CV?

When I contacted the Employment Plus a couple of weeks ago, having received notification of my appointment, I rang to ask why they needed to see a CV. Of course I have no problem showing mine, which I duly offered only to have it thrown back in my face with threats, I just object to them keeping it and sending it to all and sundry. I was told, quite clearly by the lady in the office that I didn't have to give it up. I told the adviser this on Monday, who of course didnt' believe me.

This seems to be a giant black hole; all the guidance and rules say on this matter is that it's entirely up to the Provider whether they can compel this information. I don't really know the Data Protection Act well enough to use it to support me, but at the very least - again - withholding consent would certainly be interpreted as refusing help that's offered. This seems to be the DWP's ace in the hole; after all why, they would say, would you refuse to give a CV to people who are applying for work on your behalf - you want a job don't you? Thus ignoring the bigger issue.

I contacted Rehab Jobfit this morning to ask what the rules were. They are the prime Provider so they would know, you might think. Unfortunately all they did was pass my number to...the Salvation Army. Had I known that's what they were going to do (obvious, in hindsight) I wouldn't have bothered. They themselves don't know. 

So again I get to speak to the same lady who, with a bit of prompting, remembered me ringing her before and affirmed that I didn't have to give up my CV...well now she's a little bit less sure. Apparently that's what she understands, but only the 'Operations Manager' would know, and he's in a meeting, in Birmingham. I gave up. No point pursuing this at the moment, I'm sure he'll decide the complete opposite and I can do with people ringing me back from this wretched organisation. Interestingly the Adviser said he was going to ask the lady in the office after I explained to him that she had said I didn't have to give up my CV.

I've no wish to speak to them right now. I need to sign on tomorrow (floodwater permitting!). Once that's out the way, and any fallout from Monday that I have to deal with there, is processed, then I can focus on complaining to Employment Plus and finding a new adviser (at the very least).

I find it bizarre that they think it's acceptable to compel my CV on the grounds their 'Employment Engagement Coordinators' can distribute it to any employer or agency (or indeed anyone, presumably) they see fit, on my behalf. I suspect even a redacted CV might be seen as grounds for 'sanction by non engagement'. But it makes no sense to put people in this kind of position; isn't it ridiculous to find yourself receiving phone calls from employers you've never heard of about jobs you know nothing about - never mind their suitability (and that includes the issue of mental heatlh the adviser continue to deny). The end result will be a confused and irritated employer who will likely feed back thus to the Salvation Army (who will then no doubt use that against me). 

How do they expect people to react in that position? Isn't it absurd to just expect people to blithely accept any possibility of any work whatsoever from whomever, just because they are unemployed? Is that how far we've sunk? People are now so conditioned that even this nonsensical situation - surprise job interviews! - is acceptable. What reaction do they except: obviously one of immediate joy and compliance. Is that rational? What if you don't react like that? I certainly wouldn't. I didn't on Monday morning - and my instincts were correct. It was spam. Suddenly I'd have to consider - on the spot - my health issues as well as suddenly being in a state of mind to capitalise on this opportunity; whatever it might be. It could even be a job that's not enough hours due to transport costs. Would that be taken into account by the Salvation Army?

This is what bothers me. If you are not compliant enough in this fashion, never mind if you can cope with this kind of nice surprise, you'll just get into trouble. You'll be accused of putting up barriers. All the usual guff from an unprofessional bully pig ignorant of genuine mental health issues who will no doubt subscribe to pop psychology cheap thinking that does nothing but paper over the cracks. I think that's dangerous.