Refusing a temp job while on unemployment?

[RainbowBryte]

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

They've made it too general. You could argue that a temp agency is not the same as a company hiring you for a permanent position. A temp agency is not required to give you any work at all. It's all based on what they have available, and it's certainly not considered stable employment.

 

[TeacupDemon]

They've made it too general. You could argue that a temp agency is not the same as a company hiring you for a permanent position. A temp agency is not required to give you any work at all. It's all based on what they have available, and it's certainly not considered stable employment.

That doesn't really matter. If you filled out an application, and showed identification to complete an I9 form to verify employment eligibility, you are an employee of the agency. If they offer you a position, it is coming from an employer, which is why we're required to report any work refusals. As the employer, the staffing agency is paying part of your unemployment costs (at least here in VT), and it is in their best interest to get you working as soon as possible.

 

[tlbwriter]

They've made it too general. You could argue that a temp agency is not the same as a company hiring you for a permanent position. A temp agency is not required to give you any work at all. It's all based on what they have available, and it's certainly not considered stable employment.

Who pays you? If it's the temp agency, then you're working for the temp agency, and they are loaning you out to others. Just like working for a cleaning service or a security agency where you work at the customer's site, I believe. They loan you out when they have work for you, and when they have no work for you, they don't pay you.

 

[RainbowBryte]

That doesn't really matter. If you filled out an application, and showed identification to complete an I9 form to verify employment eligibility, you are an employee of the agency. If they offer you a position, it is coming from an employer, which is why we're required to report any work refusals. As the employer, the staffing agency is paying part of your unemployment costs (at least here in VT), and it is in their best interest to get you working as soon as possible.

Then let me ask you this. When it's been almost a year since you came in their office and signed those papers and they've yet to send you on a job (until now) how long do you consider them your "employer?"

 

[mickeyboat]

They've made it too general. You could argue that a temp agency is not the same as a company hiring you for a permanent position. A temp agency is not required to give you any work at all. It's all based on what they have available, and it's certainly not considered stable employment.

It's not the same - but that can be said for any employer. If my employer lays off people or cuts hours due to lack of work, employees can file for unemployment. But if we offer hours and the employees refuse, they will not receive unemployment pay for the hours we offered. It's not considered stable employment, but it is considered a suitable job, so they are not eligible for benefits.

 

[ccgirl]

They've made it too general. You could argue that a temp agency is not the same as a company hiring you for a permanent position. A temp agency is not required to give you any work at all. It's all based on what they have available, and it's certainly not considered stable employment.

I don't think they made it too general though. One of the question asked if you turned down work. That answer would be yes. I get it wasn't your ideal pay. I have been in your shoes. Laid off twice in 18 months. Each time I took a new job I was making less money than before. Personally, I would answer the questions truthfully it is committing perjury otherwise.

 

[TeacupDemon]

Then let me ask you this. When it's been almost a year since you came in their office and signed those papers and they've yet to send you on a job (until now) how long do you consider them your "employer?"

It depends. For my company, after 12 months without an assignment, you'd have to come in and complete a new I9 before we could send you out on any job. Or you could call us at any time and tell us that you are no longer interested in working with us and have yourself removed.

When you say that they've yet to send you on a job, remember they can only offer what's available. They offered you what they have, and you determined that you were not interested. That's fine, one of the benefits of temporary employment is that in most cases you're not required to accept every position that's offered.

Whether the unemployment office determines that an individual's refusal of work results in termination of benefits is not up to the staffing agency, its up to the state. We just document the refusal.

 

[jen0610]

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.

I was going to say the same thing.

DH has been unemployed since Oct 2009. For the most part, he has just been a full time student. Back in Aug 2010, he was able to get on with a company that does security jobs - temp jobs. The first thing he did with them was for 2 weeks. He went almost 2 months wit no assignment, then he got a 1 day assignment. The next week it was 3 days, 3rd week 2 days. Every time he does these types of work, he just has to put down that he worked and how much he made. Unemployment makes up the difference between what he was paid and what he would have gotten paid from them for a full week.

Since the 1st of the year, he has been on a 3 month assignment. Every week, we show what he is making. Every week, he gets a deposit into his unemployment card, for the very small amount difference. He was told he did not have to start his claim, as they knew he was only working a temp position. According to them, even if he got a part time job, if that part time job did not pay him more than what his unemployment payment is, he would still file and they would make up the differnce.

