Census work & unemployment?

[charming23]

I'm offering a job, with pay and benefits, but you don't want to take it because you're pulling unemployment and paying 65% of your Cobra and my co. only pays 50%. Private industry shouldn't have to compete with unemployment for employees. You can't make justification for unemployment by stating how high the rate is and then support not taking a good job because it isn't perfect.

Do you realize that if we cut long-term unemployment, that the unemployment rate would go DOWN because they would finally start taking jobs.

I bolded that statement because it is absolutely false. If they cut long-term unemployment the unemployment rate would go down but not because magically all of those people would be taking jobs. It would be because they would no longer be counted and most would lose their homes, cars, and lifes because of it and we would be in an even bigger economic crisis.

No one who I know, including myself, who is on unemployment wants to stay on unemployment any longer than they have to. I pull in about half of what I used to in UI and thankfully because I am still young and live at home I can survive, most can't. I know for myself that on the three interviews I have been on in the past 6 months there have been at least 10 people applying for one position and you either never hear from them again or they hire someone who is less qualified knowing that the person who is overqualified for the job will most likely leave once they find something better.

To the OP I would say to look into it. You do not have to take it but if they sent you something I would look into it.

 

[MKCP5]

Do you realize that if we cut long-term unemployment, that the unemployment rate would go DOWN because they would finally start taking jobs.

Disagree completely. There are so many families now facing foreclosure who are unable to take care of their families who are not part of the unemployment rate--do you know why? Because their benefits have run out and they no longer are counted in the figures. If those people were counted the rates would actually go up and truly reflect where the economy still is.

 

[leebee]

I'm offering a job, with pay and benefits, but you don't want to take it because you're pulling unemployment and paying 65% of your Cobra and my co. only pays 50%.

Sorry, but COBRA is WAY too expensive to afford when you are unemployed. We had no health insurance for both time periods when I was unemployed. It's just too expensive. We didn't have the money. You roll the dice and take your chances.

I really wish you'd consider that there are people who are on unemployment because they need the income while they look for a job that pays them a living wage. Would you be happy if I took a job to get off unemployment, but because of the pay scale it made me eligible for food stamps and medicare? Yes, I agree, there are those who collect to scam the system, but there are many, many more who take the unemployment compensation because they need the help while they look for a job that pays them a living wage. (and, as I stated previously, I took the job that paid far less because I needed the job. I was still eligible for 3 months of unemployment benefits. Unemployment actually argued with me about this... they "system" doesn't want a person to take a job that leaves them underemployed!)

 

[Pastamom]

OP - I bet you never expected your post to turn into this "debate"

I'm offering a job, with pay and benefits, but you don't want to take it because you're pulling unemployment and paying 65% of your Cobra and my co. only pays 50%. Private industry shouldn't have to compete with unemployment for employees. You can't make justification for unemployment by stating how high the rate is and then support not taking a good job because it isn't perfect.

Do you realize that if we cut long-term unemployment, that the unemployment rate would go DOWN because they would finally start taking jobs.

Wow - that never occurred to us...DH wants a job - not unemployment. Yes COBRA may be costing "less" than what we will pay for insurance from an employer, but the unemployment is nowhere near what he would make at a job.

As for us, COBRA and unemployment has allowed us to keep our house, feed and clothe our children, pay our bills, but we are dipping into our savings - unlike we would do if DH was employed.

BTW - DH has been out of work for 9 months. He is college educated and went back to school to get some new skills to make him more marketable (that was out of our pocket..he did not qualify for a grant or loan) He has been on several interviews, but has not been offered a job to even "turn down"

 

[Pastamom]

I'm offering a job, with pay and benefits, but you don't want to take it because you're pulling unemployment and paying 65% of your Cobra and my co. only pays 50%. Private industry shouldn't have to compete with unemployment for employees. You can't make justification for unemployment by stating how high the rate is and then support not taking a good job because it isn't perfect.

Just out of curiosity - how many times has this happened to you?

 

[mistysue]

I am not the OP. I wasn't going to give an opinion on this subject but I sure hope you are not talking about the OP. If I am reading this correctly she DID NOT go and seek out information on UI. This was a letter that was sent to her and she has a question about it.

