Mixed Feelings about new Unemployment Extension

[TheDisneyGirl02]

The DisneyGirl, taking that cruise might be the best thing for you. My husband had already arranged for a trip to Disney World before I got laid off last month. The company didn't tell us that it was closing for forever until about a week before it actually did. I was so sick from Type 1 diabetes that I didn't even know I had that I met my current doctor in the intensive care unit in January. Those treating me have told me that taking a trip would be the best thing for my health now and that there is no sense in canceling the flight while the tickets are non-refundable anyway so we are going because I can't work if I am sick. In other words, I have been medically advised to take this vacation so we are going with plans to just be careful about how much we spend beyond what has already been paid for.

I am planning to use the trip to see what the work situation is like around Orlando. I am very afraid to move after what happened to us the first time we moved to a place with more jobs because we were homeless even after we were working, but it can't hurt to ask because Orlando have more of the type of work that I normally do anyway. My willingness to do hard work many former executives consider beneath themselves means that I might do okay at finding a living wage. You never know who you might meet on that cruise TheDisneyGirl. Maybe your connection to your next job is going to be there with you.

You are so stressed out TheDisneyGirl that you might find that offers start coming for jobs after you return from your cruise more relaxed and enthused to get a fresh start. I told my doctor that we should not be spending money from my husband's retirement account to go on vacation while I am not working. She said that she would write a prescription for me to go on vacation "doctor's orders" if it were legal for her to do so.

Thank you. My sister just returned from a cruise and I wanted so badly to go with her because I really needed a 'break' from reality.

I wondered, while reading this thread, how long it would be before someone quoted the obnoxious, derogatory, term "Funemployment." What a disgrace.
As many of the people who have responded to this thread have already observed, it is easy to blame the unemployed for the problem of unemployment. Easy, but absolutely wrong and absurd.
I was laid off from one of the major law firms in Philadelphia; the 3 of many lay-offs where entire jobs were eliminated and many hard-working and diligent people were left without jobs. One of the major law firms in the city even closed their doors, leaving hundreds more stranded. I thought I would be out of a job for a few weeks: turned out it was 18 months. First of all, most of the law firms were laying off, and second: at age 55 I was not at the desired age for the employers who were hiring. Funemployment? Bull. I was in a panic every single day and spending hours applying for jobs and interviewing at places who didn't have the courtesy to ever get back to me. A part-time job? Forget about it. I have years of retail experience which did me no good. I also had a brother-in-law in the same situation, who worked harder than anyone I ever saw to obtain any type of employment. I cannot believe people are actually not only buying into the funemployment idea, but having the audacity to perpetuate it. It is a disservice to 99.9% of the unemployed; and perhaps to 100%. Everyone prefaces their quoting funemployment with a speech about "those truly looking for work" but you're making a judgment you have no right to make. While you may have family members who say they're enjoying unemployment, my guess is it's false bravado in light of the rejection they're facing when trying to get a job.

Couldn't have said it better myself!

 

[Virgderon]

So my point is, it's easy to say what you would do if and when you are unemployed but the reality is that it's not that simple.

I can appreciate that. I was just saying what I thought I would do. As a recruiter, I see people getting jobs in the pharma and lab companies that I recruit for, so it seemed like the best thought.

I could be unemployed in the next year or so- I work in a tough industry. I am a technical and scientific recruiter. Who needs recruiters when there are a minimal amount of jobs? So believe me when I say that I have every sympathy and empathy for people who are trying, but I have personal experience with people not trying.

I have people take a job and not show up, or come in late 3 times in the first couple weeks. I have people tell me they won't take a 10% pay cut, or won't work 2nd shift.

I had a college grad beg me for a job, and quit a month later to go to grad school. Good idea. Go rack up some more loans in this crappy economy.

Anyway, you get the idea.

Personally, I'm concentrating on paying off our tax bill and paying down debt the best I can in case I do get laid off.

 

[Luvchefmic]

I recruit for jobs all over the country. I have had people tell me they couldn't find work, bless me for helping them, and then show up late or not show up at all in the first couple weeks of employment.

I have had many people turn me down because they won't work 2nd shift, or because the job pays 10k less than they are looking for.

Again, I am not implying that it is that way for everyone.

My own DH was laid off last year. We looked for jobs all over the country. He interviewed in Green Bay, Mobile and Tampa before he got the Tampa job at a 30% reduction in pay.

We also could not sell our house in Chicago and are renting it at a loss.

So obviously we did what it took to get him employed again. Not judging any else, but we have 2 kids in college. He had to have a job, and we found him one.

