long term unemployment

[apirateslifeforme]

I was laid off February 20, 2009. I'd just had my 8th anniversary at my company and I was well-paid for my job.

Unemployment only pays me slightly above 1/2 what I earned. I also took advantage of WIA and next week will start my second (and last) semester of school, pursuing an accounting assistant certificate. I already have two bachelor's degrees and graduated valedictorian from college with those.

I just finished my first week of temporary employment today. A classmate told me that her company needed help and asked for my resume. The company called me, asked me to come in for an interview for a temporary position...About 2 hours after the interview, they called and offered me the job. I accepted, then they told me I had to go to their "agency" to fill out the paperwork. I spent two hours there, only to find out that I was now working for a "temp" agency and that I am required to come back to them when I am let go from this job! Yes, I know what temp agencies are all about, but I did NOT want to get involved with one. And I also know that in hindsight, I should have known, but NOBODY said one word up front. The company represented that I would be working for them.

Anyway, I have busted my butt this week, trying to work hard and remember everything they are telling me. I've filled half a notebook already with notes and I have gone through manuals, asked for relevant computer programs so I could go through the tutorials, etc. Everyone is saying that it will take 6 months to one year to learn this particular job. However, this afternoon, I was told that the person for whom I am filling in will be coming back on a part-time basis next week...but "we're not going to boot you out the door, we'll keep you for a month." Gee, thanks...

So now, I technically will be unemployed again in a month, and according to my contact at the DOL, I am no longer eligible for benefits, and I am stuck working for this temp agency for whom I don't want to work!

Sorry for the vent...but I am intelligent, I learn quickly and I LIKE to learn new jobs, and I WANT to work. I'm not perfect by any means, but come on...I'm a good worker!

 

[HOGFAN]

dh just went back to work Jan 4 after 9 months of unemployment. He relocated about 2 hours north of here, comes home on weekends. He likes the job but hates being away from us. After ds graduates next year, we will sell the house and split the commute.

 

[C.Ann]

Luckily, no one I know "personally" (very close friends or family) are currently laid off..

However, many members of my church (at the lake) have been unemployed for extended periods of time.. The unemployment rate is quite high in that area - and from what I understand, not much better down here either..

Just from reading the DIS, I think the unemployment numbers are quite high in many areas of the country..

 

[ZachnElli]

My DH lost his job on July 31, 09 and just got a new job, started this week. The cut in pay is 60%, but it has benefits, including a company car. He only heard of this job through a friend who was one of 2 people making the decision. He sent out hundreds of resumes all over the country with hardly any feedback. He was unemployed end of 2005 all the way to the end of 2006, 13 months, so we know longterm unemployment too well. It's tough out there.

 

[Tiggeroo]

You are in Cape May County. If the unemployed family members are there as well they are going to need to expand their search. I live in CM as well. We are seasonal in many industries. We also have a large number of workers from out of the country who are willing to work for low wages. It is difficult here unless you are in County or State employment, schools, hospitals, etc. DH works for a company that is large and he travels a good deal to increase his pay scale. We know that if he needs to look for another job it may mean a move, as much as we love where we live.