Refusing a temp job while on unemployment?

[RainbowBryte]

I was laid off in April 2010. In May 2010 I went to a temp agency that I had worked with before and let them know what kind of job/pay I was looking for.

As of now, March 2011, I am still unemployed. The temp agency sent my resume to a few places and sent me on a interviews recently, but I didn't get the job. Today they called me with a three month temp job for $8.50 an hour, which isn't anywhere near what I was making at my last job, and isn't enough to pay all my bills. They knew I wanted a permanent position and at least $13-14 an hour and still they offered me this. I said no, because obviously it wasn't enough money and was concerned about losing my unemployment benefits if I still didn't find permanent work by the end of the three months. I asked her if unemployment would be affected and she said she didn't know and that I should find out. I can't find the answer to my question on the Florida unemployment website, and I don't really want to call them. I am scared because the handbook the employment agency gave me says that if you refuse an assignment, your unemployment may be affected. Does that mean they can get me in trouble for saying no to this job? Do I have some sorrt of obligation to them even though in almost a year, they haven't found me any suitable employment?

I am not a lazy person, and I do want to work, but I just don't think it's fair to be obligated to accept a job that is not suitable to my needs.

 

[kellyg403]

I only know that in NC, you must accept any employment offered and your benefits are decreased or altered according to the employment. My son was a civillian contractor in Afghanistan for a few years. When he came back he had a hard time finding employment and ended up on Unemployment. He was offered a security job, making nowhere near the amount he was making. He had to take the offered employment and then he received a smaller check weekly until it stopped. Thankfully, he was able to find better employment during that time.

I guess my understanding was that it helped to bridge the gap with so many people unemployed and making sure that everyone got helped.

Hopefully you are able to find the answers that you need.

Kelly

 

[Feralpeg]

I'm not sure how Florida handles this. I do know that a friend of mine was in a similar situation in Missouri. She was offered a job that was not what she ultimately wanted, but she took it anyway. If she hadn't she ran the risk of losing unemployment.

Unfortunately, with the job market as it is in Florida, you may have to settle for a job that pays less. In fact, you may need to look at getting more than one job, if necessary, to cover bills. I don't think things are going to turn around here very soon. In fact, things seem to be getting worse.

Good luck!

 

[acejka]

Just call the unemployment office and ask. I know you don't want to but its the easiest way to get the correct answer.

 

[RainbowBryte]

I only know that in NC, you must accept any employment offered and your benefits are decreased or altered according to the employment. My son was a civillian contractor in Afghanistan for a few years. When he came back he had a hard time finding employment and ended up on Unemployment. He was offered a security job, making nowhere near the amount he was making. He had to take the offered employment and then he received a smaller check weekly until it stopped. Thankfully, he was able to find better employment during that time.

I guess my understanding was that it helped to bridge the gap with so many people unemployed and making sure that everyone got helped.

Hopefully you are able to find the answers that you need.

Kelly

See, that is what I'm really concerned about...if I don't find a permanent job by the end of those three months and have to reopen my claim, will they base my benefit amount on that $8.50 an hour job? I am trying to find out on their website. I would be totally screwed if that's the case.

 

[luvmy3]

I'm not sure why you are afraid to call and ask questions, these are answers you need, the easiest way to get them is to pick up the phone.

 

[kellyg403]

Not sure. Agree with others though, you might just have to call and ask.

My ds was able to find better employment during the time he was working as a security gaurd so he did not ask to have it extended. I honestly have no idea how that would work!

Kelly

 

[Robinrs]

I'm not sure why you are afraid to call and ask questions, these are answers you need, the easiest way to get them is to pick up the phone.

Or check their website. Georgia is VERY clear on you cannot turn down a job offer. I even know people who refuse to answer the phone if they see a certain caller id. It's crazy but it's the facts.

 

[RainbowBryte]

I'm not sure why you are afraid to call and ask questions, these are answers you need, the easiest way to get them is to pick up the phone.

Because I didn't want to call attention to myself with unemployment. lol maybe I an just too paranoid.

 

[TheIncredibles!]

http://www.lsgmi.org/downloads/THE UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE PROGRAM.pdf



C. WHAT HAPPENS IF I REFUSE A SUITABLE JOB OFFER?
If you refuse a suitable job offer you will be disqualified* from receiving benefits. A suitable
job is work which you are physically able to do and which you have the training to do. The working
conditions must be reasonable. The longer you are unemployed the more flexible you must become
as to wages, location and type of work.
After you have been unemployed 25 weeks, you must take/accept an otherwise “suitable” job
that pays 120% over your unemployment benefits. EXCEPT: You must make at least minimum
wage, you cannot be forced to take a job made vacant by a strike or which requires you to join or
resign from a union.
If you use up your regular unemployment benefits (26 weeks at most) you may be eligible
to begin receiving extended benefits* if they are available. A “suitable” job must pay only 100% of
your extended unemployment benefits.