I have been unemployed since last Aug I am 55 y/o white female that only speaks English as I was born in NY and never took another language. I have DECADES of customer service and have worked for the largest police department on Long Island NY for 3 yrs (prior to moving here) in the teletype unit. I have an Associates Degree...would you (or anyone) be interested in knowing how many resumes I have sent out, how many job applications & hoops I have jumped through? I am not holding out for a "dream" job, McDonalds, Cracker Barrel etc NOT hiring so what do I do? I haven't seen my husband in 2 months because all the local truck driving jobs pay $8.00 hrs if they are hiring at all. This man has over 25 yrs experience driving. Now he does it over the road, can you find ME a job? I will work ANY hrs and can start yesterday. I live about 50 miles from Tampa

oh yes I forgot to add FWIW I don't collect unemployment benefits, wasn't at the job in FL long enough to be eligible

 

[wdwfan16]

I have been unemployed since last Aug I am 55 y/o white female that only speaks English as I was born in NY and never took another language. I have DECADES of customer service and have worked for the largest police department on Long Island NY for 3 yrs (prior to moving here) in the teletype unit. I have an Associates Degree...would you (or anyone) be interested in knowing how many resumes I have sent out, how many job applications & hoops I have jumped through? I am not holding out for a "dream" job, McDonalds, Cracker Barrel etc NOT hiring so what do I do? I haven't seen my husband in 2 months because all the local truck driving jobs pay $8.00 hrs if they are hiring at all. This man has over 25 yrs experience driving. Now he does it over the road, can you find ME a job? I will work ANY hrs and can start yesterday. I live about 50 miles from Tampa

oh yes I forgot to add FWIW I don't collect unemployment benefits, wasn't at the job in FL long enough to be eligible

Why did you move to FL? It seems both you and your DH have it better in LI. I know that LI is expensive.

Couldn't you collect unemployment from NY? Did you just quit to move but not work again or did you work in FL and then get laid off? If so, you should be able to get unemployment.

 

[Luvchefmic]

Why did you move to FL? It seems both you and your DH have it better in LI. I know that LI is expensive.

Couldn't you collect unemployment from NY? Did you just quit to move but not work again or did you work in FL and then get laid off? If so, you should be able to get unemployment.

Why did we move to FL? Don't really know what that has to do with anything but since you asked ......we moved here for the same reason anyone moves, found THE dream house, always wanted to live in FL, many many reasons...not sure what you're looking for? Yes we had quit our jobs in NY when we moved. We were of the mindset that we had never been unemployed and why would we think we wouldn't get jobs...still don't see where this is going...anyway.....

You can't collect unemployment in FL unless you have 6 months working in FL, and I did not, NY jobs have nothing to do with eligibility.

 

[wdwfan16]

Why did we move to FL? Don't really know what that has to do with anything but since you asked ......we moved here for the same reason anyone moves, found THE dream house, always wanted to live in FL, many many reasons...not sure what you're looking for? Yes we had quit our jobs in NY when we moved. We were of the mindset that we had never been unemployed and why would we think we wouldn't get jobs...still don't see where this is going...anyway.....

You can't collect unemployment in FL unless you have 6 months working in FL, and I did not, NY jobs have nothing to do with eligibility.

It makes a huge difference. You made it sound like you got laid off but you both quit your jobs without other jobs lined up and move 1000+ miles away.

NY would matter IF you had a job in FL and got laid off from it. They would use your work history from NY and then make a decision on who would pay NY or FL.

 

[Luvchefmic]

It makes a huge difference. You made it sound like you got laid off but you both quit your jobs without other jobs lined up and move 1000+ miles away.

NY would matter IF you had a job in FL and got laid off from it. They would use your work history from NY and then make a decision on who would pay NY or FL.

Sorry you are WRONG...I was laid off after working 3 months in FL...NOT eligible, NY work doesn't count. DH had 5 yes 5 lay offs here in FL did collect TWO unemployment checks here based on FL wages only..now thank God he has a job..they don't count the NY history again

 

[wendydarling826]

From reading back over this thread, I think what it boils down to is that those who have lost jobs in the past couple of years have seen how the entire landscape of the American economy has changed and how the assumptions we held no longer hold true. Those who have been unaffected by job loss probably still hold those assumptions, and so would I if I hadn't experienced what has happened in the past two years. I always assumed that being an educated person with valuable experience, skills kept up to date, a good work history, good references etc. would mean you could always find suitable employment. It's just not true any more. Manufacturing is gone. Service jobs have gone to India. Financial services - well, you know. Pharmaceutical jobs were once the most sought after in our area - now the pharmaceutical companies are closing and laying off right and left. Healthcare jobs - also job freezes and layoffs, at least in our area. Teaching jobs - forget about it. If there are geographical areas in our country or job sectors where there is growth, I would be very interested to know where they are. While it may not happen in my lifetime, I do hope that the spirit of innovation that made America what it once was will eventually turn this around. If not, we'd better all learn to speak Chinese.

