WRAG & Voluntary Work

Hi

I have a friend who is very worried about being forced to do something else even though he's already doing voluntary work. He has no problem in satisfying "take part in a work-focused interview". It's the following clause that worries him: "failure to undertake work-related activity". At the so-called 'work-focused interviews' he says he has to agree to an 'action plan'. From what he has read in the link I sent him, failing to complete the tasks agreed in the 'action plan' can be construed as a "failure to undertake work-related activity". His experience of these work-focussed interviews so far has not been very positive. The interviewer is very pushy and each time he sees her she attempts to press him into agreeing further job-seeking activities in the 'action plan'. He was wondering if he has to put up with this because he is already in a work-related activity (voluntary work of his own choosing which he would hope satisfies clause 2). He really needs to know where he stands so he can counter her pressure from the position of knowing the voluntary work he's already undertaking is sufficient to fulfill his obligations. He has to agree to a course of action with her called his 'action plan'. He said he thinks in principle they're supposed to agree this between them, but in practice he's worried that if he declines to do any more of her suggestions this would be interpreted as a "failure to undertake work-related activity", for which he could be sanctioned.

many thanks

Asbo wrote:

Hi

I have a friend who is very worried about being forced to do something else even though he's already doing voluntary work. He has no problem in satisfying "take part in a work-focused interview". It's the following clause that worries him: "failure to undertake work-related activity". At the so-called 'work-focused interviews' he says he has to agree to an 'action plan'. From what he has read in the link I sent him, failing to complete the tasks agreed in the 'action plan' can be construed as a "failure to undertake work-related activity". His experience of these work-focussed interviews so far has not been very positive. The interviewer is very pushy and each time he sees her she attempts to press him into agreeing further job-seeking activities in the 'action plan'. He was wondering if he has to put up with this because he is already in a work-related activity (voluntary work of his own choosing which he would hope satisfies clause 2). He really needs to know where he stands so he can counter her pressure from the position of knowing the voluntary work he's already undertaking is sufficient to fulfill his obligations. He has to agree to a course of action with her called his 'action plan'. He said he thinks in principle they're supposed to agree this between them, but in practice he's worried that if he declines to do any more of her suggestions this would be interpreted as a "failure to undertake work-related activity", for which he could be sanctioned.

many thanks

Hi A,

As you can see from the information on the first two links on this post : www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/forum?func=vie...mit=6&start=12#95677

The "Action Plan" is supposed to take into account the claimant's illnesses, disabilities, and limitations, and make any "reasonable adjustments" that may be needed due to the above.

I believe that the claimant can ask The DWP DM to reconsider any such "Action Plan" to bring it in line with any of the above mentioned.

bro58

Many thanks bro58.