Job wanted?

[santa claus]

CV's sometimes appear around Hexus with people keen to maximise the description of their skills to improve their chances of that high paid job in the City. I wonder how many of the hopeful have considered the alternative of not working?

Choosing not to work will affront capitalist society (your taxes are needed) and may disappoint your parents but working may grind you into an automaton and you might suddenly find your job has distracted you from the very thing for which you're working: life.

H'ok, so like a job can seem an attractive proposition; a job can provide the things you want (or believe you should have). But there's a view that those who do work are either bribed (single people who want the latest gadgets/car/clothes) or blackmailed (married people who have mortgages/bills/standards to maintain).

Say you ignore the expected work ethic and choose not to work. Money will be tight; no car; no house of your own; no holidays abroad. Instead you get long summer walks, afternoon knaps, no time schedule and noone looking over your shoulder.

The trade off is one that many may not even consider. Most take a job. But is it the best decision?

ps the "Santa, you only work one day a year" has been done. Several times.

[Gr44]

But santa, you only work.... No?

To be honest, I think you're right. More and more so the way the British government is shafting middle-class people more and more and offering hand outs to people who don't get off their arse.

What's the point?! Beats me!

I'll still carry on working though, why? Because if I didn't I wouldn't know what to do in my spare time!

[SiM]

Terrible... just terrible... That is not the philosophy that has made the UK into one of the biggest world super powers...
Workers are needed for economy to run... for food... etc
Besides isn't the JSA benefit cut if you are not actively job seeking?

[kasavien]

That just seems to be a rather selfish attitude. How can someone expect to live from proceeds that other people are working for. If someone wants to live the lifestyle you are proposing then they should have to support it themselves.

Viewing work as a bribe or blackmail to me would only be the case if i was doing a job that i hated, but then it would be a necessary means to an end because i've been brought up to look after myself and i would do anything to prevent having to rely on handouts.

In the end, my view is society should never provide help for people that first of all refuse to help themselves and i challenge anyone to provide a valid arguement against that.

[Gr44]

lol SiM, yeah - activly looking means you spend 10minutes in the local Jobseekers once a week. People make a total mock of the system.

People should have a maximum 24months of JSA support when they're born. Once they've used it, tough. If you're stupid enough to use it when you don't need it and later you do, then tough.

Rather than give handouts the government should make giant buildings, 20 to a room with bunkbeds and serve cheapo food. Anyone mucks around they're thrown out. No extra money but provide help with CV's and some free clothing. People who ARE trying to get on their feet will be very thankful, those who want drugs money won't get it.

Probably more expensive in the short term but cheaper and much better for society and the economy in the long term.

[Tumble]

In my world, money would be tight whether I worked or not - it's just a little bit easier because I have a job. I happen to quite enjoy my job too, although it does drive me mental on occasions - and that I think is the biggie - yeah you gotta work to pay the bills etc, but if you don't enjoy your work then it will seem like blackmail. If you enjoy what you do, it's a bonus and it makes working a worthwhile activity.

[SiM]

Interesting idea Gr44... I don't think it will go down well politically... also maybe, those who have never paid taxes should lose voting rights too...

[stevie lee]

been unemployed for nearly 7 years, couldn't agree more.. although money does come in handy, theres plenty of stuff i need that i can't afford. quad core phenoms with dual 3870x2's and a new NAD T875 don't buy themselves now do they?

on the job front, if you can find a job that you love doing and it pays well, then get it at all costs. although volunteerings nice aswell, you don't get paid but you meet tonnes of wierd and wonderfull people. scooters are great, and i know how to make them go 8mph instead of 3, saves walking.. just dont get in my way


as for SiMs question on JSA, if you don't do enough to look for work while claiming then your benifits get cut/stopped for a bit, you get a nice man coming round your house to check what you're doing, and then they try to subtly make you stop claiming, then you sign off and they keep glaring at you every time you walk past the building... ho hum.

[Gr44]

Interesting idea Gr44... I don't think it will go down well politically... also maybe, those who have never paid taxes should lose voting rights too...