 

[Luvchefmic]

From reading back over this thread, I think what it boils down to is that those who have lost jobs in the past couple of years have seen how the entire landscape of the American economy has changed and how the assumptions we held no longer hold true. Those who have been unaffected by job loss probably still hold those assumptions, and so would I if I hadn't experienced what has happened in the past two years. I always assumed that being an educated person with valuable experience, skills kept up to date, a good work history, good references etc. would mean you could always find suitable employment. It's just not true any more. Manufacturing is gone. Service jobs have gone to India. Financial services - well, you know. Pharmaceutical jobs were once the most sought after in our area - now the pharmaceutical companies are closing and laying off right and left. Healthcare jobs - also job freezes and layoffs, at least in our area. Teaching jobs - forget about it. If there are geographical areas in our country or job sectors where there is growth, I would be very interested to know where they are. While it may not happen in my lifetime, I do hope that the spirit of innovation that made America what it once was will eventually turn this around. If not, we'd better all learn to speak Chinese.

Thank you thak you thank you..I was sitting here getting upset feeling like I was pretty much being told that my husband & I were fools because we quit jobs & moved to FL without having jobs lined up. I only opened the thread becaus I was curious how people felt about the subject. Then I saw a post from someone who said she is a recruiter in Tampa, FL and thought OK let her help ME. I'm extrememly glad you posted.

 

[eliza61]

On an individual scale that can be a solution, but on a broader scale it just doesn't work because even in-demand fields can only absorb so many new grads. Cutting way back is going to be the only choice for many out of work Americans. That's the nature of a service economy - for every one nurse or teacher making a decent wage, there will be a half-dozen fry cooks and cashiers who never will. Manufacturing and construction were the foundation of a broad middle class, and without that foundation the reality is that a lot of people in this country will never do better than paycheck-to-paycheck.

I remember reading, a million years ago in an econ 101 class, an economist who stated quite forcefully that globalization could only have one outcome - a declining standard of living for workers in developed nations that wouldn't level off until wages between the developed and developing world reached equilibrium. We're starting to see that now; American labor can't compete price-wise with Chinese/Indian/Vietnamese/Pakistani labor, so American labor is unemployed. To talk about that is suicide for a politician or leader, though, because no one wants to admit that the price of that $10 Walmart hair dryer is ultimately going to be a sizable American underclass.

I always enjoy your post Colleen, whether or not we agree.

Have you ever seen the documentary about Walmart? I think it's called "the Walmartization of America"?
Very interesting.
How much of this is our fault? Globalization definitely means a lower standard of living for us. We make virtually zippo now. We have made the "bottom" line they most important factor in all our decisions without regard to the consequences. When I say we, I mean the general public. no one specifically.

 

[C.Ann]

I think it's a defense mechanism for people. If they can blame the poor and the rape victim then they can some how convince themselves it could never happen to them.

Why was she so stupid to wear that short skirt?

I see it here all the time. I'm amazed at how many people here know some one on welfare and food stamps that are living in a mcmansion and going to Disney world every year. When the reality is 360 degrees different (I work with the homeless and poor and believe me they are not rolling around in lexuses). So we label them all as lazy and cheats and then parade about how we are scarificing by living in shoe boxes to pay for their lazy ways.

Go figure.

Sad, isn't it? I don't know what it is about the DIS, but I see more sweeping generalizations, exaggerations, and "it will never happen to us" claims here than I do on any other message board I visit.. The bitterness and cruel remarks aimed at those who are temporairly in a tough situation actually make me cringe.. It seems that everyone has the "answer" - until they themselves find the rug has been pulled out from underneath them.. I never heard the term "funemployment" - until I read it here just now - and it truly sickens me..

Wouldn't it be nice if people could find encouragement here - rather than criticism; "easy" solutions that aren't viable; tall tales of 80% of their friends, relatives, and acquaintances living off welfare (because they're too lazy to work) - and the other 20% having a grand old time on this so-called "funemployment"?

I'm sorry that I came back to this thread.. I was naive enough to believe that people would be having a rational discussion here rather than kicking people when they're already down..

