Refusing a temp job while on unemployment?

[tlbwriter]

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.

You've been off work more than 26 weeks, right? So you're receiving extended benefits? If so, does this job pay at least 100% of what you were receiving for unemployment?

 

[RainbowBryte]

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?

Well, I had told them I was only interested in a permanent position and for no less than $13 an hour. They are the only employment agency I have ever used, and I wasn't aware they could go against my wishes and force me into taking a job that wasn't what I was looking for. Believe me, I've learned my lesson and will not be contacting them or any other employment agency if I find myself laid off again.

I was told about the opening from the employment agency. It is definitely not a temp to perm position, just three months and you're done.

 

[TeacupDemon]

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

The unemployment office may already know. I work in staffing, and we are required to report work refusals to our corporate unemployment office, who then report to the state unemployment office.

 

[RainbowBryte]

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?

So if the new job is on there, that would probably mean that I would get less unemployment. So I guess I would have to hope that I get a permanent job by the end of those threee months. Awesome.

I couldn't get through to an actual person, so I will try again later.

You've been off work more than 26 weeks, right? So you're receiving extended benefits? If so, does this job pay at least 100% of what you were receiving for unemployment?

Right, and I get the maximum weekly benefit, which is $275. $8.50 an hour would be $340 a week, which is not much more than unemployment, after taxes.

 

[luvmy3]

Well, I had told them I was only interested in a permanent position and for no less than $13 an hour. They are the only employment agency I have ever used, and I wasn't aware they could go against my wishes and force me into taking a job that wasn't what I was looking for. Believe me, I've learned my lesson and will not be contacting them or any other employment agency if I find myself laid off again.

I was told about the opening from the employment agency. It is definitely not a temp to perm position, just three months and you're done.

So, technicaly you aren't turning down a job offer since the company hasn't officially offered you a job. I would call the unemployment office and ask what happens when a temp agency finds an opening but that it doesn't match what your requirements (given to them) were. You don't need to tell them that it has happened, but you are just wondering so you can be prepared if such a situation comes up. To me there is a difference in turning down an actual job offer and turning down an interview set up by the agency, however I don't know how the State of FL sees it.

 

[RainbowBryte]

The unemployment office may already know. I work in staffing, and we are required to report work refusals to our corporate unemployment office, who then report to the state unemployment office.

Well I called the employment agency back to tell her what I had found out so far, and she said she'd just let me know if something better came along. So I flat out asked her if they report a job refusal to unemployment and she said "No. We are supposed to, but we don't." She said not to sweat it, so I will just have to trust her and not worry about it.

 

[RainbowBryte]

So, technicaly you aren't turning down a job offer since the company hasn't officially offered you a job. I would call the unemployment office and ask what happens when a temp agency finds an opening but that it doesn't match what your requirements (given to them) were. You don't need to tell them that it has happened, but you are just wondering so you can be prepared if such a situation comes up. To me there is a difference in turning down an actual job offer and turning down an interview set up by the agency, however I don't know how the State of FL sees it.

Yeah, and it's not even an interview. The only time I interview for a job through them is if it's a permanent position. I had one last week and sadly didn't get the job. I was really bummed because it was a good opportunity. If I had said yes to this temp job, they would have just sent me.

 

[Robinrs]

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

Then do a search on their website. They have to have the boundaries and rules there.

Do you have to verify weekly? What kind of questions do they ask? We were always asked if we were offered work and if we refused it. The answers are recorded and if they find out different you can lose your benefits. Be very careful.

 

[Tinkermommy]

So, technicaly you aren't turning down a job offer since the company hasn't officially offered you a job. I would call the unemployment office and ask what happens when a temp agency finds an opening but that it doesn't match what your requirements (given to them) were. You don't need to tell them that it has happened, but you are just wondering so you can be prepared if such a situation comes up. To me there is a difference in turning down an actual job offer and turning down an interview set up by the agency, however I don't know how the State of FL sees it.

I think she has been offered a job. You don't typically interview for a temp job. You show up and work. If they company doesn't want you then they send you back and ask for another.

OP, I would take the job. You never know if they will have something permanent come up and think of you for it (if you make a good impression).

Honestly, its easier to find a job when you are working. I don't see how this would really hurt you. If they did adjust your remaining unemployment based on this new salary, I can't imagine it would be by that much.

 

[ccgirl]

I think she has been offered a job. You don't typically interview for a temp job. You show up and work. If they company doesn't want you then they send you back and ask for another.

OP, I would take the job. You never know if they will have something permanent come up and think of you for it (if you make a good impression).

Honestly, its easier to find a job when you are working. I don't see how this would really hurt you. If they did adjust your remaining unemployment based on this new salary, I can't imagine it would be by that much.

This. And, the way I read it the job you were offered is more than what you are making on unemployment, correct? As you found out, there are not a whole lot of jobs out there. In any case, according to the questions asked you certify you are being truthful.