No, OP's question and situation are not at all what I am talking about. Just the general debate where the opinion came up that it's ok to take unemployment rather than get a job if you don't like the offer enough. Taking unemployment because you need it is COMPLETELY different than taking unemployment because you don't feel like having a job. Unfortunately, there are people who would disagree and just want to get paid to hang out at home. It's sad because people actually trying to help their situation get judged for it.

 

[simpilotswife]

I'm offering a job, with pay and benefits, but you don't want to take it because you're pulling unemployment and paying 65% of your Cobra and my co. only pays 50%. Private industry shouldn't have to compete with unemployment for employees. You can't make justification for unemployment by stating how high the rate is and then support not taking a good job because it isn't perfect.

And if what you are offering makes Unemployment an attractive option then I agree with poster who said you are not paying enough.

Do you realize that if we cut long-term unemployment, that the unemployment rate would go DOWN because they would finally start taking jobs.

Actually the unemployment rate would not go down. It is based on the number of NEW claims filed for, not existing claims.

I have a friend who is collecting unemployment. She also works part-time at a department store when she is employed. Unfortunately she cannot work when collecting unemployment because it costs her money....the mere fact that she worked for a couple of hours making close to minimum wage means that she cannot collect any unemployment for that day because they count it as her having worked.

I would be interested to know why someone shouldn't consider ALL of the financial factors when accepting a job offer. If they working and declined a job offer that did not offer any additional financial advantages would you question that?

 

[Kathi OD]

I'm offering a job, with pay and benefits, but you don't want to take it because you're pulling unemployment and paying 65% of your Cobra and my co. only pays 50%. Private industry shouldn't have to compete with unemployment for employees. You can't make justification for unemployment by stating how high the rate is and then support not taking a good job because it isn't perfect.

Do you realize that if we cut long-term unemployment, that the unemployment rate would go DOWN because they would finally start taking jobs.

I'm offering a job, with pay and benefits, but you don't want to take it because you're pulling unemployment and paying 65% of your Cobra and my co. only pays 50%. Private industry shouldn't have to compete with unemployment for employees.

then offer a decent wage and you won't be competing with unemployment. Unemployment is a percentage of your prior wage. If someone is making more on unemployment than they were in their previous position, and you're offering a similar position, your company is taking advantage of the current economy. Company profits are up, yet salaries & benefits are way down.

You can't make justification for unemployment by stating how high the rate is and then support not taking a good job because it isn't perfect.

I'll argue that if the job pays less than someone was making on unemployment for a similar position to what they had before being laid-off, it's not a GOOD job. Most people on unemployment aren't looking for perfect jobs; but they do want jobs where the employer isn't trying to take advantage of them and their situation.

Do you realize that if we cut long-term unemployment, that the unemployment rate would go DOWN because they would finally start taking jobs.

What jobs? Do you realize that if we cut long-term unemployment, the current housing crisis would be a whole lot worse than it is now? For many, the only thing keeping them from foreclosure is that unemployment check. Cut long-term unemployment and you'll be paying that money out in welfare.
All you'll be doing is trading one devil for another.

It's obvious that neither you, or anyone you are really close to, has been truly affected by the recent downturn in the economy. DH was recently laid-off for over 2 years. His UE benefits was less than 1/3 of his prior take-home salary. He would have taken any job that paid more than that. In those 2 years, he sent out hundreds of resumes, called and registered with personnel agencies and applied anywhere he possibly could. Some places were out of state, some jobs were part-time. He only had 9 interviews in all that time, with one offer of employment (which was after the 2 years were up), at more than 30% less than his previous salary and no company paid health benefits, for the same job. We consider ourselves lucky, none of his coworkers has yet found a position.

You honestly don't understand what the reality is for most of those who are unemployed. Most people on UE want to work, but companies have become cheap, raking in record profits on the backs of their employees.

 

[CowboyCO]

then offer a decent wage and you won't be competing with unemployment. Unemployment is a percentage of your prior wage. If someone is making more on unemployment than they were in their previous position, and you're offering a similar position, your company is taking advantage of the current economy. Company profits are up, yet salaries & benefits are way down.



I'll argue that if the job pays less than someone was making on unemployment for a similar position to what they had before being laid-off, it's not a GOOD job. Most people on unemployment aren't looking for perfect jobs; but they do want jobs where the employer isn't trying to take advantage of them and their situation.



