Does being on long term benefits make you 'a bit lazy' ?

noharmdone · February 17, 2014

A pretty self explanatory poll this..

Seen a few programmes on telly about this tonight..

Not related to disabled claimants by the way.

Thought I'd poll GOT..

The Equaliser · February 17, 2014

Bound to, innit ?

Degs62 · February 17, 2014

Not actually an easy question to answer.

Being unemployed long term and being on benefits creates a vicious cycle. The longer you are out of work the more out of touch you become with what skills you had which makes you more reliant on the benefits. The longer you are out of work and getting job knock backs because of lack of skills the more likely you are to stop seeking work and end up relying on the benefits. You are not lazy per se but just thoroughly demotivated to seek work, this can be seen as lazy.

On the other hand there are those with no skills who have never had a job who don't apply for work and are not interested in work that are just lazy scumbags.

I voted fromage au pain.

EFCNIK · February 17, 2014

Every case is different. If you are able to work but choose not to you then yes.

Garrick · February 18, 2014

There are always people that abuse public programs like this. It's pretty common to hear stories in the US about people submitting half-arsed job applications and skipping out on interviews just to keep eligibility.

It's anecdotal, though. I'm not convinced the practice is widespread, and cutting off the millions in actual need just to spite the handful that are abusing the system isn't good policy.

noharmdone · February 18, 2014

Garrick said:
There are always people that abuse public programs like this. It's pretty common to hear stories in the US about people submitting half-arsed job applications and skipping out on interviews just to keep eligibility.

It's anecdotal, though. I'm not convinced the practice is widespread, and cutting off the millions in actual need just to spite the handful that are abusing the system isn't good policy.

870,000 people claiming incapacity benefit didn't re apply when the new rules were made apparantly..
I'm not a political poster on here btw.. But that's loads.

manxtoffee · February 18, 2014

Problem for some is they think the State should be taking pride in wiping their arses. Pull the rug from under their feet and they'll find employment soon enough.

chrissyjack · February 18, 2014

noharmdone said:
870,000 people claiming incapacity benefit didn't re apply when the new rules were made apparantly..
I'm not a political poster on here btw.. But that's loads.

Was that because the rules were stricter ? Or was it the fact they were likely to "found out " . And how many of that 870k were genuine claimants who found the forms too difficult to fill in

noharmdone · February 18, 2014

chrissyjack said:
Was that because the rules were stricter ? Or was it the fact they were likely to "found out " . And how many of that 870k were genuine claimants who found the forms too difficult to fill in

No idea mate..
I'm sure others do like.

chicoazul · February 18, 2014

@EFCNIK @Bruce Wayne

Garrick · February 18, 2014

noharmdone said:
870,000 people claiming incapacity benefit didn't re apply when the new rules were made apparantly..
I'm not a political poster on here btw.. But that's loads.

Not sure about the case in the UK, but I know over here that when unemployment insurance wasn't extended a lot of people did take jobs, but they were part time work or jobs that they were generally overqualified/underpaid for.

The Equaliser · February 18, 2014

You are bound to get a bit lazier the longer you are not working, as you don't have the self-discipline of your enforced daily routine. It's not really a criticism though. Nor does it mean that you are a scrounger who can't be arsed looking for a job.

Demotivation is the appropriate word here. It's only natural.

chrissyjack · February 18, 2014

noharmdone said:
No idea mate..
I'm sure others do like.

I read , somewhere , that people were finding benefit forms "impossible " to complete .

On the original question . If someone has been out of work for a long time . Would he/she be to scared to go back to work ?

Moomin · February 18, 2014

@davek

Garrick · February 18, 2014

chrissyjack said:
I read , somewhere , that people were finding benefit forms "impossible " to complete .

On the original question . If someone has been out of work for a long time . Would he/she be to scared to go back to work ?

I was out of work for 4 months of this year (no welfare for me since I resigned from my last job while I was finishing up university). Didn't get an offer for a job until September. Friend of mine who graduated last May just got a job offer last week.

It's really just that bad out there, especially if you're on the younger side of things.