In a routine appointment with my personal Job Centre Plus adviser last October, I was informed of an open day for people interested in potential retail jobs. Having been unemployed for some time, I was more than happy to attend, and was told by my adviser that, if chosen, I would undergo a week's "training" followed by a guaranteed job interview. It quickly became clear at the open day, however, that the period of "training" would potentially last for up to six weeks. I explained to my adviser my reservations about taking part: I was already in the middle of a work experience placement that I had organised for myself (and which was more relevant to the museum career I hope to pursue), and I already had retail experience.

I thought the "training" was optional, and it came as a shock to be told I was required to attend or risk cancellation or reduction of my £53 per week jobseekers' allowance – despite the fact I have always actively sought paid work. So I began the "placement" with Poundland – it was not training, but two weeks' unpaid work stacking shelves and cleaning floors. I came out with nothing; Poundland gained considerably.

I work for an organisation that is part of the supply chain delivering the Work Programme. The terms under which we work are dictated by the Department for Work and Pensions contract; there is no variation or choice. ...

DWP will only "pay for results". Even if we, as a supplier of the Work Programme, get a client into work we are not rewarded...

Payment will only be forthcoming after six months of "sustainable employment". The government is expecting charitable organisations like mine to lend money to subsidise a government department....

Unemployed waster forced to do something useful for a change. Work in a poncy museum? Ha! This is the real world, bitch - take this mop and broom and start contributing to society.

The work programme or aka work for no pay is a travesty.

I personally know a fifty-six year old man who worked at Tesco for 40 hrs a week for 6 weeks for no pay. He said he was given the worst job, constantly filling freezers in the hope he would be taken on. After the 6 weeks were up the manager asked him if he would like to stay on for some extra weeks, my friend asked "with pay"? The manager said why would he pay him when he can pick the phone up and get more unemployed people who have to work for nothing of face sanctions meaning loss of ALL benefits for up to three years!

My friend wasn't alone, he was part of twelve extra staff taken on to cover the xmas rush, no one was given a job at the end of the xmas period.

He told me they had all worked really hard and were gutted they were abused in such a way. The worst was one day he had to throw out lots of food one day over the use by date. He asked the manager if he could take some home as he was having to eat more due to being active all day. The manager refused saying if he gave him free food he wouldn't come through the front door and buy it!

I swear I will never shop at Tesco ever again.

...After the 6 weeks were up the manager asked him if he would like to stay on for some extra weeks, my friend asked "with pay"? The manager said why would he pay him when he can pick the phone up and get more unemployed people who have to work for nothing of face sanctions meaning loss of ALL benefits for up to three years!

I will cover this in a post later but as an American Idler I will say if you take government help ,the dole or in the US social services help, you have to accept the government rules.

I will cover this in a post later but as an American Idler I will say if you take government help ,the dole or in the US social services help, you have to accept the government rules.