This valuable contribution should be closely read.
I have correlated FOI request and a DWP release, you will need this when you go to your 1st appointment at the Jobcentre after your Work Progamme finishes as you may be lied to by your Jobcentre Adviser, with this you will be able to put them straight, copy this if you want to. You may have tidy it up with Microsoft Word.
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DWP Central Freedom of Information Team.
Universal Jobmatch Toolkit: 22.03.13.
Chapter 03 – Using Universal Jobmatch. (UJ)
Issuing a Jobseeker’s Direction to mandate JSA claimants to create a profile and public CV in Universal Jobmatch:
51. Where you have explained the benefits to claimants of creating a profile and public CV in Universal Jobmatch and they will not do so willingly, they can be mandated to create a profile and public CV.
52. However, for legal reasons, you cannot issue a Jobseeker’s Direction to mandate a claimant to create a profile and public CV unless a DWP IAD service is reasonably available to them should they need to use one – for example, because they do not want to accept cookies and therefore need to have access to a device on which cookies have already been accepted.
53. You also cannot issue a Jobseeker’s Direction to mandate a claimant to give us access to their account – this is their decision not ours.
Actively Seeking Employment:
82. We cannot specify to a JSA claimant how they provide us with records of their jobsearch activity and Universal Jobmatch will not change this.
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Press release Government announces details of post Work Programme support.
Organisation: Department for Work & Pensions.
Updated: 3 June 2013.
Policy: Helping people to find and stay in work.
Every Work Programme returner will also be required to register with Universal Jobmatch to aid work search and job matching. This will allow their adviser to check their work search activity online – should the claimant give permission.
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DWP Central Freedom of Information Team.
Our Ref: VTR 2437
12th June 2013.
Dear XXXX XXXXXX
Thank you for your Freedom of Information request.
It is not mandatory for a person claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance to supply Jobcentre Plus with an email address and home telephone number. There are currently no plans for any third parties to be given direct access to accounts on Universal Jobmatch.
If you have any queries about this letter please contact me quoting the reference number above.
Yours sincerely
DWP Universal Jobmatch Team
More…..
DWP Central Freedom of Information Team
Annex A
e-mail: [email address].
gov.uk
Our Ref: VTR 2437
12th June 2013
e-mail: [email address].
gov.uk
Our Ref: VTR 2437
12th June 2013
Annex A
Dear Glenn Marden,
Thank you for your Freedom of Information request which has been copied below along with
our response.
1. Is registration on Universal Jobmatch mandatory through a Jobseekers’ Direction.?
our response.
1. Is registration on Universal Jobmatch mandatory through a Jobseekers’ Direction.?
As of Friday 1 March 2013, where appropriate advisers can require some Jobseeker’s
Allowance (JSA) claimants to create a profile and public CV within the Universal Jobmatch
service via the Government Gateway.
Allowance (JSA) claimants to create a profile and public CV within the Universal Jobmatch
service via the Government Gateway.
Initially, the Jobcentre Plus adviser will explain the benefits of the service to the claimant. If
they still refuse to use Universal Jobmatch, the adviser may then consider whether it is
reasonable to issue a Jobseeker’s Direction to mandate them to create a profile and public CV
on Universal Jobmatch.
they still refuse to use Universal Jobmatch, the adviser may then consider whether it is
reasonable to issue a Jobseeker’s Direction to mandate them to create a profile and public CV
on Universal Jobmatch.
Before issuing a Jobseeker’s Direction the adviser will take a claimant’s individual
circumstances into account including whether they have access to the internet or not.
circumstances into account including whether they have access to the internet or not.
Jobseeker’s Directions require Jobseeker’s Allowance claimants to take specific actions which
will help them find work, and failure to do so without good reason may result in a benefit
sanction. Jobseeker’s Directions can be issued under section 19A(2)(c) of the Jobseekers Act
1995.
will help them find work, and failure to do so without good reason may result in a benefit
sanction. Jobseeker’s Directions can be issued under section 19A(2)(c) of the Jobseekers Act
1995.
2. Does a Jobseeker on Benefits have to enable, tick the online account boxes, to allow a
Jobcentre Adviser to see all their personal jobseeking activity?
Jobcentre Adviser to see all their personal jobseeking activity?
Claimants can choose to allow DWP access to their account on a purely voluntary basis by
ticking a box within their UJ profile.
ticking a box within their UJ profile.
3. Can the Jobseeker register but not consent to let the Adviser view activity leave box
unticked?
unticked?
Access to your Universal Jobmatch account is only available to DWP staff once you have
given your consent; this is on a voluntary basis.
given your consent; this is on a voluntary basis.
4. Has there been a change recently in 2013 to data protection and privacy laws to force
anyone claiming benefits that they should be forced or coerced into using the Universal
Jobmatch website.?
anyone claiming benefits that they should be forced or coerced into using the Universal
Jobmatch website.?