 

[luvmy3]

Yeah, and it's not even an interview. The only time I interview for a job through them is if it's a permanent position. I had one last week and sadly didn't get the job. I was really bummed because it was a good opportunity. If I had said yes to this temp job, they would have just sent me.

I think she has been offered a job. You don't typically interview for a temp job. You show up and work. If they company doesn't want you then they send you back and ask for another.

OP, I would take the job. You never know if they will have something permanent come up and think of you for it (if you make a good impression).

Honestly, its easier to find a job when you are working. I don't see how this would really hurt you. If they did adjust your remaining unemployment based on this new salary, I can't imagine it would be by that much.

Thanks for the clarification, its been a long time since I have been searching for a job. When I went through a temp agency, I was set up on interviews, the agency was the middle man who sent my resume out and set them up for me.


OP, I would take it too, just for the sake of working, it may look good to employers if you have been currently working (even if it is just a temp position). There are so many people competeing for what jobs are out there, the longer you are out of work may be a deterent for employers.

 

[RainbowBryte]

Then do a search on their website. They have to have the boundaries and rules there.

Do you have to verify weekly? What kind of questions do they ask? We were always asked if we were offered work and if we refused it. The answers are recorded and if they find out different you can lose your benefits. Be very careful.

I have read the FAQs on their website so many times and all they seem to be focused on is if someone continues to claim benefits after they've started working. I can't find anything that mentions refusing jobs. If you click on "Report unemployment fraud" it just asks questions about where the individual is working.

Yep, I verify bi-weekly and they do ask those questions.

 

[ilovemk76]

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.

Reading this you have to take the job or lose your unemployment, unless you make more than $340 on unemployment.

 

[ilovemk76]

So if the new job is on there, that would probably mean that I would get less unemployment. So I guess I would have to hope that I get a permanent job by the end of those threee months. Awesome.

I couldn't get through to an actual person, so I will try again later.



Right, and I get the maximum weekly benefit, which is $275. $8.50 an hour would be $340 a week, which is not much more than unemployment, after taxes.

Unemployment is taxable.

 

[RainbowBryte]

Reading this you have to take the job or lose your unemployment, unless you make more than $340 on unemployment.

Well I would try and fight that, because I gave specific criteria and they went against my wishes and offered me something else. There is no law that says I have to work with this specific employment agency.

Thanks for the clarification, its been a long time since I have been searching for a job. When I went through a temp agency, I was set up on interviews, the agency was the middle man who sent my resume out and set them up for me.


OP, I would take it too, just for the sake of working, it may look good to employers if you have been currently working (even if it is just a temp position). There are so many people competeing for what jobs are out there, the longer you are out of work may be a deterent for employers.

I think it's too late for that. I don't know if you missed it, but I posted a little while back that I called the employment agency and she said not to worry about it and would call me if something else comes up. It may be that she found someone else to take the job. I think if I call one more time today, she will think I'm a crazy person!

 

[RainbowBryte]

And did I technically refuse the job if I called back the second time and said I'd take it, but wanted to find out how it would affect unemployment first? She didn't offer it to me again, but just said that she would call if a better job came up.

 

[RainbowBryte]

Sorry for all the posts. I think luvmy3 is right...I found this little paragraph buried in the FAQs:

"You must be able to work, be available for work and actively seeking employment to be eligible for benefits. You cannot refuse a suitable job offer from a potential employer or a referral to a suitable job from the One-Stop Career Center."

It says "potential employer," not a third-party agency. So I think it does make a difference.

 

[TeacupDemon]

Sorry for all the posts. I think luvmy3 is right...I found this little paragraph buried in the FAQs:

"You must be able to work, be available for work and actively seeking employment to be eligible for benefits. You cannot refuse a suitable job offer from a potential employer or a referral to a suitable job from the One-Stop Career Center."

It says "potential employer," not a third-party agency. So I think it does make a difference.

For temporary positions, the staffing agency is the employer, not the company where you're placed.

 

[tlbwriter]

This. And, the way I read it the job you were offered is more than what you are making on unemployment, correct?

Yes, but I think the issue is that any unemployment she receives after the temp job will be based on the salary from the temp job, not her previous job, and will be significantly lower than what she's getting now.

Well I would try and fight that, because I gave specific criteria and they went against my wishes and offered me something else. There is no law that says I have to work with this specific employment agency.

No, but it looks like the law says you do have to accept any suitable job that's offered, and according to their description, this job was suitable. I don't think you'd have a case.

Hope things work out for you.

 

[mickeyboat]

Sorry for all the posts. I think luvmy3 is right...I found this little paragraph buried in the FAQs:

"You must be able to work, be available for work and actively seeking employment to be eligible for benefits. You cannot refuse a suitable job offer from a potential employer or a referral to a suitable job from the One-Stop Career Center."

It says "potential employer," not a third-party agency. So I think it does make a difference.

It could be argued that the temp agency is considered your employer.