Yes, that's a good one! You should pay a minimum in tax to get your vote... ( not a lot, obviously - just enough to say you aren't a complete tool )

You're right, my idea would be political suicide, but wouldn't any decent idea be? Politics isn't there for the best of society, it's just a race for power.

Oh, also, I've always said that people who want power are the last who should have it. Theres only one reason you run for to be the PM.

[kasavien]

I can't honestly believe that a massive proportion of the unemployed that live on benefits actually vote. It would be interesting to know the figure but if they're too lazy to get off their arses and work then they're probably too lazy to vote

[JK Ferret]

Tbh, I couldn't put it any better than kasavien.

The lifestyle does sound good santa, but surely that's what your holiday time is for? Time off to relax and unwind before helping the general economy again.

EMA is there for youngsters who want to make a better life for themselves. That's all well and good.

JSA is all well and good too, but the method they use for 'proving' you're looking for work is rubbish, tbh. You could just say, 'oh yeah I went and filled out an application for Tesco, and I handed a CV into Sainsburys' and they'll believe you. Why do they not check? The whole system is completely inefficient, and could do with a reform.

edit: grr you all post too fast

[Gr44]

I can't honestly believe that a massive proportion of the unemployed that live on benefits actually vote. It would be interesting to know the figure but if they're too lazy to get off their arses and work then they're probably too lazy to vote

Yeah... of course they do.

They hear Labour will give them an extra £5 a week and Conservatives will try and stop benefits for people who claim unjustly.

I know who I'd vote for if I was a bum.

[SiM]

Yes, that's a good one! You should pay a minimum in tax to get your vote... ( not a lot, obviously - just enough to say you aren't a complete tool )

You're right, my idea would be political suicide, but wouldn't any decent idea be? Politics isn't there for the best of society, it's just a race for power.

lol, but if the unemployed can't vote, then it might not be as bad politically as if they could! and if all parties back it then there is no avoiding it anyway...
sorry stevie, no vote for you... although I do think it is good that you do volunteer work... respect
maybe you can keep your vote then.

Another idea would be compulsory national service for the unemployed...

[Salazaar]

You can't not work and still expect to be provided for.

And before anyone rants at me about capitalism, I'm not just talking about quitting your job. You could quit and shy away from the grind everyone else does but you'd still have to work every day of your life just to survive. Finding your food, providing shelter etc. Really you'd just be going back to a way of life our ancestors lived.

Just don't expect anyone else to provide anything for you if you don't pull your own weight. Ultimately capitalism (and communism) are just the end result of the theory that while one man can provide for himself, when they work together they can provide exponentially more. The two different ideologies may differ wildly in their practice but they are both means to the same end.

So sure, quit your job, just don't expect the world you've turned your back on to respect that decision.

[Gr44]

EMA is there for youngsters who want to make a better life for themselves. That's all well and good.

EMA is as bigger joke as the JSA.

Kids can only get EMA grant if their parents earn under a certain amount. Which in theory is fine, in practice the people who are poor as anything get EMA and their parents drink it, the middle class are just over the limit and struggle even more with debt to continue supporting their kids + pay for the added expense invovled.

Tax-dodgers kids who are worth a fair amount but get cash in hand get the grant.

The kids with 'rich' parents don't get the grant, but it doesn't mean the kid actually gets any of the money their parents earn! Although they probably have a better life at home the parents in many cases probably expect the kids to pay for their books/lunches etc.

Very generlised, of course - but just trying to show why it's another broken system.

[JK Ferret]

EMA is as bigger joke as the JSA.

Kids can only get EMA grant if their parents earn under a certain amount. Which in theory is fine, in practice the people who are poor as anything get EMA and their parents drink it, the middle class are just over the limit and struggle even more with debt to continue supporting their kids + pay for the added expense invovled.

Tax-dodgers kids who are worth a fair amount but get cash in hand get the grant.

The kids with 'rich' parents don't get the grant, but it doesn't mean the kid actually gets any of the money their parents earn! Although they probably have a better life at home the parents in many cases probably expect the kids to pay for their books/lunches etc.

Very generlised, of course - but just trying to show why it's another broken system.

Quite right, I completely forgot about all that.