Author Archives: AUWU

At Work Australia: The Job Agency From Hell

 

22 August 2016, Anonymous AUWU member

I wanted to share my job seeker story to warn people about the provider At Work Australia and one of their consultants (in Perth, WA). When I started receiving Newstart Allowance I picked a job provider at random as I wasn’t sure who to go with. Centrelink told me it was my choice so I randomly chose At Work Australia from a list. I never felt comfortable attending appointments at their office. The night before and day of each appointment I suffered from anxiety. But I needed the extra money from Newstart as I was studying and working part time. My initial appointment went ok; I was assigned a consultant who gave me the impression I wasn’t a priority as I was receiving a reduced rate of Newstart due to my job and online studies. My next appointment was 3-4 months down the track, which I was happy with.

3-4 months later I still hadn’t found full time work and I went to my job provider’s office for an appointment. Because the person I saw initially was away At Work told me I had to see Catherine Kamau, who would later become my regular job consultant. I immediately felt uneasy dealing with her. She had a bad attitude, didn’t seem to care and said it was unacceptable I hadn’t come in for more regular appointments (although I didn’t see issue with this and it wasn’t my fault to begin with). When I saw her she would ask me brief questions, type my information into her computer and then ignore me for the remainder of the appointment. She also made me come in fortnightly to monthly.

On one occasion I came in for an appointment after dyeing my hair and she said “I like your hair that colour” in a condescending tone, as if to question how I got the money for my hair (like its any of her business to begin with!). At the 6th month mark I got a letter saying I had to come in to sort out my work for the dole requirements. I was then given another appointment scheduled for less than a week later. When I rang and asked why I had to come in for two appointments within the space of two weeks I was rudely told Catherine was not trained in work for the dole and I had to see a different consultant (which was incorrect). When I explained I could not do work for the dole because of my work and study commitments I was told it was compulsory as they assessed me as being suitable for it.  

When I went in for my work the dole appointment I saw Catherine, my regular consultant (contradictory to what I was told on the phone). I had contacted the union before my appointment and asked if it was legal that I had to come in for an additional appointment the following week and they told me it was unnecessary. I brought evidence from the union’s website with me to the appointment. Catherine ended up cancelling my appointment the following week and didn’t give me work for the dole as long as I provided her with my payslips and study details on a monthly basis. I found this an invasion of privacy and contacted the union again.

I was told you do not have to provide this information so I contacted Catherine and told her I wasn’t going to give it to her unless she provided me with evidence as per the mutual obligation requirements that I had to. I also explained I did not have to do work for the dole as I was receiving a reduced rate of Newstart and had other commitments. She saw red and said she would add this refusal to my records. She also said I did not understand the concept of work for the dole (which was wrong as I had checked the union’s website and spoke to a delegate). She said I should come into the office so she could explain it face to face. She then threatened to cut my payments off if I did not provide my payslips and study details. I then sent her evidence from the union’s website and mutual obligation requirements that I did not have to do work for the dole or provide those details. I finished by saying she was the one who did not understand the legality of work for the dole. I said I knew my rights and if she did not respect them I would report her and her agency. She responded by saying I was being threatening (even though she was to begin with) and said I should carry out the reporting process. In addition, Catherine threatened to get her manager involved and said she would not correspond with me further on this matter unless I came into the office.

After being concerned she would somehow cut my payments off I said her manager should contact me and that I would not provide my payslips but I was willing to give her my study details. Not long after I received a letter saying I had to come in for a monthly appointment. Eventually I decided receiving a small amount of Newstart was not worth all of the stress so I stopped claiming it. I also did not want to see Catherine again after this mess because I knew she would be aggressive at the appointment. Overall this experience was pretty horrible, especially for someone who suffers from a mental illness and low self esteem. I was appalled at how I was treated by Catherine and questioned whether or not she was actually qualified to work as a consultant. My advice to anyone in Perth, WA is stay away from At Work Australia. They enjoy treating people badly and are just there to make a profit off the unemployed.

 

Disability Employment Services Do Not Work

I am writing to advise that as a registered ‘Voluntary’ active Australian and skilled jobseeker that after 10 long years of attending regular fortnightly ‘go nowhere’ employment provider appointments with various employment providers, that I have had enough of the ineffectiveness of a system which simply doesn’t work and an employment services system which is unable to assist those already skilled jobseekers wishing to work, to feel inclusive in society, contribute, and  those wishing to support their family independently and without assistance from the Australian government.

The ignorance and the way that Australian jobseekers are treated in the system particularly in Disability Employment Services who are left in the system year after year without hope and adequate assistance is appauling.  10 long years as a once financially independent and skilled jobseeker trying to re-enter the workforce without adequate employment assistance, now left socially isolated and professionally and financially disadvantaged, attending employment service appointments, that simply lead to no positive outcome, 10 long years of making the same complaints over and over without change to legislation and policies, denied access to traineeships where a skills shortage exists, denied access to government programmes such as Restart as a mature age Australian jobseeker in Disability Employment Services, and treated as worthless as a mother with young children to support by several government departments who mislead the general public in the services they provide and who take no accountability, when disputing my case to be given the right employment assistance and right to work.