Jobcentre Plus advisers are able to require Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) claimants to register
with Universal Jobmatch (UJ) and to upload a CV where the requirement is reasonable taking
into account all of the claimant’s circumstances. The JSA claimant then has a choice about
whether to give permission for DWP advisers to access their account. If the claimant aqrees to
adviser access, their adviser will be able to look at their UJ account to see whether they have
uploaded a CV as required.
with Universal Jobmatch (UJ) and to upload a CV where the requirement is reasonable taking
into account all of the claimant’s circumstances. The JSA claimant then has a choice about
whether to give permission for DWP advisers to access their account. If the claimant aqrees to
adviser access, their adviser will be able to look at their UJ account to see whether they have
uploaded a CV as required.
If the claimant does not agree to adviser access, they will need to provide proof to their adviser
to show that they have registered with UJ and uploaded a CV, as required. They can do this,
for example, by printing off copies of the relevant screens. Requirements that can be imposed
on JSA claimants in relation to UJ are compatible with the European Convention on Human
Rights or Human Rights Act 1998.
to show that they have registered with UJ and uploaded a CV, as required. They can do this,
for example, by printing off copies of the relevant screens. Requirements that can be imposed
on JSA claimants in relation to UJ are compatible with the European Convention on Human
Rights or Human Rights Act 1998.
DWP has powers to require JSA claimants to register with Universal Jobmatch, where this is
reasonable (taking all of the claimant’s circumstances into account, including whether it will
improve the claimant’s chances of securing employment, and whether they have reasonable
access to the internet), using a Jobseeker’s Direction (under section 19A of the Jobseekers
Act 1995). It is not necessary for DWP to obtain the claimant’s consent for such processing to
be lawful. Use of Universal Jobmatch does not require the user to waive their rights under the
Data Protection Act.
reasonable (taking all of the claimant’s circumstances into account, including whether it will
improve the claimant’s chances of securing employment, and whether they have reasonable
access to the internet), using a Jobseeker’s Direction (under section 19A of the Jobseekers
Act 1995). It is not necessary for DWP to obtain the claimant’s consent for such processing to
be lawful. Use of Universal Jobmatch does not require the user to waive their rights under the
Data Protection Act.
The Department for Work and Pensions takes its responsibility as data controller for the
information that we control very seriously. Universal Jobmatch was designed with the privacy
and confidentiality of the jobseekers information at the forefront.
information that we control very seriously. Universal Jobmatch was designed with the privacy
and confidentiality of the jobseekers information at the forefront.
Employers cannot access jobseekers’ personal data or CVs unless the jobseeker applies for a
job or replies to an invitation to apply. Prior to that point only very high level, anonymous
jobseeker information around skills and experience is available to employers when they have
conducted a jobseeker search.
job or replies to an invitation to apply. Prior to that point only very high level, anonymous
jobseeker information around skills and experience is available to employers when they have
conducted a jobseeker search.
The Universal Jobmatch jobseeker Standards of Behaviour advise that you should not be
asked to reveal personal details such as bank account details, National Insurance number,
date of birth, driving licence or utility bill information as these items are not relevant to an
application process. This does not negate our responsibilities as data controllers but is meant
to help the jobseeker with general advice about their information when they exercise their
rights as the data subject when searching for employment.
asked to reveal personal details such as bank account details, National Insurance number,
date of birth, driving licence or utility bill information as these items are not relevant to an
application process. This does not negate our responsibilities as data controllers but is meant
to help the jobseeker with general advice about their information when they exercise their
rights as the data subject when searching for employment.
5. Is it mandatory requirement that job centre plus or workprogramme providers should have
peoples phone numbers and personal email address on their computer systems? If not can
these be requested to be removed without any fear of sanctions?
It is not mandatory for a person claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance to supply Jobcentre Plus with
an email address and home telephone number. There are currently no plans for any third
parties to be given direct access to accounts on Universal Jobmatch.
If you have any queries about this letter please contact me quoting the reference number
above.
above.
Yours sincerely,
DWP Universal Jobmatch Team
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Your right to complain under the Freedom of Information Act
Your right to complain under the Freedom of Information Act
If you are not happy with this response you may request an internal review by e-mailing freedom-of-information-[email address] or by writing to DWP, Central FoI Team, Caxton House, Tothill Street, SW1H 9NA. Anyreview request should be submitted within two months of the date of this letter.
If you are not content with the outcome of the internal review you may apply directly to the Information
Commissioner’s Office for a decision. Generally the Commissioner cannot make a decision unless you have
exhausted our own complaints procedure.
Commissioner’s Office for a decision. Generally the Commissioner cannot make a decision unless you have
exhausted our own complaints procedure.
The Information Commissioner can be contacted at:
The Information Commissioner’s Office,
Wycliffe House,
Water Lane,
Wilmslow
Cheshire SK9 5AF
www.ico.gov.uk
