Thread by @gomichild

Well I think we can safely say that my second appointment with the Job “Service Provider” did not go well.

First Mr Happy at reception asked me some personal questions in the waiting area that I was reluctant to answer, given that I was surrounded by strangers.

People who do not need to hear about my private circumstances.

He then asked if I’d sent in my resume - I replied I wasn’t asked to. He said I didn’t fill in the survey & I replied that’s correct & he asked why.

So I told him - I wasn’t prepared to answer questions like “do you play computer games” or “did you have friends at school” when I’m a 52yo woman who has had decades of professional career.

He commented that it is a standard form.

And I responded that is the issue - people don’t fit into standard forms & to expect an older professional person & a school leaver to be the same is unprofessional & inadequate.

He didn’t have a reply for that.

Then he asked if I’d sent in my resume.

I said I wasn’t asked to.

That I have digital resumes on Seek, Indeed & LinkedIn. So why do I need to send them yet another copy?

(I’m not being resistant- I just want to know who has access to my private details.)

He hands me this piece of paper, his hands shaking.

I will shortly be emailing this address with a series of questions - does the email with my details need to be marked attention of anyone? What format? As an attachment? What will be done with this information, since I have not granted permission for you to contact on my

behalf (due to the unprofessionalism I have experienced previously on several occasions).

My appointment time was set by them at 9:30am. It is the first appointment of the day. I am there at 9:20am.

I do not get called to see the JSP Minion until at least 9:45am.

I am then forced to watch her log into the system - which is about 5 screens and coded to phone

She then asks if I've emailed my resume - I wave my precious sticky note in front her. So she then asks me to tell her - and I'm like JFC my resume is like War & Peace after decades of work - so I give her the abridged version.

She says she doesn't have any jobs in my field.

I tell her I know this.

I ask how long this appointment will be, and what is involved.

She brings up job ads on her screen & starts scrolling through - & I say - are you searching for jobs?

She says yes.

I comment that I am already do that to meet my Mutual Obligations.

She said well Centrelink said you need extra help.

I said no - the Centrelink System decided that because I left a negative answer on their pointless assessment in regards to having confidence in a JSP finding me employment - that I should attend JSP appointments.

Like the system is on some JSP redemption arc in this absurdist storyline - so because I said i don't trust them I have to see them so they can prove me wrong or some...honestly I don't know why even.

I asked the Centrelink Minion over 2 weeks ago to make mine digital only considering my carer duties (of which I have extensive medical evidence) - and she said that she couldn't because the "system" already decided I needed to attend in person.

I comment to the JSP Minion that us going through unrelated jobs together is a waste of my time & hers. She says that we have to do that because Obligations.

She says there is an old job listing for something marketing related - but she's not sure it's available.

I audibly sigh at this point. I say this is a waste of time - I know how to submit a job application, and what would be the purpose of this?

Then she asked if I'm willing to do part time work while I search for full time work.

I say are there any part time work positions that pay enough to support my self and a child and I can just leave at any time if my son's school calls to get him, or can I call in sick when he is unwell, & btw i can only work between the hours of 9:30-12:30,

and 1:30 and 3 since I have to prepare & supervise all his meal times due to his illness.

We both know this job doesn't exist on her computer.

So then she says I have to do Activities.

I ask what kind of Activities.

3-4 days courses about getting job ready. In Cheltenham. That finish at 2pm.

I look at her.

She asks if that time is an issue.

I say well yes i just told you I have to be present at my son's school between 1:18pm and 2pm.

This is not negotiable.

She asks what is wrong - and I say my son has an illness which has many requirements - but it's not enough for me to be considered a Carer.

She says my file doesn't say I'm the Principal carer for a sick dependent.

Me:

She then suggests I contact Centrelink to let them know.

I actually LOL at this to her confusion. I said I have been into Centrelink a couple of times & have CLEARLY ASKED about it being noted that I am the principal carer AND if there are any exemptions possible,

to take some of the pressure off me to support him while he is in treatment & recovery and was told by 2 different Centrelink Minions AND a Minion Team Leader that there were no exemptions for this situation - option was lie on the forms to be a Carer OR stick with

this current unworkable situation.

(The 3rd option they didn't say was of course ask my GP to sign off that I'm suffering from too much stress and anxiety & get an exemption that way.)

JSP Minion excuses herself for a moment & leaves the office.

She then comes back and says that I can ask Centrelink for an exemption as a carer, despite all the information I had just supplied her.

Who did she ask that claims this?

The God of Services Australia?

The Oracle of Mutual Obligations?

The Magic 8-ball of Centrelink?

Gary standing randomly near the office water cooler?

Then she starts to repeat herself - I cut her off and say i understand she doesn't need to repeat it. But she does even though I know the information she is giving me is incorrect, or outdated because honestly what the fuck do I know about the constantly changing sand dunes

that the rules and requirements of Centrelink is apparently written on.

She makes me another pointless appointment for two weeks time.

I leave.