After 10 long years I am now discouraged from jobseeking and like many other Australians, no longer can continue on this path and are exiting from the employment service system indefinitely due to mental and physical exhaustion of the jobseeking process which has contributed to poor health.

As such, I will now no longer be counted as ‘looking for work’ nor ‘unemployed’. Certainly I have not been encouraged to look for work and have done so of my own free will, rather than provide adequate employment assistance and encouragement, Australian jobseekers continue to be punished in a system  that does not recognise its failures and that does not willingly act to resolve with any positive outcome.

‘At Work Australia’ are Bullies

I wanted to share my job seeker story to warn people about the provider At Work Australia and one of their consultants (in Perth, WA). When I started receiving Newstart Allowance I picked a job provider at random as I wasn’t sure who to go with. Centrelink told me it was my choice so I randomly chose At Work Australia from a list. I never felt comfortable attending appointments at their office. The night before and day of each appointment I suffered from anxiety. But I needed the extra money from Newstart as I was studying and working part time. My initial appointment went ok; I was assigned a consultant who gave me the impression I wasn’t a priority as I was receiving a reduced rate of Newstart due to my job and online studies. My next appointment was 3-4 months down the track, which I was happy with.

3-4 months later I still hadn’t found full time work and I went to my job provider’s office for an appointment. Because the person I saw initially was away At Work told me I had to see Catherine Kamau, who would later become my regular job consultant. I immediately felt uneasy dealing with her. She had a bad attitude, didn’t seem to care and said it was unacceptable I hadn’t come in for more regular appointments (although I didn’t see issue with this and it wasn’t my fault to begin with). When I saw her she would ask me brief questions, type my information into her computer and then ignore me for the remainder of the appointment. She also made me come in fortnightly to monthly.

On one occasion I came in for an appointment after dyeing my hair and she said “I like your hair that colour” in a condescending tone, as if to question how I got the money for my hair (like its any of her business to begin with!). At the 6th month mark I got a letter saying I had to come in to sort out my work for the dole requirements. I was then given another appointment scheduled for less than a week later. When I rang and asked why I had to come in for two appointments within the space of two weeks I was rudely told Catherine was not trained in work for the dole and I had to see a different consultant (which was incorrect). When I explained I could not do work for the dole because of my work and study commitments I was told it was compulsory as they assessed me as being suitable for it.  

When I went in for my work the dole appointment I saw Catherine, my regular consultant (contradictory to what I was told on the phone). I had contacted the union before my appointment and asked if it was legal that I had to come in for an additional appointment the following week and they told me it was unnecessary. I brought evidence from the union’s website with me to the appointment. Catherine ended up cancelling my appointment the following week and didn’t give me work for the dole as long as I provided her with my payslips and study details on a monthly basis. I found this an invasion of privacy and contacted the union again.

I was told you do not have to provide this information so I contacted Catherine and told her I wasn’t going to give it to her unless she provided me with evidence as per the mutual obligation requirements that I had to. I also explained I did not have to do work for the dole as I was receiving a reduced rate of Newstart and had other commitments. She saw red and said she would add this refusal to my records. She also said I did not understand the concept of work for the dole (which was wrong as I had checked the union’s website and spoke to a delegate). She said I should come into the office so she could explain it face to face. She then threatened to cut my payments off if I did not provide my payslips and study details. I then sent her evidence from the union’s website and mutual obligation requirements that I did not have to do work for the dole or provide those details. I finished by saying she was the one who did not understand the legality of work for the dole. I said I knew my rights and if she did not respect them I would report her and her agency. She responded by saying I was being threatening (even though she was to begin with) and said I should carry out the reporting process. In addition, Catherine threatened to get her manager involved and said she would not correspond with me further on this matter unless I came into the office.

After being concerned she would somehow cut my payments off I said her manager should contact me and that I would not provide my payslips but I was willing to give her my study details. Not long after I received a letter saying I had to come in for a monthly appointment. Eventually I decided receiving a small amount of Newstart was not worth all of the stress so I stopped claiming it. I also did not want to see Catherine again after this mess because I knew she would be aggressive at the appointment. Overall this experience was pretty horrible, especially for someone who suffers from a mental illness and low self esteem. I was appalled at how I was treated by Catherine and questioned whether or not she was actually qualified to work as a consultant. My advice to anyone in Perth, WA is stay away from At Work Australia. They enjoy treating people badly and are just there to make a profit off the unemployed.

 

I WISH TO REMAIN ANONYMOUS.  

‘HOW THE AUWU ADVOCACY HOTLINE GOT ME BACK ON NEWSTART’

By Penumbra George Gently

05/24/16

Many thanks for the assistance provided by the Unemployed Workers Union to help get my below poverty line payments known as ‘Newstart’ re-instated.

In the lead up to this situation I had attended centrelink Maroubra office in person multiple times November 2015 to the present Jun 2016. Due to the fact that I was getting multiple cut-offs, instigated boy the jobnet monitors, Mission Prividence and MTC Maroubra.