What jobs? Do you realize that if we cut long-term unemployment, the current housing crisis would be a whole lot worse than it is now? For many, the only thing keeping them from foreclosure is that unemployment check. Cut long-term unemployment and you'll be paying that money out in welfare.
All you'll be doing is trading one devil for another.

It's obvious that neither you, or anyone you are really close to, has been truly affected by the recent downturn in the economy.

You honestly don't understand what the reality is for most of those who are unemployed. Most people on UE want to work, but companies have become cheap, raking in record profits on the backs of their employees.

If you believe that companies are having record profits then you are smoking somthing. In relation to 2009, yes profits are up and salaries and benefits are down because companies have to slash costs in order to get profitable again. I saw a story on Yahoo, about how Harley-Davidsons profits have tripled since they cut costs - "Evil corporations increase profits on the backs of employees and jobs". WRONG. Harley Davidson made 79 million after reducing costs, which did triple their profit from 2009. But in 2006, Harley Davidson made $1.04 BILLION in profit. Profits are down 92% from 2006 to 2010. But was that the story? NO. Businesses are evil. Let me clue everybody in. If my company doesn't make money - THERE ARE NO JOBS. And my company will no longer pay taxes. People -- I pay employment taxes on employees. If they stay on unemployment and don't take a good job with the pay that this economy affords, then it's a double-whammy - the government pays out instead of taking taxes in.

Unemployment has become for many, a reduced, but COMFORTABLE quality of life. The government pays for 65% of their Cobra coverage, which is more than most employers pay. The government gives them an unemployment check. The government gives them food stamps, housing subsidies. They take a job and all of that goes away. It's not just the unemployment check. It's all the other programs that go with it.

I'm naturally uncomfortable when I don't have a job. I take jobs that aren't perfect. For god sakes, I sold cars for years when I couldn't find the career sales position I wanted. For me, selling cars was a crappy job, but I worked hard and made good money. And I hated it. For years. I could have gone on unemployment, but I got a job doing what I can do.

I'm now back in publishing doing what I love, but I didn't sit at home waiting for this position.

 

[charming23]

I wonder if you have tried looking around for jobs recently. I am not to proud to take any job, if there were jobs to take. It is just too hard of an economy right now. Besides there being virtually no jobs to apply for the ones you can apply for get tons of applicants which reduces anyones chance to get a job.

I hat telling people I am unemployed because of the stigma that comes with it. Not all of us are lazy and just want government handouts. I for one have gone back to school to get a better degree to open my self up to more opporotunities. I hate just sitting around and by oing to school at least I feel like I accomplish something everyday.

 

[simpilotswife]

[/B]
Unemployment has become for many, a reduced, but COMFORTABLE quality of life. The government pays for 65% of their Cobra coverage, which is more than most employers pay. The government gives them an unemployment check. The government gives them food stamps, housing subsidies. They take a job and all of that goes away. It's not just the unemployment check. It's all the other programs that go with it.

If you believe this statement then you must be the one smoking something. No one that I know can make ends meet on unemployment let alone be "comfortable" with that level of income. Also for the record there is not one single person that I know who is collecting unemployment that is receiving food stamps and housing subsidies.

Personally I am still shaking my head over the fact that you are defending the fact that you offer to pay less money to people than than they make on unemployment.

 

[CowboyCO]

If you believe this statement then you must be the one smoking something. No one that I know can make ends meet on unemployment let alone be "comfortable" with that level of income. Also for the record there is not one single person that I know who is collecting unemployment that is receiving food stamps and housing subsidies.

Personally I am still shaking my head over the fact that you are defending the fact that you offer to pay less money to people than than they make on unemployment.

I don't. We're trying to hire a book-keeping/AR position that pays $2,500/month plus benefits for a jobs that doesn't require a college education. We get tons of applications and people bring up that they need to compare our job to their unemployment benefits - (and it happens a LOT). Maybe they are just being stupid, but they do it.

People need to take jobs, even if they don't think it is perfect, because humans should be working. What is the saying about idle hands? Too many people want what they had before they got laid off. Newsflash. That job doesn't exist anymore.

