Fit for work

[Stiller]

After admitting how many died within two weeks of been found fit for work reform is the new word .

disabilitynewsservice.com/i...

[Arianne]

Universal Credit adrift of every date planned my own computer is more efficient !

[Ian123]

Cross the bridge when I reach it.

[ringading in reply to Ian123]

One day at a time.

[budgiefriend]

thank you for posting this. I have to agree with the statements of the disability activist groups. We cannot trust that the government who has done nothing but cut benefits, funding and services for ageing, disabled, and chronically ill people, is going to all of a sudden become understanding, reasonable and caring toward our needs.

In any case, even if they had hearts in the right place, I can't imagine that they are equipped or could become equipped to appropriately and adequately determine who is able to do what and how much and to administer such a system properly so that people would actually benefit and be able to contribute to society in a way that is mutually beneficial.

Sick and disabled people would have to be viewed differently by both government and the wider society before having opportunities available to us, and that is a very long road. We are nowhere near a situation where employers and coworkers are going to want to be hospitable and understanding of the needs of a chronically ill or disabled person. We live in a culture that values healthy, average or better than average appearing people between 25 and 45 in the workplace.

Even those at either end of that range are often squeezed out when hiring, making cuts in numbers of employees, cutting back hours, etc. Women with children discriminated against, minorities discriminated against..... no matter what the law says, we know that when hiring and other decisions are made these people are not treated with absolute equality in all situations.

In many professions, rigid ideas exist about appearance, tattoos, hairstyles, choices of clothing, manner of walking and talking, etc. We all know who is likely to get a job. Why do we not talk about this when jobs and benefits are being discussed. Do the government think that they can fit everybody into this mold? People are so opposed to others who don't fall into a small group they associate with. Workplace bullying happens because of this.

Then once someone like us is hired, as soon as we have to call in sick, tell them that we cannot be counted upon to meet a deadline, etc., because of our disabilities and fluctuating condition (the same could apply for many mental health conditions and other illnesses as well) how quickly are they going to decide that they cannot keep us in that job or maybe not in that company at all?

I have often wondered why the general public buy this idea that cuts to benefits are going to force people back to work. Do they think that jobs will magically just appear for people with visible disabilities, lack of recent work experience or relevant skills due to their disabilities and years out of work, mental health problems, social problems, lack of money to make themselves presentable for interviews, and all the rest? Take away their benefits and then they will have to work. How can people be so uncaring that they believe that is going to solve anything.

I also don't believe that the government is really training anyone to be able to do anything they can earn a living doing. Are they? Maybe I am missing something here.

I think it's a long time till the next election and wonder what will happen in the meantime. It doesn't look too good.