So, a lot of people are saying that the government's ludicrous 'Work Programme' is a piece of crap. I am one of them. It has been created by the clueless (at best), is operated by the incompetent, and does little for anyone. Bear in mind, also, that the companies running this are paid on results. As they are not even achieving the low standards that were set, they will receive less funding next year. Yeah, you see the problem, don't you? If they can't make the grade now, how will they do it next year with less money and fewer resources? They will be adding to the jobless figures, surely.
Trying to PROVE the point is difficult but, below is a prime example of why the scheme is not working.
Trying to PROVE the point is difficult but, below is a prime example of why the scheme is not working.
This is a screenshot from the new Jobseekers' registration at the Direct Gov website. What we have here is the account registration page. Jobseekers have to register an account before they can look for a job. You have to fill in the usual blurb then, click the 'I agree' gubbins. Pretty standard stuff.
The thing is, you have to click the box to agree to complete the MANDATORY Equality questionnaire.
Yeah. You see where I'm going with this...
If it is mandatory, agreement is irrelevant. You have to do it, whether you agree or, not. If you don't, you cannot move on. However, when you click on the '?' next to the statement a box pops up (the one shown in the screenshot).
This pop-up box informs you that you can choose 'Prefer not to say' as your selection.
So, let me get this straight. To register an account, you have to complete the mandatory form but, on that form, you can choose not to answer?
This may sound like a trivial point but, as an Instructional Designer, I know a little bit about this stuff. This is the registration page; the first page you come to on this site. A mixed message is being given. That is unacceptable. I would not have let that out of the building. As for the rest of the site, if you're already registered with Monster, Job Site, Job Search et al, for alerts, this just duplicates everything.
I suspect someone will argue that it is useful information to know that someone chose not to answer the Equality questions.
No, it isn't. Knowing that someone chose not to answer is about as much use as asking me if they like badgers. You need to know, at least, WHY they chose to not answer. Besides, I was under the impression that my ethnicity was of no relevance so, why do you want to know? Let's face it, you should already know pretty much everything about me, as you have my NI number!
The thing is, you have to click the box to agree to complete the MANDATORY Equality questionnaire.
Yeah. You see where I'm going with this...
If it is mandatory, agreement is irrelevant. You have to do it, whether you agree or, not. If you don't, you cannot move on. However, when you click on the '?' next to the statement a box pops up (the one shown in the screenshot).
This pop-up box informs you that you can choose 'Prefer not to say' as your selection.
So, let me get this straight. To register an account, you have to complete the mandatory form but, on that form, you can choose not to answer?
This may sound like a trivial point but, as an Instructional Designer, I know a little bit about this stuff. This is the registration page; the first page you come to on this site. A mixed message is being given. That is unacceptable. I would not have let that out of the building. As for the rest of the site, if you're already registered with Monster, Job Site, Job Search et al, for alerts, this just duplicates everything.
I suspect someone will argue that it is useful information to know that someone chose not to answer the Equality questions.
No, it isn't. Knowing that someone chose not to answer is about as much use as asking me if they like badgers. You need to know, at least, WHY they chose to not answer. Besides, I was under the impression that my ethnicity was of no relevance so, why do you want to know? Let's face it, you should already know pretty much everything about me, as you have my NI number!
And, that is why the government's scheme is not working. Like everything else this government is doing, either no one has thought it through or, like the review of disability payments, this isn't about about helping people back to work, if it is about keeping track of people, trying to catch them out, so that their benefits can be stopped. Either way, it's not good; our government is either lying or, incompetent.
Mark L. Potts
The God of Thunder
30th November 2012
Mark L. Potts
The God of Thunder
30th November 2012
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