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UC Complaint and Retaliation Concerns
- Clare
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2 years 4 months ago #273106 by Clare
UC Complaint and Retaliation Concerns was created by Clare
Hi all,
I have had to complain a few times about my local jobcentre being obstructive regarding reasonable adjustments for my severe anxiety and agoraphobia. An issue regarding an upcoming interview next week has finally been resolved after having to write to a lot of senior managers - finally it has been confirmed that the appointment will be by phone. I am relieved about this but I am worried about possible retaliation because the head of the jobcentre was trying to make me come in for a face-to-face interview and she's obviously now been overruled. Also, it's not the first time I have successfully challenged her decisions.
Prior to me getting the appointment changed, my local jobcentre kept calling me to "discuss my complaint" but I did not pick the phone up for these unscheduled calls because 1) the local office was blatently ignoring my journal and email requests for a phone appointment which could have easily been changed with the click of a button and 2) I did not want to verbally discuss my complaint with the office I was complaining about; I like things to be in writing.
Anyway, now the appointment has been finally changed to a phone appointment, I got this message on my journal:
"Your appointment for 5th September 2022 has been kept for the same time however we have adjusted it to show it is BY PHONE. Please ensure you are available to take this telephone call."
As you can see, the "by phone" is in CAPS. Furthermore, the person is trying to insinuate that I might not be available for the scheduled call because there are notes on my journal that I was not answering the phone for unscheduled calls relating to my complaint as I explained above.
I just feel uneasy about the implication that I might not be available for a scheduled phone interview. (I have never missed any mandated appointment with the jobcentre.) I am worried that they might not call for my appointment and pretend that I wasn't available. Any ideas on what I can do to safeguard against any potential accusations?
I have had to complain a few times about my local jobcentre being obstructive regarding reasonable adjustments for my severe anxiety and agoraphobia. An issue regarding an upcoming interview next week has finally been resolved after having to write to a lot of senior managers - finally it has been confirmed that the appointment will be by phone. I am relieved about this but I am worried about possible retaliation because the head of the jobcentre was trying to make me come in for a face-to-face interview and she's obviously now been overruled. Also, it's not the first time I have successfully challenged her decisions.
Prior to me getting the appointment changed, my local jobcentre kept calling me to "discuss my complaint" but I did not pick the phone up for these unscheduled calls because 1) the local office was blatently ignoring my journal and email requests for a phone appointment which could have easily been changed with the click of a button and 2) I did not want to verbally discuss my complaint with the office I was complaining about; I like things to be in writing.
Anyway, now the appointment has been finally changed to a phone appointment, I got this message on my journal:
"Your appointment for 5th September 2022 has been kept for the same time however we have adjusted it to show it is BY PHONE. Please ensure you are available to take this telephone call."
As you can see, the "by phone" is in CAPS. Furthermore, the person is trying to insinuate that I might not be available for the scheduled call because there are notes on my journal that I was not answering the phone for unscheduled calls relating to my complaint as I explained above.
I just feel uneasy about the implication that I might not be available for a scheduled phone interview. (I have never missed any mandated appointment with the jobcentre.) I am worried that they might not call for my appointment and pretend that I wasn't available. Any ideas on what I can do to safeguard against any potential accusations?
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- BIS
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2 years 4 months ago #273231 by BIS
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by BIS on topic UC Complaint and Retaliation Concerns
Hi Clare
I understand your concerns, and I hope they won't try any dirty tricks. Whether they phone you on a mobile or a landline, you will always have a record of who has called you, and you provide proof if they say they have phoned you and they haven't. I hope it won't be necessary.
BIS
I understand your concerns, and I hope they won't try any dirty tricks. Whether they phone you on a mobile or a landline, you will always have a record of who has called you, and you provide proof if they say they have phoned you and they haven't. I hope it won't be necessary.
BIS
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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