TOPIC:

Here we are with strict messages been sent out about social distancing yet every day for the last week we’ve seen hundreds queuing outside Centrelink everyday. How many are unknowingly infected and spreading the virus in these queues?? I know MyGov has had problems coping with the demand but FFS the website doesn’t shut down its open 24/7.

It couldn’t be any easier to register your intent online and I’m pretty certain everything you need to lodge after that can be done online. Forms can be printed and possibly be filled in online.

I know not everyone has home internet and printer/scanners but I’d say most people queuing are just there to register their intent. Do it online people. I read somewhere the best time when online traffic is at it’s lowest is between 1am and 6am.

Really sad to witness all the people queuing. Then again, the social security offices are mostly understaffed to begin with, and have been for many years.
When I suggested the fact to staff at one of their offices one day, I was severely frowned upon! Certainly didn't win the popular person award on that day. My understanding is the current situation could be lasting 3 to 4 months and wouldn't be surprised of a longer duration.
The better time for online lodgement is outside of office hours from what people tell me.

DD wrote: Here we are with strict messages been sent out about social distancing yet every day for the last week we’ve seen hundreds queuing outside Centrelink everyday. How many are unknowingly infected and spreading the virus in these queues?? I know MyGov has had problems coping with the demand but FFS the website doesn’t shut down its open 24/7.

It couldn’t be any easier to register your intent online and I’m pretty certain everything you need to lodge after that can be done online. Forms can be printed and possibly be filled in online.

I know not everyone has home internet and printer/scanners but I’d say most people queuing are just there to register their intent. Do it online people. I read somewhere the best time when online traffic is at it’s lowest is between 1am and 6am.

After the eastern seaboard goes to wherever they go, persistence is the key.

Yep Human Services and in particular c'link have been systematically denuded not just of staff but expertise and ability/skills.

One of the biggest changes is that the call centre staff are no longer public servants and thus not paid at the same rates as those in the sites and those in charge!

The loss of expertise is down to the training regime that is now in place, abt 2 weeks and then on the phones, it is ok cos the system has all the answers but it doesn't due to you, me and the bloke next door having different circumstances, they work on one size fits all. Training to be an assessor in sites used to abt 6 weeks classroom and OTJ whilst on a contract so that if you did not cut it thanks but there is the door!

There is another issue and that is they base their selection on customer service experience and not an ability to process work, understand administrative law and any understanding of empathy or compassion. They also do not take staff on with an ability to deal with the harder customers. I will get shot for my next comment but have you noticed that when they do a recruitment process the service at the fast food outlets goes down for a couple of weeks, it seems experience in flipping burgers is all you need!

If you think the robo debt fiasco was bad wait 12 months and see what the fallout is from this process.

Yep the folk applying deserve every help we can give but you need staff who at least can sort the chaff from the wheat!

I managed to log into MyGov on my third try which was late afternoon, clicked the appropriate button to register a claim and that was it, the reply being i will be contacted in due course. Any payments backdated to the day I registered, here's fingers crossed coz my very small one man show home based business has not had a work enquiry for over 2 weeks.

Courior business is skyrocketing with the increase in home deliveries of everything, so maybe I should give one of them a call.