The ESA Saga, what do you think of these points?

PollySid

I have been reading through an article called the ESA Saga. I have come across a couple of points that made me think:-

1) How can anyone judge fitness to do something without any definition of what this “something” is – in this case “work”? If “general work” is such a universally understood concept, how come nobody can provide a written description of it?

This is something that I have always thought a problem. I have worked in retail on the shop floor for many years of my working life. I know I cannot do this type of work any longer. It follows that I would not be able to do any other work that involves standing or walking around for long periods, lifting bending, climbing etc. What does that leave me with, receptionist - I don't think I have the bubbly personality or look right for that. There must be other jobs that I can't think of that I have no experience of and lets face it all the job advertising nowadays asks for experience. With so many people looking for jobs they are likely to find a handful with the experience they need.

2) At what point is it reasonable to expect someone to effectively change career if they can no longer pursue the one they have had?

As above, I have lots of experience of retail, but can no longer do it. I need retraining in another field. I am a 60 year old woman, with 10 months left to work before getting my state pension. Will they say I should be working then expect me to retrain so that I can reword my CV and miraculously get a job. Of course the employers will employ me over the experienced younger, fitter applicants and not worry about the fact that I will only work for them for about 6 months.
On the other hand, a younger person could possibly retrain and change direction successfully.

Folara

The problem is that they evaluate you on your ability to do ANY form of work. Whether you have no experience is of no concern or consideration. If you can sit at a desk and use a keyboard or a telephone then you are fit enough to work.

They also do not consider whether an employer would actually employ you.

If placed in the WRAG you now get a year in which to get better and get a job or you continue to be too Ill to work and get no financial help unless you are on a low income, and by low I mean none existent. You become a financial burden on your other half who is already struggling to care for you, keep down a minimum paid job and pay all the bills.

If you are still sick after your year is up you also have to pay for all your medication, just to add to the financial stress.

Ah youve got to love this government and their reforms.

Fols x

thewifie

Good points Polly ! How do they expect someone to find another job after 20 years of one occupation and with only one fully functioning arm ? It makes you feel as if you are swinging the lead yet they can't offer any suggestions for what you can do.

I ended up with nothing although I now get a carers allowance and we survive on OH pension. I will not get mine till 2013.

BTW Polly do you have a link for that article, it sounds interesting.

PollySid

thewifie wrote:

I ended up with nothing although I now get a carers allowance and we survive on OH pension. I will not get mine till 2013.

BTW Polly do you have a link for that article, it sounds interesting.

You must be the same age as me. I get mine next year too.
If you Google ESA Saga it comes up on the list. There is a lot there that just went over the top of my head, but some bits are interesting.

thewifie

Cheers Polly, will have a look.

jaja

Hi..reading with interest your points on this subject....i think even if you got a job ...say as a receptionist or anything else nowdays employers expect you to 'double up' on jobs as receptionist there would be filing,,,nipping to the copier,,,bending filling the paper...getting stock off top self in storeroom...i dont think there is any employer that would take you on to do one thing and one thing only...and anyway i dont think the points system is to assess you its just to get as many people off benefits as they can,,,what we do after that they really dont care about so-long as we dont take any money out of the system>>>>>have i got old and cynical??

JAJA

thewifie

I have been reading the ESA Saga blog, wish I had seen that before filling out forms and my assessment !

frogmorton

Too right Polly!!!

Ridiculous isn't it??

and Flora you are right too....no-one considers whether an employer would actually employ you do they?? :roll:

jaja - l have always thought it was a numbers thing anyway - reducing those claiming sickness benefits fullstop

Same as making all kids stay in education till they are 18 from 2013....

ah well....

Don't think l will retire till l am nearly 69 :shock:

Love

Toni xxx