Mutual Responsibilities

OUR SOCIETY IS BOUND TOGETHER BY A NETWORK of different relationships and responsibilities – between individuals, families, communities, government, institutions, and business.

The Government has a critical role in promoting a strong economy with plentiful job opportunities. Most people will find their own jobs within that economy, but some will struggle. The Government accepts its responsibility to help those having difficulty finding paid work. In return, people will be required to take up the opportunities offered to them.

Voluntary work can often be a vital stepping stone towards full-time employment. The Government recognises and supports work done in the voluntary sector.

The Government is also mindful that in some circumstances responsibilities are complicated, as in the case of parents with caring responsibilities or people with disabilities seeking employment. These people merit additional assistance.

There are responsibilities on employers to do their utmost to ensure equal employment opportunities. The Government recognises the importance of dealing with people according to their circumstances and of proactively addressing any barriers to employment they face.

THE NEW APPROACH

Clear responsibilities

What is required is a planned approach, which clarifies the responsibilities of Government and the individual. Each person who is on a worktested benefit will now have a Job Seeker Agreement. This Agreement will set out clearly their work test obligations, what the Department of Work and Income will do to help them move into work, and what they will do to help themselves, including voluntary jobs.

Clear consequences

This Government will not support unemployment as a lifestyle option. We are making the benefit system simpler and fairer, but for those who do not accept their responsibilities, there will be sanctions. Those who fail to take up suitable jobs that are offered to them will not receive taxpayer support.

Mutual Responsibility

The Job Seeker Agreement sets out a person’s employment-related responsibilities while at the same time outlining the assistance the Department of Work and Income will provide to help the beneficiary get a job.

If a person fails to meet the agreed responsibilities in their Job Seeker Agreement, they will need to discuss the reasons for this with their case manager.

Where it is clear that they have not acted responsibly, then their benefit is suspended until they re-comply with the terms of their agreement. The job seeker will have their benefit suspended again if they fail to comply a second time.

However, if they are persistent and fail to comply for a third time, their benefit will be suspended for 13 weeks. They can get their benefit back sooner only if they agree to take up and complete a work-related activity lasting for six weeks or longer.

Sanctions are rarely applied but their existence sends a clear message to people who are unemployed and receiving a benefit that they have a responsibility to make every reasonable effort to meet their Job Seeker Agreement responsibilities.