Jobcentre call handlers strike over oppressive target-driven culture

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PCS Comment

13 August 2012

Jobcentre staff who deal with calls from people entitled to benefits and crisis loans are striking today (13 August) over oppressive working conditions and unrealistic targets.

More than 6,000 PCS members in 32 call centres in England, Scotland and Wales have reignited industrial action first taken last year against draconian conditions that prevent them from providing the kind of service callers require and deserve.

Despite negotiations and a review of services designed to ease the excessive target-driven culture, jobcentre management is still refusing to give staff the flexibility they need to deal with enquiries fully and professionally. A shortage of staff is also adding to problems.

Some flexibility to the targets allowed for call handling times has been introduced, but set at arbitrary levels that, worryingly, favour shorter calls over ones that might take a bit longer.

The union says this appears to confirm fears that jobcentre bosses are only interested in getting claimants off the phone rather than dealing with their enquiries properly.

PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said: "With unemployment remaining high and our economy in the grip of recession, it is shameful that jobcentre bosses are still refusing to let their staff provide the kind of help and advice that people need.

"These call centres provide a vital lifeline. Enquiries are often complicated, and people struggling to find their way around the benefits system are often understandably desperate and upset, but staff are being forced to end calls as quickly as possible just to meet an artificial target.

"Our members care about the services they provide and they want to be able to help people properly, not have to fob them off."

Show your support by emailing solidarity@pcs.org.uk

Public and Commercial Services Union