 

[Kathi OD]

[/B]

If you believe that companies are having record profits then you are smoking somthing. In relation to 2009, yes profits are up and salaries and benefits are down because companies have to slash costs in order to get profitable again. I saw a story on Yahoo, about how Harley-Davidsons profits have tripled since they cut costs - "Evil corporations increase profits on the backs of employees and jobs". WRONG. Harley Davidson made 79 million after reducing costs, which did triple their profit from 2009. But in 2006, Harley Davidson made $1.04 BILLION in profit. Profits are down 92% from 2006 to 2010. But was that the story? NO. Businesses are evil. Let me clue everybody in. If my company doesn't make money - THERE ARE NO JOBS. And my company will no longer pay taxes. People -- I pay employment taxes on employees. If they stay on unemployment and don't take a good job with the pay that this economy affords, then it's a double-whammy - the government pays out instead of taking taxes in.

The comment about smoking something was totally uncalled for.

FYI, Harley's profit for the 2nd quarter of 2010 was $71M, so if your figure of $79M for all of 2009 can be assumed to be correct, they've surely found out a way to turn things around quickly, even while sales of its products are way down. And why do you think sales of their products are way down? Could it be that all these people, some 14MILLION of them, can't afford to be buying a Harely on their UE compensation? Or maybe it's because they've taken a low-paying job and can no longer afford their hogs?

Other companies with record profits (all from the first page of a Google search): Apple, Microsoft, Goldman, BP (although I expect that will not be the case for 2010), Micron, ARM, Citibank.... In Goldman's case employee compensation was the same percentage of revenue as it was in 1999.

Of course your company needs to make money in order to provide jobs. However it doesn't need to lower compensation so much that staying on unemployment is an attractive alternative to your applicant pool.

In case you didn't realize it, in many states the employee also pays into the unemployment fund. Additionally, the unemployed pay taxes on their unemployment. So tax-wise, they aren't getting a free ride.

The pay this economy affords, in many cases, does not allow many an opportunity to pay their bills, let alone live comfortably. There is another dilemma, the cost of goods keeps rising, but salaries are shrinking. How can companies continue to do business if people can't afford their goods? Yet companies have no problem thinking that a salary that is less than unemployment compensation is a "good" salary.

Unemployment has become for many, a reduced, but COMFORTABLE quality of life. The government pays for 65% of their Cobra coverage, which is more than most employers pay. The government gives them an unemployment check. The government gives them food stamps, housing subsidies. They take a job and all of that goes away. It's not just the unemployment check. It's all the other programs that go with it.

Unemployment does not provide a comfortable quality of life for most people. If you are on unemployment, chances are you don't qualify for housing subsidies or food stamps. You've got to figure it out on unemployment alone.

You seem to think that unemployment pays almost what a person was making before. In many cases it doesn't even pay the rent or mortgage. Trust me, the housing market is in for another big downturn if we don't figure out how to get all the "99ers" back into the workforce with jobs that allow them to pay their bills.

I'm naturally uncomfortable when I don't have a job. I take jobs that aren't perfect. For god sakes, I sold cars for years when I couldn't find the career sales position I wanted. For me, selling cars was a crappy job, but I worked hard and made good money. And I hated it. For years. I could have gone on unemployment, but I got a job doing what I can do.

You make it sound like you are the exception and not the rule. I'm telling you, you are NOT. Most people who are unemployed would rather be working, and they don't really care what kind of job it is, but they want to be able to meet their bills on their new salary. It's irresponsible to take a job that offers less than what you're making on UE, IF that job doesn't allow you to pay your bills.

I'm now back in publishing doing what I love, but I didn't sit at home waiting for this position.

You're lucky to have found a job right away until the one you loved came along. Maybe you haven't heard, but right now, in many sectors of the economy, there are literally hundreds of applicants for every position that opens up. Finding jobs in most areas of the country is not just as easy as walking in and saying "hey, hire me!"

 

[Kathi OD]

I don't. We're trying to hire a book-keeping/AR position that pays $2,500/month plus benefits for a jobs that doesn't require a college education. We get tons of applications and people bring up that they need to compare our job to their unemployment benefits - (and it happens a LOT). Maybe they are just being stupid, but they do it.

People need to take jobs, even if they don't think it is perfect, because humans should be working. What is the saying about idle hands? Too many people want what they had before they got laid off. Newsflash. That job doesn't exist anymore.

