Waiting time cut a winner for Winz

Will Winz adopt the "good cop/bad cop" scenario?PHOTO/FILE

Before I drone on about drones, let me thank you for your feedback in all its various forms. It's clear that people's experiences at Winz could be written about and debated endlessly.

Unfortunately, to date, I have been unable to gather any first-hand intel in regard to goings-on, on "the other side", but the feedback from those who have cautions me that I should do my best to avoid it.

However, like a naughty school child, telling me to stay away just makes me want to go there even more. I've imagined hidden torture rooms, two-way mirrors and drones pairing up to play out the "good cop/bad cop" scenario - all in an effort to get so many people off the benefit and into so few jobs.

And this is the problem. While there are undoubtedly those who have no interest in gaining employment, the rest of us would move heaven and earth to get ourselves out of the damn system. But if the jobs are not there, all the policy, new rules and regulations and monthly meetings with case workers - literally getting on your case - isn't going to make a blind bit of difference.

Yep, despite being blessed with a fab new case worker, the idea of monthly visits to the Concrete Jungle didn't exactly excite me and I started mentally preparing myself for my second visit about three days before my appointment.

D-Day arrived ... as did I, on time. Got a park, no problem. Lift was still in motion, unlike the queue I joined ...

Talk about deja vu. Maybe the security guard was caught in a giant spider's web, I dunno, but I wasn't going to lose my place in line to find out. And, yet again, he remained stagnant for the duration of my visit.

In the past, when I have had a set appointment, I have assumed the drone receiving me must be aware of it, too, and you would think that they would rise from their chair and come and find you at the scheduled time. But, oh no, they wait until they have official word from the Welcome Desk drone, whom it has taken you up to 30 minutes to come face-to-face with. I was expecting no different this time. Behold a freaking miracle! My new case worker, her face beaming with a friendly smile, came and plucked me from the dreaded line of doom.

I was so elated, I wanted to turn to those left behind, hold up a finger and scream out "Later, suckers". Instantly I was ashamed at even thinking of such behaviour - that something as small and as insignificant as being seen on time is like a bloody great victory and cause for celebration. Still, it left me wondering if my case worker was the exception or the new rule ...

I was hoping to be able to wrap this up in two parts but it's just too big of an issue. So if you can bear it, join me again next week as I share some ideas on how Winz can lose the negativity that seems to be associated with the very mention of its name.

As always, I am hungry for your feedback, so please keep it coming. No appointment necessary and I can guarantee you no waiting in line - investik8@gmail.com

Kate Stewart is an unemployed, reluctant mother of three, currently running amok in the city ... approach with caution or cheesecake.