You would think that the role of JobActive would be to provide assistance to job seekers of all walks of life. Nothing should be out of reach, whether or not you have mental health issues, or have a physical or learning disability.

But the sad reality is that people who use these services are being bullied and intimidated, with short-notice interview notices, threats of reduced or even complete cut offs of payments for non-compliance, even and especially when the situation is unfair to the person involved.

I created this in the plight of a close personal friend, Joanne. She has been diagnosed with depression, anxiety and PTSD, and is doing her best to rebuild her life and contribute to society. She attends her local Job Network supplier on time, searches for work as normal, and all that. She also has regular psychologist appointments, which occasionally clash with JobActive appointments and/or interviews.

She has helpfully provided one such example (with individual names omitted to protect privacy), as shown:

On Thursday, February 23rd, 2017; at 7.15pm I was surprised to receive so late in the evening a phone call from Ms [name omitted] of WHOOSH After school care asking for a “Louise”.

I politely said “There is no one by that name here, though my second name is Louise…” to which I heard some papers rustling hastily and a slightly embarrassed reply of “Oh?! I’m so sorry Joanne; This is [name omitted] from WHOOSH After school care, and we are looking to do interviews tomorrow if you were interested” (She did not seem particularly sincere or “happy” to be including me).

I replied “Oh, okay…” to which she replied “I see you have 2 years experience …” I politely cut in again telling her “No, I have never worked in After School care.” There was a long pause before she replied “You have no experience?” I replied “No, I don’t”. She then replied “Well… umm..we’re looking to get someone immediately an are holding interviews tomorrow. If you want to think about it for a few hours and call me back.” I asked for contact details before politely ending the call.

My father was looking at me quizzically and so I gave him a quick run down before calling [name omitted] back to ask for a time the next day. She gave me a time and email for 3pm. In this email, my proper first name was used.

On Friday, February 24th, 2017; a few hours before my interview time, my father kindly drove me over to do a “dry run” to St. Columba’s Catholic Primary School at Leichhardt so I’d know exactly where I needed to be later that afternoon. I went to the front office and introduced myself to the office attendant Anne; informing her of why I was there, Anne kindly took me around to the hall and spoke very highly of [name omitted]. I then returned home to change clothing for the interview.

On returning to the school at 2.50pm, I immediately felt incredibly intimidated by the attitudes of and the gazes of both parents and teachers alike. [name omitted] was polite in greeting me, though I had the distinct feeling of being “looked up and down” and not being considered “up to scratch”.

We went into the hall where 3 of her staff were busy packing up their equipment to take to the back oval as the hall was hosting a disco that night.

I was introduced quickly to her staff members, though when I asked if I could help though it was roughly declined as I was there for “an interview”.

Due to noise, we went out onto the back veranda. I learned they catered for 150 students at 5 locations. 2 of the 3 staff members were carrying boxes past as we spoke before returning inside the hall and sat on the edge of a small stage. She apologised for the noise, to which I replied “it’s okay.”

At this point I was asked about my experience, to which I restated I have none. She asked if I had a licence to which I replied “No, I don’t. my father is driving me over depending on how close my interviews are, though I will need to get my licence.” At this moment, a staff member walked in flustered at no computer access, at which point [name omitted] abruptly broke off our interview to fix the problem with security over her phone for 5 minutes. I personally felt incredibly uncomfortable to say the least.

After 3-5 minutes, she returned and again brought up the “experience” situation, to which I politely again reminded her “I have no experience. I have never worked in this particular sector, my experience is within a library situation, helping to conduct holiday activities and such. I also have done book sales, so although I’ve not done this before, I am looking forwards to seeing where it may lead.”

She didn’t immediately reply, though then pointed out that they also have a knitting group after seeing it listed amongst my hobbies, commenting “we prefer the children to feel included not monitored when with us.” I replied “That’s fair enough.” She then pointed out this was a “multi cultural school and being inclusive is vitally important”. To this I replied “That’s a great way to get more students to join especially being new to the area, as when they see their friends enjoying themselves they are more open to participating.”

She asked my background. I spoke of my background being almost entirely around libraries like my mother and older brother, on hearing her mother and sister are also in that industry, I felt a little better. She asked how I attended interviews if my father couldn’t drive me and I told her I then access public transport. She was quiet for about 2 minutes before saying “Well… we’re actually looking for someone with an ‘instant rapport’ which you don’t have, we need someone in this employment with ‘passion’ which you don’t seem to have, so I’m sorry but you don’t have what’s required for this job.”

I politely thanked her for her time and assumed as we shook hands and parted, the interview was concluded. As I walked to the door she asked “what will you do now?” I turned back to her and replied “I will go home with dad, feed the cat and go from there.” She asked “You have a cat?” “Yes, He’s a ragdoll.” “Can I see?” so I showed her photos of the cat not for one moment thinking this would later be used against me.

I was in tears as I climbed back into car at roughly 3pm. I NEVER received a call from Jobs Statewide regarding the outcome of this interview.

On attending my appointment at Jobs Statewide on Wednesday, February 29th, 2017; at 3.30pm I have NEVER been spoken to since swapping networks in such a disgusting and degrading manner. I was in an office room alone with the manager and my case manager, and was vitrolically verbally abused by the manager over an internal email that had been sent by [name omitted] about our interview falsely claiming I had been “rude and obnoxious” and that I am “incredibly lazy, constantly bitching about my father asking me to get my licence.” [name omitted] also falsely stated “She stated she does not want to work and would like to stay home all day playing with her cat.” All of which are complete and utter lies. I never said such things.

I physically “broke down” under the onslaught of verbal abuse I was unfairly receiving, and received only a snarky “If you need tissues they are in the corner.” I was being “attacked” for being “purposefully negative” throughout the interview and told my behaviour was “absolutely inappropriate” especially as she had “stuck her neck out to get it for me”.so I had “no right to throw it away” and constantly screamed at me how I would “make it up to her”. I was also told when this email is given to Centrelink I would loose my payments for at least 2 months.

I was on my own while this occurred. I had no “advocate” during this appointment. The manager continued to rip me apart as my case manager sat back with an idiotic grin on her face, both clearly enjoying their cruelty towards me. Then the manager claimed I refused to take her call on the day of the interview, which as I stated earlier, I never received a call.

My self confidence after enduring this, was basically almost non-existent afterwards. The manager kept screaming at me “What are you going to do to fix this?!” over and over and over again, only relenting after coercing me into applying for another job in after school care, I had also been coerced into paying myself without reimbursement for the certificates required. ($154.60).

My “agreement” was also spitefully changed (and remains) to attending 2 days a week, on site to search for my required 6 jobs for 2 hours and if I leave prior to the end of the 2 hours my payments will be permanently stopped.

This is just one example, but I have also been told of others by her. And hers would not be the only case. This is where I need your help. One case by one person would not incite change, so I ask that you sign and share the petition, and share your stories at timetofixcentrelink@gmail.com so that we can identify the source of the problem, so that we can fix this broken system, and ensure that job seekers are treated fairly and with dignity!

Please also see the petition: https://www.change.org/p/michaelia-cash-regulate-dysfunctional-employment-service-industry-set-up-independent-complaints-process to help push for an independent complaints tribunal for unemployed workers. And for more information, please read the following resource from the Australian Unemployed Workers Union:

http://unemployedworkersunion.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/rights_guide_14_2_17.pdf