by
Scally » Mon Dec 10, 2012 12:34 pm
I've read it, and whilst I don't wish to discourage anyone from creating a petition, it is always worth posting it here first in draft form and getting some feedback in order to improve it before putting it up in public view. You have asked why people have read it but not signed, and I will try to give you some honest feedback from my own perspective. We work better when we work together, and are straight with each other.
One problem with this petition is that the premise doesn't survive critical scrutiny:
It starts with the request that the Government "recognises" caring as an occupation. This is already an "own goal", as the government doesn't currently recognise any occupation as such: tinker, tailor, candlestick maker; all go largely unrecognised by government, and anyway, it is up to individual employers whom they hire and what experience they value. (I always put my international potholing expedition experience into my CV because I found it increased my chance of getting an interview, simply because it looking "interestng" and made me stand out from other candidates. On the other hand, I dont usually include "gardening" or "reading": too boring. You need to look at it from the POV of someone shortlisting from hundreds of CVs, they need to stand out and catch the eye in less than ten seconds, or they are doomed).
A second assumption is that employers "discount" years spent caring. I don't think this is true: some do, some don't, it all depends on the nature of the employment. I mean, if you want a job as a care-worker, of course it's highly valued, but if you are looking to apply to become a rocket -scientist, then it is irrelevant.
I would like to put forward that the Government recognise caring as a full time occupation. For those returning to work after caring, I feel that it is imperative for employers to cease discounting years spent caring. Many work-essential skills are developed through a caring role such as; time management, effective communication through all means, due diligence, patience, administrative duties etc.
I find it necessary and acceptable for carers returning to work to include their caring duties on their CV and implore the Government to see that employers accomodate said duties, as and when they apply to a role.
So I'm sorry, I won't be signing it, because petitioning government is a serious business, and this petition wording is not sufficiently thought-through. Sorry, I will be probably get labelled a spoil-sport again! Please dont let this discourage you, I wasn't very keen on the wording of Pats petition either, and she still got 70,000 signatures!