This is for in Indiana.

 

[disneyfreakk]

I dont get why you would turn down a job where you would be making $260 more a month? Even with it only being for 3 months, thats still $780 more than what you would "make" on unemployment.

 

[RainbowBryte]

I dont get why you would turn down a job where you would be making $260 more a month? Even with it only being for 3 months, thats still $780 more than what you would "make" on unemployment.

Well first of all, it would not be $260 more a month after taxes. Second of all, $8.50 an hour is still not enough to pay all of my bills. Third of all, it is a commute, so more gas and $40 a month in bridge tolls. And fourth and most importantly, my concern of losing my unemployment if I still needed it after the three months. My benefit year ends in May - so I would have to file a new claim and they would base it on the $8.50 job.

 

[Feralpeg]

OP, please be aware that there is a bill being debated in Tallahassee. If it passes, it will limit the amount of time a person can collect unemployment. They passed this bill last year, but Gov. Christ vetoed it. Gov. Scott endorses this bill and wants it to pass to save the state money. This could put you in a difficult position since you have been collecting for almost a year.

 

[npmommie]

OP I understand the predicament you are describing and your hesitation to take the temp job
maybe you could call the temp agency back and request a higher pay rate for the job, especially if they have no one else to offer it to, they may be able to get you another dollar or two per hour. Its worth a shot.

the other thing, is the company may say its only temporary but it very well could turn permanent. maybe the person you are replacing will not be back, all kinds of things happen and change, and also they may have a different position to offer you once they see your work and like you.
It stinks, but it is worth it in the sense it may lead to a perm job.
good luck!

 

[ccgirl]

Well first of all, it would not be $260 more a month after taxes. Second of all, $8.50 an hour is still not enough to pay all of my bills. Third of all, it is a commute, so more gas and $40 a month in bridge tolls. And fourth and most importantly, my concern of losing my unemployment if I still needed it after the three months. My benefit year ends in May - so I would have to file a new claim and they would base it on the $8.50 job.

You pay taxes on unemployment as well. If you don't pay them now you will pay them at tax time. I'm confused though, if it is more than you are getting paid in unemployment and you say you cannot pay bills on that wage; how are you paying now? They would not base unemployment solely on the $8.50 job. The $8.50 job would only be for 3 months so I don't see if affecting the total much. We just had an open position at my work. Someone applied that had been on unemployment for a year. They wouldn't even look call her in for an interview. Bottom line, when on unemployment you cannot turn down a job. If you are confused about that, answer the question truthfully. I am sure they are going to want to know why you turned down the job. Maybe because it was a temporary position they will let it slide? I don't know. In any case, personally, I wouldn't put myself in the position of committing perjury or unemployment fraud. Heck, I went to WDW when I was laid off. I called from Disney as I was supposed to. When they asked if I was available to work; I was truthful and said no. Of course they transferred me to someone. They asked why I was unavailable and I said I was on vacation. They said I would not get paid that week. I was fine with that. Did I want that? No. Could I have lied? Yes, but I would be committing perjury and unemployment insurance fraud. When I got back I pounded the pavement again and started collecting my unemployment. Of course, you are going to make up your own mind. Do what you think is right.

 

[RainbowBryte]

You pay taxes on unemployment as well. If you don't pay them now you will pay them at tax time. I'm confused though, if it is more than you are getting paid in unemployment and you say you cannot pay bills on that wage; how are you paying now? They would not base unemployment solely on the $8.50 job. The $8.50 job would only be for 3 months so I don't see if affecting the total much. We just had an open position at my work. Someone applied that had been on unemployment for a year. They wouldn't even look call her in for an interview. Bottom line, when on unemployment you cannot turn down a job. If you are confused about that, answer the question truthfully. I am sure they are going to want to know why you turned down the job. Maybe because it was a temporary position they will let it slide? I don't know. In any case, personally, I wouldn't put myself in the position of committing perjury or unemployment fraud. Heck, I went to WDW when I was laid off. I called from Disney as I was supposed to. When they asked if I was available to work; I was truthful and said no. Of course they transferred me to someone. They asked why I was unavailable and I said I was on vacation. They said I would not get paid that week. I was fine with that. Did I want that? No. Could I have lied? Yes, but I would be committing perjury and unemployment insurance fraud. When I got back I pounded the pavement again and started collecting my unemployment. Of course, you are going to make up your own mind. Do what you think is right.

