SecretAgentWoman: 3???

We have to do 6 job searches in Texas a week. My (required to keep) work log looks something like this:

1 Searched, nuttin'
2 Sent resume
3 Searched, nuttin'
4 Searched, nuttin'
5 Sent application online
6 Searched, nuttin'

It is insane to think that you are going to be able to find 6 jobs to apply for a week in this economy. I'm hard pressed to find 2 (and that is me lowering my standards).

The only jobs available where I live look something like this:

Babysitter at local church. They probably pay in communion wafers.

Nurse at nursing home.

Carpenter, must have 4 years experience, your own truck and tools and "medical card".

I'm not qualified for any of that shiat.

Bonus: I just found out that the 10% pay cut I am expecting may be more like 25%-40%. That's a great way to avoid paying unemployment: cut our wages so we quit.

Methinks though that if you're worried at being rehired at a lower wage by an unscrupulous employer that part of you realizes that you were getting paid way too much to begin with. It feels good and all, but we're competeing on a global market now. If someone is willing to work for less than you make, that under cuts your true value. You'll have to work for less to become employed. No one likes it, but its the truth these days.

This is all part of a greater agenda of the elite,economically ruin the working man and his family,disarm them financially,so basically all they can fight back with is with the pitchfork and gun.

i
It all happened before,and it will happen again.
So don't rob and steal from your neighbor,work together and find the REAL robbers.

Dick_Hertz: You and Weaver are great examples of the Democrats being the Party of the Stupid. If you can't figure out why what you have written is extremely stupid, then you are destined to be a Dumb-o-crat for the rest of your life.

I used to be a Republican, but I got tired of being lied to and manipulated by idiots more interested in religion than the good of this country and my fellow citizens.

Now i'm a libertarian, and i'm much much more happy.

spidermann: Last time I was on unemployment was when I was still in California. This was NorCal, so not sure if it still applies elsewhere, but I had to apply for 15 jobs per week. If I didn't hit that number I didn't get my check.

Yeah, 15 per week. Good luck finding that many jobs in one week to apply for, even in a good economy.

At that rate around here, I'd have contacted every place of business in a matter of about 3 weeks, and that's going to a town 20 miles away. Beyond that it'd be almost a 60 mile one way drive for jobs. There isn't 15 places of business in town where I live.

If you want to stay home and reel in the unemployment checks, just apply for jobs you're grossly unqualified for.

/Still waiting to hear back from Harvard Law

ck1938: 43 Days, 13 hours, and 17 minutes to be precise

No takers yet? Fine, I'll do it:

28 days, 6 hours, 42 minutes and 12 seconds

A step in the right direction. Now mandate random drug testing for welfare recipients and we're cooking with gas!

I like the unemployment process in Canada. fast, easy and based on how much you made while employed, and how long you worked. Currently looking for work in Edmonton. Used to do phone support. I will find something I am a little less overqualified for, or I will farking murder anyone who offers a phone monkey position to me.

I was downsized from a highly paid tech job in February (12 years of technical experience). Was on unemployment for almost 4 months before I found a contracting gig that paid an hourly rate similar to what I was making before but now I get 10 hours overtime a week - which means I am making about 30% more than my previous position. the down side is that now I work in an office whereas I had been a remote worker for the past 10 years. I had to wade through (and reject) many opportunities that represented a 30-50% decrease in pay before this contract came along.

I feel lucky to have found a good position with a good company at a decent rate.

Can't wait till the job market recovers so i can go back to being a remote worker again.

We have the approximately the same rules in my state. The last time I was unemployed my ending wage was $72,000/year. I got the clear impression from every state unemployment worker I talked to that they did not realistically expect me to take any damn job that came along and always wished me well in my continued search for satisfactory work in my career field. The checks kept coming and eventually I did find another job that fit my experience and qualifications.

I think it would take either an incredibly dumb or incredibly mean state unemployment worker to bust your job search balls over this. Socially these rules are government policy to create an under-employed peon society.

Indiana is now requiring the deadbeats to actually look for work?

How innovative!

budsterr: Isn't this going to force people to only look for high paying jobs or jobs that they are completely unqualified for? Which would make the likelihood of staying on unemployment longer. Not to mention employers are going to get screwed because they are going to be overwhelmed by applications from unqualified people.

I always thought the best way to deal with this unemployment issue would be to require people to do 10-15 hours of community service a week in order to receive benefits. Maybe not the first 4 weeks after losing your job but after a certain time you should be picking up garbage on the highway or doing something productive for society.

They do something like that here for the long-term unemployed, they get paid usually about €1/hour tax free in addition to the benefits, it is quite good in getting those not used to working, working again even if it doesn't really raise their income.

Fark Me To Tears: This is state-sponsored extortion on behalf of employers.

What's to stop an Indiana employer from laying off half its work force and then publicly offering the laid-off employees their jobs back after 4 four weeks, but at 50% of what they were making before? According to the new rules, the laid-off employees who are still drawing unemployment benefits at that point would be required to take the offer.

I just want to know: Whose dick(s) did Indiana businesses have to suck in order to get this passed? Now you have the state dictating to laid-off workers they they must take the first offer they get, even if the offer is a low-ball? What if the offer isn't enough to cover the employee's needs?

Somebody at the state level thinks they're being clever with this. In fact, this risks destroying what's left of the housing market in Indiana. Think about it: How can you apply for a 30 year mortgage (or any long-term financial commitment) in a state that mandates that you can be forced to take a lower-paying (and perhaps loan-disqualifying) job in the event of a lay-off?

The Great Screwing continues... We'll be just like Mexico in the next 10 years if this crap keeps up.

Indiana has pretty weak labor laws and is one of the many reasons I would never move back. I grew up there and the majority of those that I went to high school with that got a good university education went elsewhere, even if just to the next state. Those that aren't mobile because of one reason or another (sick parents, etc.) or don't really have the skills or education suffer.

I can think of some companies in Indiana that lay off people only to rehire with lower benefits that will love this. Probably why the rehiring that was supposed to happen "soon" back in January at the company one of my cousins works for hasn't happen yet.

ar_gyrion: budsterr: Isn't this going to force people to only look for high paying jobs or jobs that they are completely unqualified for? Which would make the likelihood of staying on unemployment longer. Not to mention employers are going to get screwed because they are going to be overwhelmed by applications from unqualified people.

I always thought the best way to deal with this unemployment issue would be to require people to do 10-15 hours of community service a week in order to receive benefits. Maybe not the first 4 weeks after losing your job but after a certain time you should be picking up garbage on the highway or doing something productive for society.

They do something like that here for the long-term unemployed, they get paid usually about €1/hour tax free in addition to the benefits, it is quite good in getting those not used to working, working again even if it doesn't really raise their income.

Fark Me To Tears: This is state-sponsored extortion on behalf of employers.

What's to stop an Indiana employer from laying off half its work force and then publicly offering the laid-off employees their jobs back after 4 four weeks, but at 50% of what they were making before? According to the new rules, the laid-off employees who are still drawing unemployment benefits at that point would be required to take the offer.

I just want to know: Whose dick(s) did Indiana businesses have to suck in order to get this passed? Now you have the state dictating to laid-off workers they they must take the first offer they get, even if the offer is a low-ball? What if the offer isn't enough to cover the employee's needs?

Somebody at the state level thinks they're being clever with this. In fact, this risks destroying what's left of the housing market in Indiana. Think about it: How can you apply for a 30 year mortgage (or any long-term financial commitment) in a state that mandates that you can be forced to take a lower-paying (and perhaps loan-disqualifying) job in the event of a lay-off?

The Great Screwing continues... We'll be just like Mexico in the next 10 years if this crap keeps up.

Indiana has pretty weak labor laws and is one of the many reasons I would never move back. I grew up there and the majority of those that I went to high school with that got a good university education went elsewhere, even if just to the next state. Those that aren't mobile because of one reason or another (sick parents, etc.) or don't really have the skills or education suffer.

I can think of some companies in Indiana that lay off people only to rehire with lower benefits that will love this. Probably why the rehiring that was supposed to happen "soon" back in January at the company one of my cousins works for hasn't happen yet.

So, I don't suppose that Arkansas could be actually trying to save companies from bankruptcy? So companies that provided great benefits and pay start to falter..they lay people off or fire people so they don't go under. When things do start to get better then maybe they can think about hiring two or three people without the bennies and high pay, increasing production without severely decreasing profits..then..say..after years when things are better they can start with the bennies again..or not since we will have a failing national healthcare by then.

I am sure the Ark government never thought about this..just trying to screw all of you "highly qualified" folks.

6502programmer: So you have to apply for one job per week? Sure, no problem...

Week 1: Applied to be General Counsel with the Church of Scientology
Week 2: Applied to be Chief of Surgery at local hospital.
Week 3: Applied to be Governor of Alaska
Week 5: Applied to be head of MI6 research division
Week 6: Applied to be the owner of FARK.com

See? This is easy!

FTW!

will have to use this one next week.

EF5C EF5C: ck1938: 43 Days, 13 hours, and 17 minutes to be precise

No takers yet? Fine, I'll do it:

28 days, 6 hours, 42 minutes and 12 seconds

4 days, 3 hours, 29 min, 45 seconds

TheGreatGazoo: Not only that, but as people are forced to take lower paying jobs, the state will end up making less tax revenue, so they'll have to raise tax rates.

And really, 3 job applications/week? Perhaps you could do one a day? I managed to do that the last time I was on unemployment.

If you're looking for low-level work there are plenty of places to apply. If you're looking for something that requires specialized training then the number of jobs might not be all that many.

Terrydatroll: A person shouldn't get unemployment benefits unless he can prove that he/she is actively seeking employment. People who think that their "highly skilled" status is grounds for sitting back on their laurels and collecting unemployment because they don't want to perform "menial labor" tasks just need a better perspective on life. Do what you can and keep trying for what you want. The experience will be good for you.

Taking that menial job will interfere with finding the skilled job.

Occam's Nailfile: It sucks to be in your position, but it happens. When supply goes up and demand goes down, wages fall. Your options are to either be grateful for the opportunity to work sitting on your arse in air conditioning for a low wage, or go try your hand in another craft. If you are a programmer, chances are you have an IQ above room temperature, so use it, rather than lamenting the end of your glory days.

Except that's not what's happened. Supply is actually down except for the H1-B's being used to drive down wages.

Even then $8/hr is insane. If it weren't for the unemployment insurance I can't imagine someone even offering that.

Priapic:
I think it would take either an incredibly dumb or incredibly mean state unemployment worker to bust your job search balls over this. Socially these rules are government policy to create an under-employed peon society.

Or there is some incentive in place to bust people.

Loren:
Or there is some incentive in place to bust people.

Maybe they win an office pizza party.

pugsleythegreat: Who would want to live on unemployment?

Sitting at home all day sucks.

I mean, you can only fap, eat, and stare at Xbox so long before you want to kill yourself.

You left out being on Fark every waking hour.

amanogowa: budsterr: Isn't this going to force people to only look for high paying jobs or jobs that they are completely unqualified for? Which would make the likelihood of staying on unemployment longer. Not to mention employers are going to get screwed because they are going to be overwhelmed by applications from unqualified people.

I always thought the best way to deal with this unemployment issue would be to require people to do 10-15 hours of community service a week in order to receive benefits. Maybe not the first 4 weeks after losing your job but after a certain time you should be picking up garbage on the highway or doing something productive for society.

There is a simple solution to that -- have the unemployment people review the applications and jobs they applied for, and only count the reasonable applications. Oh, you applied to be the CEO of Microsoft? Yeah, that's not reasonable burger-boy, try again.

Good idea in theory, but since there's probably one UE person for every, oh, I dunno...5000+ people collecting, it won't work.

altinos: Kareeshus: They can offer minimum wage for even highly skilled jobs, and they'll get takers.

Say you make $50,000/year as a programmer. Then you get laid off. Someone offers you minimum wage as a programmer. Do you take it?

No. You try to hold out for a better paying job, or move to an area where there are comparable wages.

You are forgetting several things, as all the "move" people tend to forget:
- Spouse (and their job)
- Kids (and their school, friends etc.)
- a house you have a snowball's chance in hell of selling, even at break even or a loss

All of us aren't single, 22 and living with a couple of roommates, with all of what we own able to fit in the bed of our pickup truck. What if your spouse not only makes more than you do, but their company provides your family with the medical and other benefits you need? You manage to sell your house and move, and now there's two of you looking for work in another city with kids, no medical insurance, nothing.

It just isn't that simple later in life.

ck1938: They call it insurance to make it more palatable for people with a sense of pride but it really is a welfare program. I'm not condemning it, I'm just saying that it's not what it pretends to be.

It's certainly not an Insurance but if I and my employer PAY for it it isn't welfare either. Welfare IMHO is free $ from the gov't. Unemployment is money I PAID IN to cover the proverbial rainy day. If all politicians and gov't were totally and completely honest there should NEVER be a shortage of $ for a persons unemployment until the money I and my employer paid in is gone then I should be cut off but it should only be me and not everyone. The trouble with Indiana is that we haven't had a decent government since Evan Bayh left the governors office. The 'leadership' we have had since has spent and spent just like the example set for them by washington these last 8+ years, when they over spent they took some out of MY unemployment account (and probably every other account the state has). Now the state accounts are short money and none of the dipshiates in office know what to do.

I live in Indiana and good quarter of the workforce is illegal.
Go figure they want a plan to underpay the legal workers to fit in with the under the table wages they give the mexicans.

Be carefull when dealing with government. It rarely turns out for your benefit.

John Buck 41: amanogowa: budsterr: Isn't this going to force people to only look for high paying jobs or jobs that they are completely unqualified for? Which would make the likelihood of staying on unemployment longer. Not to mention employers are going to get screwed because they are going to be overwhelmed by applications from unqualified people.

I always thought the best way to deal with this unemployment issue would be to require people to do 10-15 hours of community service a week in order to receive benefits. Maybe not the first 4 weeks after losing your job but after a certain time you should be picking up garbage on the highway or doing something productive for society.

There is a simple solution to that -- have the unemployment people review the applications and jobs they applied for, and only count the reasonable applications. Oh, you applied to be the CEO of Microsoft? Yeah, that's not reasonable burger-boy, try again.

Good idea in theory, but since there's probably one UE person for every, oh, I dunno...5000+ people collecting, it won't work.

If only there was some place where we could find a large number of unemployed people we could hire to do something like that....

rewind2846: You are forgetting several things, as all the "move" people tend to forget:
- Spouse (and their job)
- Kids (and their school, friends etc.)
- a house you have a snowball's chance in hell of selling, even at break even or a loss

I am married, have kids, and a house that I have no chance of selling if I were to lose my job. I'm prepared to move if I cannot find another job in my area that pays over half of what I'm making now.

Mitch Daniels is a cock sucker.

/lives in Indiana
//did not vote for him
///wishes he would DIAF

amanogowa: John Buck 41: amanogowa: budsterr: Isn't this going to force people to only look for high paying jobs or jobs that they are completely unqualified for? Which would make the likelihood of staying on unemployment longer. Not to mention employers are going to get screwed because they are going to be overwhelmed by applications from unqualified people.

I always thought the best way to deal with this unemployment issue would be to require people to do 10-15 hours of community service a week in order to receive benefits. Maybe not the first 4 weeks after losing your job but after a certain time you should be picking up garbage on the highway or doing something productive for society.

There is a simple solution to that -- have the unemployment people review the applications and jobs they applied for, and only count the reasonable applications. Oh, you applied to be the CEO of Microsoft? Yeah, that's not reasonable burger-boy, try again.

Good idea in theory, but since there's probably one UE person for every, oh, I dunno...5000+ people collecting, it won't work.

If only there was some place where we could find a large number of unemployed people we could hire to do something like that....

I see where you're going with this...and I like the way you think.

phoxxy: Mitch Daniels is a cock sucker.

/lives in Indiana
//did not vote for him
///wishes he would DIAF

This

/also from Indiana

Psst...if you take the lower paying job, you can still look for something else!

I know, I know, it sounds amazing, but it's true!

Hmm, yet another case of the government handing corps a club to beat employees over the head with.

Those quarterlies looking a little low? Let loose 4 or 5 employees for a few weeks, hire a cheap-ass intern to muddle through or just dump the work on their coworkers 'temporarally'. Then contact the employee, offer him his job back at a 50% cut, no benefits. If/when he refuses, call the unemployment office and let them know he's turning down jobs. The state will tell him to take the job or lose his unemployment, and chances are you've got back at least 3 of those employees at a massively cut pay with no benefits to muck things up. Rinse, lather, repeat through everyone else in the corporation that is on the low end and won't be likely to get a job elsewhere. Be sure to tip off your competitors on how lousy of a worker the guy is too, just for that extra gutpunch (a phony Yahoo email addy run through a proxy works wonders there).

Remember people, corporations are NOT your friends. They don't exist to do anything but make money for shareholders. The managers and CEO's that try to be 'employee friendly' at the cost of shareholder wealth will be fired, or the company will be torn apart by a competitor who does screw their employees because the evil corp can outperform the good one. The employee is the weak player here, and there's not a damn thing we can do about it anymore because the government is in the corp's pocket and doesn't give a flying fark if they take us to the washers.

America is a corporate ogliarchy, not a representative republic. The day you forget that, go ahead and look up the payment to your 'elected' officials from lobbists.

hardercase: Psst...if you take the lower paying job, you can still look for something else!

I know, I know, it sounds amazing, but it's true!

Psst, if I'm working my ass off at a shiatty 9-5 McCrappy job, then when am I going to do all this searching? On my non-existant days off, in the shiatty job the state shoved down my throat?