Seeing as the average unemployment check in CO is $293/week, and the maximum is $489/week, unless you're getting a lot of applicants who are receiving the max amount, you might want to automatically pass those applicants by. They obviously don't have the math skills necessary for the position.

At the salary you're quoting, someone would probably be bringing home around $430/week. Not enough less than the max UE to take a chance and let a job opportunity pass them by.

ETA: FWIW, around here, $430/week wouldn't pay the rent, let alone utilities and transportation to the job.

 

[dkr7166]

I don't. We're trying to hire a book-keeping/AR position that pays $2,500/month plus benefits for a jobs that doesn't require a college education. We get tons of applications and people bring up that they need to compare our job to their unemployment benefits - (and it happens a LOT). Maybe they are just being stupid, but they do it.

People need to take jobs, even if they don't think it is perfect, because humans should be working. What is the saying about idle hands? Too many people want what they had before they got laid off. Newsflash. That job doesn't exist anymore.

If you want to PM me this job description, I'm actually interested as this is my field. Definitely the farthest one away I'll have looked into, but hey--you're meeting my salary requirements and it would be a raise over for my former salary, not to mention a HUGE raise over my unemployment of $285/week.

 

[windycitymom]

Well this thread was hijacked a long-time ago!!!!!

Sadly, only the people who think "unemployment is comfortable" are the ones who are currently working or in the Senate. Anybody want to trade places with the unemployed to see how comfortable it really is?? I didn't think so...

 

[CowboyCO]

If you want to PM me this job description, I'm actually interested as this is my field. Definitely the farthest one away I'll have looked into, but hey--you're meeting my salary requirements and it would be a raise over for my former salary, not to mention a HUGE raise over my unemployment of $285/week.

PM'ed

 

[the Fidge]

Now back to our broadcast......OP: I worked for the Census for over a year of continuous employment. Many of the folks that worked are now receiving unemployment. Call your local UC Benefit Center and they will be able to tell you if you are eligible or not. Your mileage is not factored as that is not work wages. Every state is different regarding eligibilty so do call and allow them to clarifiy for you.

Be prepared however to sit on hold. Good luck on your future employment! Hope you enjoyed your work with the Census!

 

[SalandJeff]

Sorry OP....I know we are far from your original question and I hope you have checked to see if you can collect.

I have been away from the computer for a few days and just cannot believe the statements you are making, CowboyCO.

If you are honestly trying to hire someone without a college degree for $2500 a month plus benefits, and cannot find anyone, there is something else going on with the job or your company. That would mean a person would have to be collecting about $577 a week in employment to be at that salary....do any states even pay that much in unemployment?????

Several times you have referenced a time when you were unemployed, but found some crappy job, such as selling cars. If I might ask, when were you unemployed? Was it during the current recession...because if not, I don't think you can make a fair comparison. Do you understand that there are not even "crappy" jobs for people to take? Do you understand that for every job opening there are multitudes of candidates that apply...and you never even hear a word if you don't get an interview?

Do you understand that people on unemployment do not receive other government services, such as food stamps? There may be some exceptions, but the majority of people get unemployment only. Once you take away the unemployment from people and they still cannot get a job, that is when they will need to get state and federal aid from other programs.

I can't really figure out whether you truly have no clue what is going on in this country, are ignorant of facts and just state what you believe as though it is a fact, or are just trying to stir things up.

I can't read this thread anymore...you are making my blood pressure go up.

 

[Beckypooh1972]

I worked as an Enumerator for the 2010 Census in March-April 2009. At the time, we were told we would not be eligible for unemployment once our work here was over since this is considered a temporary job.

Flash forward to today...I just received a form in the mail "Unemployment Compensation For Federal Employees Program" form. It is stating that I MAY be eligible for unemployment.

It says to take this form and other pieces of information to the nearest unemployment office and file. Is anyone receiving unemployment after being a Census worker? Did something change since last year? I don't want to waste my time going to an unemployment office if I'm not eligible - but I don't want to miss out on potential benefits if I am entitled. We could certainly use the money (and I have been looking for a job w/o any luck).

Wow, I'm surprised you were initially told you wouldn't receive unemployment. I worked the census in 2000 and I drew unemployment for a few weeks before I found my current employer at a job fair at the Census Bureau. However I did work from January to September of 2000, maybe there is a minimum time worked?