I've gotten some help from my parents. I am like you too. I would be too scared to lie. This is what I'm going to do. Tomorrow morning I will call them back and say that if the position is still open, I will take it. If it is, I will take it and deal with it. If not, great. At least then I am not refusing anything and can answer truthfully when I claim my weeks. The last time I talked to them, they didn't say whether or not the position was filled yet.

 

[disney1990]

I worked temporarily for the Census Bureau several times while I was on unemployment. I worked for 2 to 4 months and then went back on unemployment when the job ended. You really have nothing to lose because it extends the time that you can collect unemployment, because those months you are working are not counted.

 

[j's m]

Hello from Florida!

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.

I've gotten some help from my parents. I am like you too. I would be too scared to lie. This is what I'm going to do. Tomorrow morning I will call them back and say that if the position is still open, I will take it. If it is, I will take it and deal with it. If not, great. At least then I am not refusing anything and can answer truthfully when I claim my weeks. The last time I talked to them, they didn't say whether or not the
position was filled yet.

Unemployment insurance fraud.

You said you told her no on the job, now you're saying truthfully about not turning it down. Do you really think she was going to hold the job open for you after you turned it down? She has her job to do, filling the position.

I'm an employer, you give unemployed people a bad name.

 

[RainbowBryte]

Unemployment insurance fraud.

You said you told her no on the job, now you're saying truthfully about not turning it down. Do you really think she was going to hold the job open for you after you turned it down? She has her job to do, filling the position.

I'm an employer, you give unemployed people a bad name.

No it isn't fraud. I called her back the second time ten minutes later and said that I would consider the job but was concerned about what would happen with unemployment, and that's when she told me to look into it because she didn't know.

And gee thanks for the dig. Like you know anything about the kind of person I am. Be glad you have a job and consider having a little compassion for people in difficult situations. I didn't ask to be laid off, and would love nothing more to have a good job again.

 

[RainbowBryte]

Unemployment insurance fraud.

You said you told her no on the job, now you're saying truthfully about not turning it down. Do you really think she was going to hold the job open for you after you turned it down? She has her job to do, filling the position.

I'm an employer, you give unemployed people a bad name.

And perhaps you should read the entire thread so you know the whole story.

 

[ems_mom]

My daughter was laid off from her job three years ago. She had been making good money, and her unemployment would have covered her basic bills. I say would have because she only received it for two months. The employment agency she was working with to help her find a similar job (sales, specifically real estate) actually offered her a job with them in their office.

The owner of this firm was an older man who was way too friendly and creeped her out. There were only two other employees.

This job was not was she was looking for and with the bad vibes, she respectfully declined the offer.

Well, the owner wasted no time in reporting her to the state for declining a job offer. Her unemployment was terminated and as a last resort she got a waitressing job...where she is now the assistant manager and wine director.

I just can't believe what an ******* the guy who was supposed to be helping her find a job in her field behaved. There should be rules about this!

Phew, had to get that off my chest.

 

[RainbowBryte]

My daughter was laid off from her job three years ago. She had been making good money, and her unemployment would have covered her basic bills. I say would have because she only received it for two months. The employment agency she was working with to help her find a similar job (sales, specifically real estate) actually offered her a job with them in their office.

The owner of this firm was an older man who was way too friendly and creeped her out. There were only two other employees.

This job was not was she was looking for and with the bad vibes, she respectfully declined the offer.

Well, the owner wasted no time in reporting her to the state for declining a job offer. Her unemployment was terminated and as a last resort she got a waitressing job...where she is now the assistant manager and wine director.

I just can't believe what an ******* the guy who was supposed to be helping her find a job in her field behaved. There should be rules about this!

Phew, had to get that off my chest.

Wow...unreal! Yep, there should definitely be rules about it. Everyone deserves a choice in where they work. You shouldn't lose that right because you're on unemployment.

I was laid off back in 2007 and never even applied for unemployment because I didn't want to deal with the hassle - I used my savings until I found a new job. I wish I had been able to do the same this time, so I could have the freedom of selecting a job that was reasonable for my needs, God forbid.