Can't Work, Won't Work?

[AlwaysConfused]

I get fed up with people stating that they can't work for one reason or another.

A friend has posted on facebook that they are fed up of being skint. Nicely, I suggested working. The reply came that they couldn't, because they have a child. I replied that millions of people with children work. She explained that she needed a job in school hours, no weekends, summer holidays etc. After steering her towards a suitable job, she said no, as her child has more care needs than others (dyslexia). My next suggestion was to improve her qualifications to become a teaching assistant - a job that would suit school hours as well as learning necessary skills that she could incorporate into every day life with her child.

I was basically told where to go, as the council pay this that and the other. Sometimes I wonder why I bother. How can people that are clearly able to work so happy to sponge instead?

[solvitquick]

Same old story many Brits want jobs tailor-made for them rather than vice-versa. Brits won't take jobs which are "below" their dignity e.g. picking fruit and veg., washing up, collecting recycle boxes, bin-bags or supermarket trollies. Well done immigrants who want work and pay. Of course you stand a better chance of getting a better job if you already have one.
It doesn't need two parents to mind onw child.
Has dyslexia been clinically diagnosed and how serious? It's commonly used by parents to excuse their lazy or stupid children. Anyway I thougt schools cater for real dyslexics.
There's a class factor involved - they don't like being "servants" typicallly waiting-on tables. Wow, the differences between London and New York City!
Fed up being skint? But they have a computer and are on facebook. Sell the TV and buy a radio etc. Sell the car and buy a bike or two. Similarly they don't need a computer if they don't work and dont want a job.
SIQ,

[Baldric]

Direct answer to your question,
Because they can!

[woofgang]

But when people post on FB, they want sympathy, not solutions!!

[grasscarp]

There was an amazing story in paper recently about a woman on maximum benefit who is adamant she cant work. She pretended to be unable to type (which was probably true with her very long nails) and later pretended she could not lift a potato for goodness sake. In this country we have bred a load of shysters.

[factor-fiction]

I agree that there are plenty of these people but many have got to the stage where they have been away from work for so long they feel they cannot face work any more. And, let's face of it some, possibly many, of them would not be suitable employees anyway- there are plenty of keener or more able people who are looking for work also, so maybe we just have to accept the'cant' work, won't work' brigade.
I do feel though that something should be done in return for benefits, even if it's just a few hours unpaid community work a week, but this is probably never going to happen for all sorts of reasons

[marval]

I agree with factor, they should not just have their money handed out. They should have to do something to earn it.

[pixie373]

I don't see how it can be beneath their dignity. I would take more pride in mopping floors than signing on.

[factor-fiction]

Sadly I think it will be unworkable. I can see all sorts of issues and barriers being put up -'forced labour' claims; human rights issues; disputes about travelling or hours; training and supervision problems'; illness/disability claims; people not turning up or doing as bad a job as possible so they don't get asked again.,...

Of course we should balance things out by acknowledging most benefit claimants do want to work or are genuinely not able to, and there are those (maybe with children and housing benefits) simply cannot earn anything like what they get in benefits.

[tamborine]

dont be niave, they earn more than most. They get social, money from kids various dads, 'bedroom services'. Ask her for a loan?

[Old_Geezer]

Many look to the, "what benefits me immediately most", attitude these days: and not so distance past influences had attempted to downgrade society and doing the right thing, and replace it with self interest. So if one can get more by not contributing, some say & believe it would be idiotic to contribute, and they don't see themselves as a sucker. That there is a moral aspect to leeching off others is not an aspect they seem to consider, nor care about. It seems the welfare state is thought to be there to provide regardless, not a help to stop things getting too bad when you can't help get yourself out of the mire.

[Old_Geezer]

If there is something they can do for signing on then the system is broken. IF there is something that can be done it ought to be a paid job and someone employed to do it, not saved for giving to those on benefits.

I do accept though that some can get into a state of mind where they genuinely do not feel capable of coping with a job. One feels there must be some type of course the State could/should provide to build up their confidence and feeling of self worth.

[dizmouk2009]

I can't really comment on any benefits other than Job Seekers Allowance as I've only ever had to claim that and no other benefits. They are slowly improving the system (very slowly). You can't get away with saying you've applied for jobs when you haven't or saying you can't work because *'insert pathetic reasons here'*, anymore. Within the last month I've seen 6 peoples benefit stopped.

I spend hours job searching every day and I apply for anything, and I mean anything. I personally wouldn't mind being on recycling or picking veg - at the end of the day it's a job. People who are comfortable living off benefits aren't going to stop because they get everything without having to work for it.

[tamborine]

This cant continue while were all in recession. Workhouses or dormatory living needed so 'bedbugs' are monitored & earn their keep.

[Hypognosis]

I wouldn't take any pride in signing on but, if I had A-levels and a degree and mopping floors was the only job available within 25 miles and I took it, I would still be overwhelmed with feelings of failure and potential abilities going to waste, not to mention guilt over the fact that I would have diddled someone with only a few GCSEs out of the job.

As a society, it's a case of Can't Generate Jobs, Won't Generate Jobs. I can't help seeing the benefits system as compensation for the failure to find work for what its education system is currently spitting out.

[solvitquick]

Dear Hypognosis,
I understand exactly where you are coming from. Our economy is bust except for spending money on foreign adventures and paying top "managers" rises and bonuses. This includes the NHS where targets are met by killing off the old and weak by starvation or brutal neglect.
I know most unemployed are keen to work like you but the real full-time jobs are not there.The jobs "created" are just a lie hidden by smoke and mirrors. It's always wait for new promises in 1915, election year, lol bitterly.
HOWEVER I was answering AlwaysConfused's question and facts about the bad apples.
Kindest regards.
SIQ.
P.S. "AlwaysConfused" is a great name although he/she is not.

[factor-fiction]

Hypgnosis- if you had a degree but mopping floors was the only job available I think you would have even more feelings of failure if you turned it down and then languished for months claiming JSA and other benefits. Many people feel a sense of achievement and value in working, knowing they are supporting themselves, and in my experience it's much easier to find a job if you are already working. You can even work your way up from cleaner to something more senior in an organisation if you impress and look around for opportunities.

As for solveitquick's comments about the NHS deliberately killing people off etc, I'm not sure how this twaddle contributes to the discussion. By the way 1915 was rather a long time ago.

[solvitquick]

Dear factor-fiction,
My NHS twaddle referred to the mis-direction of money away from key areas of society to enrich mismanagers, amongst other waste, which could be invested in a work-orientated base. Simply a dramatic example of the fact (or my fiction) that our leaders in almost every walk of life are setting a terrible example with their philosophy of: "grab the money whenever you can if it's there for the taking". This must rub off on most people.
Here's more twaddle for you to snipe at.
The work-shy spongers include the top-most of society except that they get massive rewards and look after their own class.
I shall be eternally grateful for your observant comment about dates. Believe it or not it was a typo but top marks for your correction.
Many thanks,
SIQ.

[DaisyNonna]

Pixie, I agree.
There is nothing more humiliating than signing on.

[joko]

i think one problem now is kids leave school and go on a course for a couple of months and leave it with a diploma, thinking they are instant professionals - and therefore deserve a professional wage in their industry of choice.

sometimes the tutors on these courses blow smoke up their arses too, give them great marks - only interested in their own records - so they leave thinking they are amazing and expecting to walk into a top paid job

i have seen this happen first hand with students on work experience

when it doesn't happen for them, they get disillusioned and angry at the world and blame others - they have a very bad attitude - they get huffy if they're not spoken to like they are supremely important or are told what to do or are asked to do something menial.