 

[luvmy3]

Because I didn't want to call attention to myself with unemployment. lol maybe I an just too paranoid.

You may be able to speak to someone and ask general questions about accepting temp work and how it applies to your unemployment status, before having to reveal all the info about exactly what your situation is.
I just wouldn't trust people here (not anything against DISers of course) because this is not something you want to get false info about.

 

[LindaG4458]

When I was in MA I was unemployed after I was laid off from a well-paying accounting job. After a while I was unemployed and my benefits would run out in about a month. I took a temp job for less than my unemployment, reported the gross pay, and received checks for the unemployment less the gross pay earned.

The benefits ended up lasting three more months rather than one. It also gave me a chance to show what I could do to the temp agency and got me better temp assignments later. One turned into full time employment.

Do you recieve any kind of form that asks about employment during a period of time? That would be where you would report your income.

 

[RainbowBryte]

Or check their website. Georgia is VERY clear on you cannot turn down a job offer. I even know people who refuse to answer the phone if they see a certain caller id. It's crazy but it's the facts.

I know...I shouldn't have answered the phone.

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

Because I didn't want to call attention to myself with unemployment. lol maybe I an just too paranoid.

So, block your phone number and don't give your name. But, call and ask.

 

[Maridw]

I am also on unemployment thru Florida. I have been out of work since September 2009. I know a couple of the questions they ask when you are claiming your weeks is if you were offered any work during those weeks and if you were offered work, did you turn it down.

If you turn down this position, then you would have to do one of two things: 1) answer truthfully and say you turned down work; or 2) say that you weren't offered work and so there was nothing to turn down.

You could call unemployment and talk to them with a hypothetical situation. Just ask them what would happen in that type of situation. You could tell them that you would like to know in case it comes up since you have signed up with a temp agency.

 

[RainbowBryte]

C. WHAT HAPPENS IF I REFUSE A SUITABLE JOB OFFER?
If you refuse a suitable job offer you will be disqualified* from receiving benefits. A suitable
job is work which you are physically able to do and which you have the training to do. The working
conditions must be reasonable. The longer you are unemployed the more flexible you must become
as to wages, location and type of work.
After you have been unemployed 25 weeks, you must take/accept an otherwise “suitable” job
that pays 120% over your unemployment benefits. EXCEPT: You must make at least minimum
wage, you cannot be forced to take a job made vacant by a strike or which requires you to join or
resign from a union.
If you use up your regular unemployment benefits (26 weeks at most) you may be eligible
to begin receiving extended benefits* if they are available. A “suitable” job must pay only 100% of
your extended unemployment benefits.

Thanks for finding that. Sounds like I am doomed!

 

[diznygirl]

See, that is what I'm really concerned about...if I don't find a permanent job by the end of those three months and have to reopen my claim, will they base my benefit amount on that $8.50 an hour job? I am trying to find out on their website. I would be totally screwed if that's the case.

I don't think your claim would end and be reopened - it would continue taking into account your temporary status. My DH just did this recently.

 

[luvmy3]

OP, honest question, if you weren't willing to take a job thats offered, why did you seek the help of a temp agency? Why didn't you take it upon yourself to just send your resume only to places you were willing to work?

Also, have you been offered an actual position by the company that is hiring, or were you just told about an opening by the temp agency? Wouldn't that make a difference?

 

[RainbowBryte]

You may be able to speak to someone and ask general questions about accepting temp work and how it applies to your unemployment status, before having to reveal all the info about exactly what your situation is.
I just wouldn't trust people here (not anything against DISers of course) because this is not something you want to get false info about.

You're right. I will give them a call. At least then I will know.

I am also on unemployment thru Florida. I have been out of work since September 2009. I know a couple of the questions they ask when you are claiming your weeks is if you were offered any work during those weeks and if you were offered work, did you turn it down.

If you turn down this position, then you would have to do one of two things: 1) answer truthfully and say you turned down work; or 2) say that you weren't offered work and so there was nothing to turn down.

You could call unemployment and talk to them with a hypothetical situation. Just ask them what would happen in that type of situation. You could tell them that you would like to know in case it comes up since you have signed up with a temp agency.

So sorry to hear about your own extended unemployment. It really stinks right now. I've lost count on how many jobs I've applied for.

I am the kind of person that is paranoid about lying, especially when they have all that "under penalty of perjury" crap when you claim your weeks.

I am going to call now and pretend it's all hypothetical. Wish me luck! Hopefully after all this, I will call the employment agency and find out they gave the job to someone else!

 

[ccgirl]

In MA, when you are on unemployment you have to answer questions every week when you file. One of those is have you been offered work and if so did you turn it down? Unemployment is meant as a supplement until you find new work, not until you find your dream job. If you were to take this job and get laid off in 3 months again I believe they take so many months salary to figure out your unemployment income again. So, the new job would be on there.

I see you were going to call unemployment. How did you make out?