[JoeS21]

I'm on SSDI and am due for a CDR. In order to not have a CDR (long story about why this is bad timing for that), I've signed up with an EN. Now the "recruiter" I'm assigned to is telling me that I have to accept a job for minimum wage or he'll consider unassigning my ticket. Anyone else have this problem?

Additionally, I'm in the process of interviewing for a much better job outside of the EN that pays 4 times that, but this recruiter from the EN keeps bugging me by calling me every single day to demand that I do some new activity - and all of those new unexpected projects are getting in the way of my getting a much better job. They are a time drain. I'm also finding myself increasing angry at this EN and the recruiter day after day for his tone, his disrupting my life, jeopardizing my ability to find decent work, etc.

[~Christina]

I don't live in your state so I have no advice other than Stop answering your phone every time he calls, I'm sure he can leave a voicemail and you can delete it.

Continue your own search for a job that will pay better. Don't "allow" him to distract you from a job that you can actually live off of.

[Fresia]

I don't know which EN you choose, but my experience with the one I went with was different, in that I never felt any pressure just to do ANY job. Their reimbursement comes from you being employed for a certain period of time, and that may be why the pressure. However, success at some of the ENs is more important for lasting employment is their goal, not just any job that you might fail at in a few months down the road.

The EN I went to was concerned about finding a job that matched my background, interests, psych issues, and temperament, and giving me tests to determine this. They set up job shadowing to interview in fields to narrow it down from the test results, and then they even sent me back to school, which took a really long time in my case, (starting out part time several semesters, and building up to full time; yet I know those who stayed part time, and never were pressured to do more than they could given each of our disabilities) but there was never any pressure at any point. There were also those who knew what fields after testing they wanted to go into that did not require schooling, and they set up job coaches to help them transition in the jobs. This was an option for me as well but my field would not allow one.

I am now in a field that I orignally never would have considered were it not for the testing but love, going on 6 mos now, and better paying with benefits. It has been hard but the EN was still there for support the first 4 most after getting the job; I was told if there were any troubles within the year following to call them, though the case was closed, it could be reopened. Long term success and employment were the goals.

Perhaps you should interview another case manager within the organization or interview another agency as to their methods and goals. Asking is their goal ANY job, or long term employment success, because right now they are not helping but bullying you into things that you are not suited for, perhaps concerned about failing (this was my concern given my previous history). They are supposed to motivate, help, and support you, not beleaguer, bully, and burden you is what the social security office told me.

I hope you find what works best for you and a better position. Good luck!

[Fresia]

I don't know which EN you choose but I went with a Vocational Rehab (VR) agency instead and my experience was different in that I never felt any pressure just to do ANY job. Their reimbursement comes from you being employed for a certain period of time, and that may be why the pressure. However, success at some of the ENs and VRs is more important for lasting employment being their goal, not just any job that you might fail at in a few months down the road; any else, I would change agencies.

The VR I went to was concerned about finding a job that matched my background, interests, psych issues, and temperament, and giving me tests to determine this. They set up job shadowing to interview in fields to narrow it down from the test results, and then they even sent me back to school, which took a really long time in my case, (starting out part time several semesters, and building up to full time; yet I know those who stayed part time, and never were pressured to do more than they could) but there was never any pressure at any point. There were also those who knew what fields after testing they wanted to go into that did not require schooling, and they set up job coaches to help them transition in the jobs. This was an option for me as well but my field would not allow one.

I am now in a field that I originally never would have considered were it not for the testing but love, going on 6 mos now, and better paying with benefits. (I am having issues with the organization but once I finish my training I can find another job in the same field) So it has been hard transition but VR was still there for support the first 4 most after getting the job; I was told if there were any troubles within the year following to call them, though the case was closed, it could be reopened. Long term success and employment were the goals.

Perhaps you should interview another case manager within the organization or interview another agency as to their methods and goals. Asking is there goal ANY job, or long term employment success, because right now they are not helping but bullying you into things that you are not suited for, perhaps concerned about failing (this was my concern given my previous history). They are supposed to motivate, help, and support you, not beleaguer, bully, and burden you is what the social security office told me. There are goals to TTW to meet each year you are with an EN or VR to not have a CDR. I cannot find them at the moment, but it might help you understand what is expected of them for you to meet in the process o working with the EN.

I hope you find what works best for you and a better position. Good luck!