Unemployment Questions - looking for advice.

[CathrynRose]

My girlfriend was laid off last April. She was and always has been an account manager, for the past 20 or so at various companies.

Not this past Monday, but the Monday previous, she started at a new job. She was super excited.

But this job was sold to her as something completely different than what it actually is. My g/f's experience is Account Managing - this is sales. Her base salary is 1/3 of what she used to make, and the rest is made up in commissions. Plus - the days are much much longer than she was told (she's getting in at 8 and leaving at 8, sometimes 9 and has been as late as 10!) She has a 4 y/o daughter - none of this is working. And now they're requiring them to work 1/2 days on Saturdays.

My g/f is devastated. She doesn't know what to do. She realizes she should be grateful to have a job in this economy, but her childcare alone is eating up her paycheck - and she has yet to make any sales. (it's been 8 work days)

Does anyone know if she could go back on unemployment? Is there a 'probationary' period for starting new jobs, that you could decide 'this isn't working out' and go back to unemployment?

She has job searched endlessly for the months she was unemployed. She's not looking to sit on her butt and not work - but she's not happy *at all* with what this is. It wasn't sold to her like this, at all.

This is a 40 something y/o woman, whom is an experienced big company account manager. She's working with straight out of High School aged people, in sales.

She doesn't know what to do. Can her unemployment be reinstated, at her previous amount? Can she leave this job?

I don't know if I'm explaining what she's asking, correctly. Let me know if you need clarification.

Any help is appreciated.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

She should probably check with the unemployment office. My understanding is that unemployement is for loss of a job through no fault of your own--initiated by the employer.

I cannot recall how--but an employer in some way contributes to the unemployment (insurance?) and if she were to quit, I think it would be her new employer who would be footing the bill. And of course, since they didn't terminate her--they will dispute the claim and she will likely be declared ineligible.

Since laws vary by state--she really will need to consult her state laws to verify that information. Her dilemma may give her a way out. But she probably may not have access to her prior benefits based on her prior job.

But she unfortunately--may be out of luck. And it stinks that the job is different than how it was presented in interviews. Ugh!

Her best bet is to continue the job search on the side. I'm sure the job pays way more than what she would receive on unemployment (unless it were commissioned based, perhaps?).

 

[Binnie]

The advice to check with the local office is good. It used to be that UI was only granted under very strict parameters (like discharge from employment, etc.), but lately because of the volume of claims, they tend to be a little looser.

If your friend were here in VA, she could quit her current job and her UI would likely be reinstated, based on the fact that the job wasn't what she was promised, etc. And 8 days shouldn't affect her eligibility amount, any which way.

 

[CathrynRose]

But she unfortunately--may be out of luck. And it stinks that the job is different than how it was presented in interviews. Ugh!

Her best bet is to continue the job search on the side. I'm sure the job pays way more than what she would receive on unemployment (unless it were commissioned based, perhaps?).

I know. It does stink.

I also, as she thought about it too - continuing the job search. But with these crazy, crazy hours they're now asking of her, it's close to impossible.

And her pay is more than unemployment - but she's paying for childcare now, and paying double time when they insist they stay. She's scared. If it continued down this road, unemployment is more - KWIM?

The advice to check with the local office is good. It used to be that UI was only granted under very strict parameters (like discharge from employment, etc.), but lately because of the volume of claims, they tend to be a little looser.

If your friend were here in VA, she could quit her current job and her UI would likely be reinstated, based on the fact that the job wasn't what she was promised, etc. And 8 days shouldn't affect her eligibility amount, any which way.

Thanks for the reply.

She's going to need to call unemployment.

 

[quentina]

I hate to say no however; I don't think so. She left the first job at her own accord.....In PA, that is a no.

I would look into it. Every state is different.

Good luck.....is it possible for her to get her old job back?

 

[Pugdog007]

How long was she employed with the company she was laid off from? If it was a long time, her unemployment can likely be reinstated. Her original company would be paying the unemployment, not the one she just began.

 

[Tink888]

Yes, definitely have her contact the unemployment office to check and tell her to do it immediately. If she is able to go back on UC and she's only been working for 7 days, she might be able to stay under her existing claim rather than having to file a new one.

I want to say she won't be able to do it, but hey, you never know and it can't hurt to try. Good luck to her!

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

Have her work the hours that she agreed to and leave on schedule. If they fire her, she can fight for, and probably receive, unemployment benefits again...

 

[CathrynRose]

I hate to say no however; I don't think so. She left the first job at her own accord.....In PA, that is a no.

I would look into it. Every state is different.

Good luck.....is it possible for her to get her old job back?

She was laid off from job number one.

This would be the second one.

How long was she employed with the company she was laid off from? If it was a long time, her unemployment can likely be reinstated. Her original company would be paying the unemployment, not the one she just began.

She was with the company that laid her off about 2 - 2.5 years.

She was laid off in April 2009.

Have her work the hours that she agreed to and leave on schedule. If they fire her, she can fight for, and probably receive, unemployment benefits again...

I worry about her then rec'vg unemployment on UNEMPLOYMENT payments - kwim?

Currently - Illinois is something like 92 weeks, on the claim she initially filed. And the money she was making - she rec'vd Illinois' maximum amount.

If she had to file another claim - she wouldn't be on the initial claim.