I was having physical and psychologicial problems that persist, however when I was diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder and other medical conditions that require investigation and medication. Centrelink refused to accept the standard doctor certificate and stopped payment.
I attended clink in person and requested an Employment services assessment three times.

Each time I was denied the assessment with a variety of dubious reasons given. When i asked to speak to a supervisor to address the issue I was denied the request and told to supply a ‘Centrelink’ medical certificate.

I returned to my local General practitioner to request the Centrelink authorised medical certificate. The doctor was not aware that such a document existed.

Eventually I got the required certificate after the doctor searched online for the Centrelink document and downloaded it.However when I attended the chemist to get a medical prescription to prevent heart attack or stroke, the chemist informed me that my medications would cost full price
because my healthcare card had been cancelled. At which time i was so broke, I could not afford the medication. I returned to centrelink who once again tried to stone-wall me by assesing the medical certificate themselves.

Next they place me on the phone informing me I would have to talk to the ‘ work participation team’. After an hour on the phone the person responding asked ‘ how i was managing to support myself.’ then put me into a cycle of call transfers that ended in the phone being hung up from
their end.

It was at this point that I emailed Daniel from the Sydney branch of the Australian Unemployed Worker’s Union and arranged to meet me the next day weds 12/05/2016/ At Maroubra Clink to assist in my struggle and advocate for me.

Dan (as a representative of the A.U.W.U) presented in an extremely professional mannerintroducing himself as the above and gave excellent counsel and assistance.

The Clink representative advised me once again that I required a ‘Valid’ med certificate to get an Employment Service Evaluation.

Whereby Dan insisted it is not a legal requirment and that he had received an E.S.A. at another Clink office without supplying a medical certificate.

At this stage the Clink advisor contacted a supervisor who was the person that put me on the phone on the previous visit.

The supervisor drew attention to the authorised Clink certificate and stated that the G.P. had ticked ok to work in the box.

My response was that the Doctor is a G.P. not a Pyschologist or Psychiatrist so the box in question is not valid; particularly since there is a pre-pysch diagnosis of post triaumatic stress disorder and associated medical problems that require futher investigation.

In hindsight I would advise anyone in the same situation to stress to the G.P. to tick no to the work fitness question as per reason above.

The supervisor responded by restoring my payments inclusive of back pay via computer and made a booking for the requested E.S.A. (even though every other peron in Clink i encountered has said payment resoration was not possible.)

A couple of days later Clink contacted me by phone to infome me they had booked the requested Employment service evaluation.I attended and was informed by the Clink psychologist that she would recommend a 3 month ‘non attendance’ period at the Job monitoring agency assigned to me.

However that it would be a reccomendation only and that the final say would be assessed by another unseen beaurocrat.

As of this date I still have not received notification in writing from Clink as to my ‘ Job monitoring’ requirements.

I am now investigating the new enterprise incentive scheme,to see if i can get away from the parasite job monitors MTC job solutions and start my own pool servicing business.

Once again I thank the Australian Unemployed Workers Union Dan from the Sydney Branch who gave powerful representation to uphold my rights and Owen Bennet (Melbourne office) who assisted.

The batttle was won but the war is not over.

Yours in Job seeker emancipation.

Penumbra George Gently

P.S.

I spoke to Matt Thistlewait Labour minister today (as he was canvassing the Matraville) area, regarding job network issues .

I mentioned the Australian Unemployed workers union and the assistance given to me and it appeared to ping his radar.

‘My Payment Was Suspended Cause I Was Sick’

I would like my story to remain anonymous please.

I am receiving Newstart and I comply with all of my mutual obligation activities. I have only once reorganised another job network appointment.

I was recently very sick with a flu virus. I rang my Job Network Provider within plenty of time  to speak to my case manager to rearrange another appointment. I was so sick I kept having to stop talking on the phone so that I could vomit. I wanted at least seven days to recover but my case manager was pushing for me to reschedule an appointment within only two days of the original one. I kept trying to push for another seven days but they said they were all booked out and could only fit me in on a day that was only two days after my original appointment. Being so sick I was tired I needed to go back to bed, I said yes, thinking if I was still not well enough I could rebook.

I had the home doctor service come out to see me, and received a medical certificate for 48hrs only. I was much much sicker than that. I was in bed for seven days and I had a post viral fatigue for another seven days. I rang my Job Network agency to find that I could not reschedule a second appointment and would need a medical certificate and that I would need to take it to Centrelink. I was so sick I could not walk, I don’t drive and I don’t have someone to drive me to a GP and even if I did I wouldn’t have been able to go. I rely on public transport. I also have a spinal disability and lying in bed for seven days makes it worse. My vertebrae stiffen and I can’t walk. My case manager kept saying she didn’t understand why there wasn’t someone anyone even a neighbour to take me to the GP. There isn’t, I have no family and my neighbours all keep to themselves.

Because I couldn’t get to a GP for a medical certificate nor take this to Centrelink my payment was suspended until I was well enough to go to a re-engagement appointment.

When I was well enough I attended my appointment my payment was reinstated and I received back pay. However, if the new compliance measures were enforced I would have lost my payment and essentially I would have been fined for being too sick.