"Can't afford to work"

[Lohman446]

Interesting - I am in a state with tremendous unemployment. Had a job opening and posted it, got a dozen or so replies (skilled trade, that does not include those who were not really considered).

I pay pretty well - better than most other jobs in the area and better than the vast majority of those in this field.

All that said I had many of the applicants flat out state they could not afford to take a job when they factored in unemployment benefits + health care benefits + cost of working (gas, lunch, etc).

Thoughts?

[vf-xx]

Remind them that Unemployment benefits don't last forever.

That and then they need to learn how to pack a lunch.

Honestly the whole concept of "can't afford to get off the dole" seems piss poor mentality. One of the reasons I have issues with welfare.

That said, I've been on unemployment before, but I got back to work as fast as I could. Couldn't respect myself to get money I didn't earn.

[behemoth]

If you're willing to teach, and i'd be making enough to afford a 1bdrm apt, hire me instead.

You'll hear no complaints

[PyRo]

I was laid off for a couple weeks and I was making almost as much on unemployment as I was working. It's crazy, this we have to help everyone mentality has gone too far with too many taking advantage.

[SCpoloRicker]

At least we aren't as bad as Britain.

[maniacmechanic]

man , from what I HEAR unemployment sucks in fla , the max per week ( from what I HEAR ) is about 325$ to 350$ a week thats the MAX , I couldn't live off that , on a 40 hr week I make a little less double that

[Hexis]

My wife has been unemployed for an extended period. She works part time, but collects unemployment to make up some of the difference. But she can't just take any job because if she works over a number of hours she gets no benefits. It kinda puts us in a tough position. She can't work too much, or find a crappy job because her income will take a huge hit.

In the past I have been unemployed (very happy to be currently gainfully employed). Being a decently paid IT worker means the the benefit amount was significantly less than my salary (before being laid-off). Now it would be even worse (something like 1/3th my normal income).

I don't see utilizing unemployment insurance as taking advantage of the system. The benefit amount is based on your previous wages. In part because your previous payroll taxes are what funded your benefits. It's something you paid for. There is no reason to not utilize it when it's needed. It's not like it's unlimited. I know over the years I have contributed far more than I will ever be able to utilize in the form of benefits (and that's a good thing).

[Lohman446]

I don't see a problem in it being utilized, and its there for a reason. But at this point I think, with basically being promised a year and a half, some people have decided to live off of it rather than looking for anything other than there "ideal" job

[FiXeL]

man , from what I HEAR unemployment sucks in fla , the max per week ( from what I HEAR ) is about 325$ to 350$ a week thats the MAX , I couldn't live off that , on a 40 hr week I make a little less double that

That's more than unemployed get in the netherlands i'm guessing. It used to be very social but they stripped it all down. Now if you get unemployed you can get a temporary benefit that covers 70% of your last payed salary. But after 6 months you go to wellfare and that is way less than an average salary. Granted, you have a right to certain benefits that come with having a low income but it's not easy making a living out of it.

Been there once, unemployed for 6 months after i quit school and entered a program for unemployed teenagers, and it did not turn out that bad. Haven't been unemployed for 11 years now. But my contract is up in march 2010 and i do fear that if our company does not get more contracts, i might get booted out. Even though they told me at the last review i was a good employee and they like to keep me, that does not give much certainty these days...

[drg]

Means you aren't paying enough to hire a worker of that caliber.

Offer to pay more, or accept a lesser worker. And support healthcare reform.

It's not simply "can't afford to work," it's "can't afford to work that job". As the previous guy said, your unemployment is based on what you paid in at your previous job. It helps you get through and try to get a job similar to your last, to avoid major life upheaval (the entire point).

If they are still jobless when their benefits run out, then the equation changes quite a bit, but until then, you will have to offer more to get those people.

[bornl33t]

Means you aren't paying enough to hire a worker of that caliber.

Offer to pay more, or accept a lesser worker. And support healthcare reform.

It's not simply "can't afford to work," it's "can't afford to work that job". As the previous guy said, your unemployment is based on what you paid in at your previous job. It helps you get through and try to get a job similar to your last, to avoid major life upheaval (the entire point).

If they are still jobless when their benefits run out, then the equation changes quite a bit, but until then, you will have to offer more to get those people.

....man you drang the socialist cool aid big time huh? We shipped manufacturing jobs over seas so once the service jobs are replaced with welfare we are left with CEO! Not everyone can be CEO dude....do you work? Are you gay? What's your agenda here?

[maniacmechanic]

drg , do you own a business ?? or are you just a worker like a lot of us ? from what i've read about the healthcare plan ( at this point it is over 1000 pages , how many senators & rep's will read it ) , I don't want it , my BC/BS is fine , which i'll probley loose , because my employer will not pay a tax for gov funded ins. & my BC/BS payment
Seems to me like a lot of folks don't realize that we have to take care of ourselves , the goverment is not mean't to run our day to day lives

[skife]

i support the socialized healthcare, only because i have none and the last job that i found that provided health care laid me off a week before it kicked in, then called me back a month and a half later wanting me to wait another 60 days.

[Lohman446]

Means you aren't paying enough to hire a worker of that caliber.

Offer to pay more, or accept a lesser worker. And support healthcare reform.

It's not simply "can't afford to work," it's "can't afford to work that job". As the previous guy said, your unemployment is based on what you paid in at your previous job. It helps you get through and try to get a job similar to your last, to avoid major life upheaval (the entire point).

If they are still jobless when their benefits run out, then the equation changes quite a bit, but until then, you will have to offer more to get those people.

Without getting into numbers I would point out that it is not as simplistic as you make it out to be. I do research pay numbers, I like to keep techs once they are hired. Unfortunately the equation is not as simplistic as you seem to think. In order to pay more I have to find the money, in order to do that I have to raise rates. I can't just pay everyone more to make everyone happy.

[maniacmechanic]

Interesting - I am in a state with tremendous unemployment. Had a job opening and posted it, got a dozen or so replies (skilled trade, that does not include those who were not really considered).

I pay pretty well - better than most other jobs in the area and better than the vast majority of those in this field.

All that said I had many of the applicants flat out state they could not afford to take a job when they factored in unemployment benefits + health care benefits + cost of working (gas, lunch, etc).

Thoughts?

I just reread this & something just hit me ; I wonder what the unemployment folks would think about these folks turning down work ?? seems to me , in the best interest of business owners & taxpayers ( who are funding the "dole" ) to get folks back to work
mabey you should go through the Unemployment office & try to find someone that way