Grandparets flexible working, I will be going onto Jobseekers in July.

It doesn't make sense stopping people from doing voluntary work while unemployed as they still retain a sense of obligation to an employer. It is so easy to lose the feeling of being at work and to get out of the routine that volunteering should be encouraged as long as the charity are aware that the volunteer may leave abruptly if offered a job. The DWP can seem inhuman occasionally

Several years ago they did say that volunteering was out as you'd not be permanently at the ready for work, then that was reversed as long as the person was prepared to give up the volunteering if a job came along.
Don't know what the situation is now.
It's inhuman to sanction someone for having a normal life while job seeking.

But that's ridiculous! Presumably if you found a job (or they found you one) which required you to work 40 hours a week you'd have to give up looking after/picking up your GC.

Sanctioning someone for doing unpaid childminding duties while waiting for a job to turn up is just barmy - presumably charity/volunteering work is also out...

I have had the same MamaCaz I mentioned that I looked after my grandsons for a couple of days and I was sanctioned and lost two weeks money (this was a one of situation). Which also meant my rent was not paid either. Best bet tell them nothing they are not your friend but will try to befriend you so you slip up!!

Just a word of caution, bikergran: Unless there has been a recent change, one of the conditions is that you have to be available for work.
I have just Googled this, and here's the relevant part of what I found:

3. You satisfy labour market conditions

In order to satisfy labour market conditions you must:
- Be available for work – willing to take up work of at least 40 hours per week immediately;

www2.le.ac.uk/offices/ssds/welfare/finance/state-benefits-and-council-tax/benefits/job-seekers-allowance/JSAROE

Not too long ago, I remember reading about a woman who mentioned to Job Centre staff that she would be picking her grandchild up from school that day. That was enough for them to deem her in breach of that condition and sanction her.

In other words, be very wary who you tell about your desire / intention to work flexible hours while receiving Jobseekers Allowance!

Nooo! I was going to meet 5 world leaders and 5 celebrities and have 10, 000 dollars a month put in my bank account!

Ooooh!

Sign me up right now! [fetcheschequebook]

Wow !!!

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Hello biker not sure when you last had any dealings with the Jobcentre, but things have changed quite a lot!

Feel free to PM me if you like!

Biker if you left school and went into work straight away you have learnt your skills on the job. Get good help with your cv where those skills are recognised. Are there any return to work courses at your local college? Sometimes when you've been out of the running as you have caring for someone you may not recognise your own skills.

Hi,

I hope you guys don't mind me commenting as I'm not a grandparent, but your posts turned up in my inbox as part of a google alert on flexible working.

I work for a company called Flexiworkforce (www.flexiworkforce.com) that specialises in only advertising flexible work opportunities, and just thought you might find it useful. The companies we're working with (including Santander and RBS amongst others) are actually really keen to employ older workers, and are aware that they might prefer working patterns other than the regular monday to friday, 9-5.

In response to the question on who's allowed to request flexible working, the law was actually extended last summer to cover everyone, providing they've worked for the company for at least 26 weeks. Unfortunately, the right to request doesn't translate to the right to get flexible working quite yet, but we're working on it!

Hope that helps clear things up. If anyone ever has any questions on flexible working, we're always happy to help, and we have some resources on our site too with advice on updating CVs etc. I'll clear off your lovely forum now, but feel free to email me at [email protected] if I can help with anything.

All the best with your search bikergran!

Nina

My employers allowed me to go down to a 4 day week when I reached 60 (last year) however, my boss never ceases to remind me how difficult it is for the rest of the team when I am not in (we are quite a small team). They take it in turns to cover my job.

I was quite surprised when she agreed to my request although I think pressure was put on her from above. She even pulls a face when I ask for annual leave now! My DH suggested perhaps she would like me to donate my annual leave to her!

thanks to you..all and yes I'm sure employees won't be chasing me down the street lol but we shall see,I have been trying o think of maybe doing something from home.but no idea what. I have another 4/5 months to get my head around it, but seeing as though I was one of those who left school without qualifications and went straight into work then! thankyou

Where I worked some people were indeed pretty aggrieved that they always had to be the ones expected to work on eg Christmas Day and various public holidays because of other staff members' family commitments. I had some people complain long and hard about the unfairness of it and I could see their point. Government pronouncements are all very well but humans are concerned and they aren`t all sweetness and light!

I understand why you were annoyed tanith. I don't mind at all doing people a favour but if they get shirty because it doesn't suit me, they can forget it.

I meant to add, good luck bikergran

I'm not sure that the right to request flexible working extends to grandparents, although I am sure that there will be someone on the Forum with up to date knowledge of this. Of course, the request can be denied on a whole series of grounds - again, I am sure someone else will know all the ins and outs.

I just wanted to say biker that my heart goes out to you in your change of circumstances

Agus when I was still working the only way flexible working could be granted was if other staff agreed to cover when a colleague either started later or finished earlier and I was put on the spot on more than one occasion I was quite aggrieved that as I was older and had no dependents I was expected to alter my working pattern to suit some one else's requirements. In the end I found it very annoying when people got shirty with me if I said no to changing my times for them. My firm was large but we worked in small teams so flexible working impacted on every body.

Good luck in your quest bikergran I had no luck trying to find even part-time work once I left my full time work.

Sorry I have no information on this bikergran but I don't understand why other employees would feel bitter about anyone having time off for whatever reason on the odd ocassion. If, on a regular basis, would this not be part of their contract and they are paid accordingly?

Good luck finding an employer! You might be best applying for a part time job which fits round the child care. If aiming for full time flexi time could be a way ahead. It's all very well governments making pronouncements but small companies just can't afford to let staff off to suit. The work still has to be done. I've seen other staff bitterly resentful of those allowed time off for child care.