To those here who find themselves in this unfortunate situation, please know that not everyone believes you're sitting around on your butts doing absolutely nothing.. I - for one - will be keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.. Hopefully things will turn around for you very, very soon..

 

[Luvchefmic]

Thank you too C.Ann I stated above why I posted to begin with. You know I see this more * more on the boards I try so hard to reach out to people whether its a sick pet or new to the boards and want info...the time I reach out & let my guard down to "air our dirty laundry" a poster feels it necessary to inquire WHY we moved here, thus saying our situation is our fault...not worth it & I will have to decide who to ignore and who is like minded...so thanks again

 

[Virgderon]

Thank you thak you thank you..I was sitting here getting upset feeling like I was pretty much being told that my husband & I were fools because we quit jobs & moved to FL without having jobs lined up. I only opened the thread becaus I was curious how people felt about the subject. Then I saw a post from someone who said she is a recruiter in Tampa, FL and thought OK let her help ME. I'm extrememly glad you posted.

I do occasionally get customer service jobs in Tampa. They want someone who has inbound and outbound calling experience, and they prefer if you have worked in a medical or health insurance company. If you pm me, I will give you my work e-mail to send your resume to.

 

[Luvchefmic]

I do occasionally get customer service jobs in Tampa. They want someone who has inbound and outbound calling experience, and they prefer if you have worked in a medical or health insurance company. If you pm me, I will give you my work e-mail to send your resume to.

Thank you very much I'm PMing you now

 

[nunzia]

<<If not, we'd better all learn to speak Chinese. >>>


Yep..I said the same thing a few pages back...
__________________

 

[Goobergal99]

Until I was unemployed I thought the same way you did. Ok, so I've been a legal assistant for almost my whole career; I can translate those skills to another career. Doesn't happen. In our world today, employers can afford to choose people with exactly the experience they are looking for, and if you haven't been working in that sector, you don't have it. Get a degree and start from the bottom? Sounds great, but the reality is that even the community colleges cost money and if you're already living on a lot less no way can you afford it. And then, when you go to get a job you're going to need experience to get that job. My daughter graduated as with an RN degree last year and we all know the medical field is hiring because that's what we're being told, right? Well, guess what. The hospitals are laying off and you need at least a year's experience for the ones who are hiring. She was able to get employment at a nursing home, working full-time hours but not being classified as full-time (hence, no benefits); she was considered "pool". So my point is, it's easy to say what you would do if and when you are unemployed but the reality is that it's not that simple.

All I am going to say is I work for the largest health care employer in philadelphia and not a single employee let alone nurse has been laid off by my company during this entire ordeal. Sometimes I truly think this whole idea of RN's not being able to get jobs has alot more to do with their own personal job preference then it does with hospitals not hiring new grads. We just hired a whole lot of them

 

[ccgirl]

All I am going to say is I work for the largest health care employer in philadelphia and not a single employee let alone nurse has been laid off by my company during this entire ordeal. Sometimes I truly think this whole idea of RN's not being able to get jobs has alot more to do with their own personal job preference then it does with hospitals not hiring new grads. We just hired a whole lot of them

Not true here in MA. I wish it was. I worked for a very large healthcare organization and they laid off about 400 in one fell swoop (I was one of them). A lot of those were nurses as well. With so many nurses looking for jobs around here they require experience. Not saying they won't hire new grads but I know plenty that couldn't get a full time job at a hospital and instead had to get the experience at a nursing home.

 

[Colleen27]

All I am going to say is I work for the largest health care employer in philadelphia and not a single employee let alone nurse has been laid off by my company during this entire ordeal. Sometimes I truly think this whole idea of RN's not being able to get jobs has alot more to do with their own personal job preference then it does with hospitals not hiring new grads. We just hired a whole lot of them

Like most things, it is probably regional. Everything here in my part of Michigan is hurting. Manufacturing and construction are our biggest industries, so you can imagine where that leaves us right now. So many people are leaving the area to find work that we have more of everything - from schools to doctors offices to retail to restaurants - than we need for the population that's left, and even higher-demand occupations end up subject to hiring freezes or layoffs.

 

[bsusanmb]

There was a huge layoff at our community hospital in my home town. They even let the wound, ostomy, continence nurse go. What is a shame is that now a lot of those nurses are working agency for that same hospital and making more money, but not the benefits and retirement they once had. At the university hospital here there are lots of travelers and agency nurses. Seems to be the trend. When we baby boomers retire, there will be lots of jobs. But we have to hold off retiring due to the stock market bottoming out.

There are very few jobs for college grads, high school grads, and people laid off from jobs in our area.

 

[rumrunnergirl]

.