I've been attending twice a week for some weeks now at the Working Links offices in Cardiff but next week I will only have to attend once as the consultant I am supposed to see is on holiday for part of next week. It seems if you wish hard enough your wishes can come true but sadly I will probably be back attending twice a week after next week. I don't have to go to the jobcentre for my fortnightly signing this week as the jobcentre staff at Caradog House are on strike on 10th may. I noticed quite a few people waiting to be seen on tuesday at Working Links and they seemed very quiet as if they were waiting for their induction. Usually the regulars are quite chirpy but these were very quiet as they were led to a room by a member of staff. I was supposed to be on a course for six weeks, attending twice a week with a group of people and contacting companies and all the basic things you have to do to look for work so it is odd that four weeks into the course the member of staff dealing with it goes on a weeks holiday. It makes me think that not much planning was put into the course in the first place. I still experience quite a few people phoning up to give an excuse why they can't attend and not attending is a silly thing to do. It all goes onto computer records and eventually when you have a serious dispute it will all go against you. Turning up for an hour or two twice a week to keep them happy and safeguard your benefits is a small price to pay to avoid hassle. We sign every fortnight to say we are available for work from monday to saturday and if people can't be bothered to turn up for an hour or two then how can they say that they are available for work. In my opinion it is best to go along with most things so if you are treated badly then you can complain knowing that you have a good record of attendance and taking part so that your concerns will be taken seriously and not ignored. I'm not in favour these days of work placements if they don't have the potential of a full time job at the end of them as I have completed a few placements and on completion I was replaced every time by another unemployed person on a placement. One thing I have noticed at Golate House is that whenever it is raining the tiled floor on the ground level is slippery. Even though I use the mat in reception I almost lose my footing as I walk to the lifts when it is wet. Rubber soled shoes are still not saving me from that dreaded slip but fortunately I have avoided a fall apart from a nasty fall in the nearby shopping centre by the Hayes last week. So whenever it is raining and you are heading for Working Links in Cardiff make sure you tread carefully when you enter the building and walk towards the lifts.