she arrived, they told her to come back when she has made an appointment. During her appointment, she filled out the required paperwork, and WINZ checked it.
After a few weeks of not hearing anything, she decided to go back to work, as she had run out of money. WINZ then finally get back to her, just to say her forms were filled out incorrectly and she would need to complete them again.

bazzer

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#538645 28-Oct-2011 12:22

Kaos36: Anyways I brought Starcraft II and waiting on Skyrim next month so this should keep me sane during my unemployed days.

Really?

TheUngeek

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#538756 28-Oct-2011 15:01

I am so thankful I have only had to deal with WINZ for one short period of unemployment. And useless would be a compliment.

networkn

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#541525 5-Nov-2011 20:53

LOL this is amazing. The NZ Govt gives you something for nothing, and asks a few hours of your time each week in exchange and you complain like this? If you are unemployed, it would make a damn sight more sense to reschedule the plumber!

WINZ are sometimes pretty hard to deal with, but in this instance, I am sorry but you are in the wrong.

What would you be doing right now if there was no WINZ ?

You don't like the rules? Feel free to tell WINZ you don't want the money.

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1080p

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#541535 5-Nov-2011 22:14

Yeah, I am with networkn on this one. I am sure that a plumber for a small town would have been able to reschedule for another of your completely empty days.

Brendan

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#541568 5-Nov-2011 23:50

networkn: LOL this is amazing.

I find it fascinating.

But I suspect our foci are quite different.

What would you be doing right now if there was no WINZ ?

Interesting... But I have a better one:

What would YOU be doing right now if there was no WINZ Mr Networkn?

We always hear that question aimed at beneficiaries, but we never hear an intelligent answer from those who criticize.

Enthrall me.

jtbthatsme

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#541593 6-Nov-2011 07:09

Brendan I would think there's a good chance he'd be continuing to go to work each day making a decent amount extra in his pay packet for not having to spend his earnings paying taxes to support the 10000's (and I am being very generous with that figure) that are taking assistance from WINZ.

The OP has the cheek to complain that he couldn't get off a seminar to help him improve his job seeking skills when in his own words he lives in a small town with a plumber that manages to do his work solo which as pointed out above most likely if asked would gladly have been able to change to a more appropriate time where the OP had no need no conflict with an agency trying to help him further than they already are (you know paying for his very existence each week food, possibly rent, power, phone, internet and lets not forget his gaming too). It's quite funny he openly admitted as well he was available to go to the seminar in the end but chose not to as well.

The OP states he does what is asked of him which is what take some time out of his day to improve his situation OMG the horror to think one can help themselves these days it's just tragic what the government forces people to do for handouts.

You ask to be enthralled but where's your suggestion or solution didn't see or read it.

There's plenty of people out there every day looking for work, there's a lot that travel out of their small towns for work in fact in my office we have several that travel well over 100km's each day just for work plus there's always volunteer work or unpaid work experienceoh sorry that's right there's doing nothing, feeling sorry for themselves, gaming complaining forget making a effort or taking time to help yourself.

WINZ assistance is a hand up not a hand out. Have I used it before yes on more than one ocassion and I was thankful of it as without it I would have been screwed as would have my family as would 100,000"s of others around NZ.

So how about being thankful for the handout you get and appreciate those who are their each day trying to help you help yourself it's a real shame we live in a country where that's all a large chunk of those on assistance are doing just that though helping themselves at the taxpayers expense.

Aaroona

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#541623 6-Nov-2011 09:26

jtbthatsme: Brendan I would think there's a good chance he'd be continuing to go to work each day making a decent amount extra in his pay packet for not having to spend his earnings paying taxes to support the 10000's (and I am being very generous with that figure) that are taking assistance from WINZ.

The OP has the cheek to complain that he couldn't get off a seminar to help him improve his job seeking skills when in his own words he lives in a small town with a plumber that manages to do his work solo which as pointed out above most likely if asked would gladly have been able to change to a more appropriate time where the OP had no need no conflict with an agency trying to help him further than they already are (you know paying for his very existence each week food, possibly rent, power, phone, internet and lets not forget his gaming too). It's quite funny he openly admitted as well he was available to go to the seminar in the end but chose not to as well.

The OP states he does what is asked of him which is what take some time out of his day to improve his situation OMG the horror to think one can help themselves these days it's just tragic what the government forces people to do for handouts.

You ask to be enthralled but where's your suggestion or solution didn't see or read it.

There's plenty of people out there every day looking for work, there's a lot that travel out of their small towns for work in fact in my office we have several that travel well over 100km's each day just for work plus there's always volunteer work or unpaid work experienceoh sorry that's right there's doing nothing, feeling sorry for themselves, gaming complaining forget making a effort or taking time to help yourself.

WINZ assistance is a hand up not a hand out. Have I used it before yes on more than one ocassion and I was thankful of it as without it I would have been screwed as would have my family as would 100,000"s of others around NZ.

So how about being thankful for the handout you get and appreciate those who are their each day trying to help you help yourself it's a real shame we live in a country where that's all a large chunk of those on assistance are doing just that though helping themselves at the taxpayers expense.

While I don't like to take sides, and normally sit on the fence in forums, I have to side with jtbthatsme this time. I myself have had to deal with WINZ before aswell, fortunately I never actually had to utilize the benefit but got as far as signing up for it, just not processing the forms, instead I then used the bridging funds for getting into a job. I was required to sit through a few meetings etc before even signing up for any of their services, which I gladly did with a smile on my face and paid attention, because I knew I was there to get some help and making life difficult for anyone in that process was pointless.

There is always another way around things, and as above, people have said that the plumber who has worked by himself for years, surely had enough time to fill in another time that you didn't have the seminar.

While I agree that WINZ have a few staff who are often mis-leading with their information and can often send mixed messages, I also know that they have to deal with some pretty strange people (amongst the nicer ones), day in, day out. So cut them some slack. They are there to help you.

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