Spinner

Tom Jones's Unemployment Records Show Lack of Faith in Singer

Although Tom Jones may now be a worldwide superstar and household name, unemployment records from over forty-five years ago show that not everyone had the greatest confidence in him, with civil servants disparaging him for signing on rather than signing autographs.

The records, which were found in a skip and have now been put up for auction, document the Welsh singer's struggle to turn professional in the mid-1960s. The first entry, marked December 1963, doesn't make for encouraging reading.

"He does not want shift work but I believe the reason for his not liking shifts is because he is a member of a vocal group which is supposedly an amateur affair. Consider and submit as soon as possible to anything which wouldn't dirty his fingernails! Nothing on offer at present ..."

It's perhaps also no great surprise that his dazzling dress-sense left an impression on the members of staff, with one noting that:
"From the number of adverts one sees in the local press, however, it seems that this group has a good thing going ... from the way he is able to dress, it would seem that Mr Woodward's [Jones's original surname] little hobby is highly lucrative and this would also account for his non-enthusiasm in securing employment."

However, it appears that those dealing with Jones' search for employment at the time were growing impatient with the lack of progress in his career and three months after the initial entry, the following comments were made: "No change in employment position but his vocal group is contemplating turning professional within next month or so ..."

The scepticism continued even after an agreement with Decca Studios was made, in an entry from July 1964. "Claimant showed me a letter from Decca Studios confirming a recording session had been arranged. He has been talking about 'going professional' since April but he is still signing the UR [unemployment register] and not autograph books."

The items, which were found some years ago when such records were being computerised, go up for auction on Apr. 15 through Mullock's auction house in Shropshire.

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Jonny

Maybe the skip belonged to the government? Maybe Tom Jones gave his permission to sell? Maybe the contractor who was supposed to shred the files got nosey and rummaged through stuff he shouldn't have beeen looking at? Why does everyone immediately jump on civil servants. My dad is one and he earns peanuts, is as likely to be made redundant as any one, but is conscientous, hard working and does his job honestly.

March 09 2010 at 1:29 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
2 replies to Jonny's comment
Ray Adams

Yes and he will have a golden hand shake and an index link pension, which even bank counter staff have had their pension revised down,come on civil servant's
child you most probably work for them yourself.

March 09 2010 at 2:28 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
gumpo

Jonny
Im sure no ones having a go at your father, he may well be consciencious, but fact remains documents like this shouldn't fall into public hands, and fact is If I want to travel I need a passport, If I want to drive I need a Licence, and when I'm told to supply information thats personal, and without option, I expect it to be handled properly. If details of a Ministers pay, address, bank, date of birth etc came into the public domain, heads would roll, jobs would go, but when it happens to millions of others, its no ones fault, or were told "Dont worry children, it wont get into the wrong hands".........like they know that, or care !!

March 10 2010 at 8:12 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
wendy fox

It dosn't surprise me one bit that they took that attitude towards him they have allways been like that..as for his records they should be private and not sold he should be able to do what he wants with them...you ask to see someone elses records and you will be told NO! due to privacy laws ..so where is Tom Jones pravacy??

And just why where these records in a skip anyway what happened to security???????

March 09 2010 at 1:10 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Holly

Why are people commenting as if these files were from last week.. they're 45 years old!!!! I lost my job recently and had so much help and support from my jobcentre. The people couldn't have been nicer and were really pleased when I got a job.They are supposed to be protecting tax payers money from scroungers and paying it to people who want to work and are doing the right things to find it. What's wrong with that?? (i SAW PEOPLE WHO HAD NO INTENTION OF LOOKING FOR WORK, THEY WANTED MONEY HANDED TO THEM FOR DOING NOTHING, THEN THEY WERE EXTREMELY RUDE TO STAFF THERE.

March 09 2010 at 12:40 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Ray Adams

I sure Tom Jones as paid enough in tax/employment tax to these civil servants Ha!Ha! in secure employement until they retire on index link pensions.
They should try living in the real world like the rest of us.

March 09 2010 at 12:02 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Ray Adams's comment
Meryl

I do not believe that he has paid any tax in this country as he fled to the USA to avoid paying tax

March 09 2010 at 12:10 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
gumpo

As someone points out.Shouldn't these records be private / destroyed by now. IF IT WAS A PAEDOPHILE OR MURDERER there would be hell to pay for someone for letting the paedos private information/records get into the publics hands.

Just about right in our society. Protect the criminals at all costs and to hell with the innocent !!!

March 09 2010 at 11:37 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
AL

It doesn't surprise me at all that the 'benefits' department were disparaging and derogatory about someone with obvious honesty and talent. They still treat claimants who are down on their luck the same way.

March 09 2010 at 11:26 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Nanny Poppy

How funny that the comments from the Jobs people is so negative. Tom was giving them all the information and letting them know his progress but still had to sign on for regular monetary reasons. Gigs here and there as a non-professional wouldn't pay the bills after all. I am surprised Tom himself is not bidding for a bit of his own history- after all it was supposedly 'private information' regarding his employment. Shouldn't that info be returned to him anyway to own and not be dumped or sold on.

March 09 2010 at 10:53 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Margo

Surely peoples benefit records should be a private matter not going up for auction. THEY SHOULD STAY PRIVATE! How would we feel if we applied for benefits and years later they were made public. He isn't a criminal is he.

March 09 2010 at 10:53 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Kevvy

Just goes to show the negative attitude taken by Civil servants in the employment service to the unemployed. "UB40" files next?

March 09 2010 at 10:51 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply