Disclaimer: This isn't meant to be political commentary. It's just how I'm feeling about being unemployed.
During my job search, which is about to enter its third month, there have been a few instances where I've seen a job posting, been interested, noticed that it would pay less than my weekly unemployment check, and not applied. And while financially, this makes sense, it's sort of messed up, right?
It's not that I'm not motivated to find a job or don't want to contribute to society; I've been working really hard at my job search and trying my best to treat it like my full-time job. It's just that there's not much incentive to spend 40 hours a week working for less than what the government will pay me for not working. No wonder some people abuse the welfare system and other government programs.
And the same goes for temping (not that I'm even sure if there's a lot of opportunity out there). The pay wouldn't be much better, and I could be out of a job all over a again whenever a project ends. Not much incentive there either.
Now, this would all be different if the low-paying job were something I was really excited about or in a field in which I wanted to gain experience. Or even if it were for a company I was really excited about. But for a job that would be "just a job," something I'd be planning to get out of as soon as the economy picks up*, then I guess it's just not worth it. Not that I have any better ideas about how unemployment insurance should work or how the government should treat people who aren't working.
So anyway, that's how I feel. Now bring on the hate comments from people who are upset about their tax dollars being spent on lazy ingrates like me! Just please remember that they're my tax dollars too (unemployment is something I, or at least my employer, paid into, much like Social Security would work if the money wasn't going to run out before most of us retire).
*I read in this week's Newsweek that 54% of employed Americans say they will look for a new job when the recession ends and 71% of 18- to 29-year-olds (my age group) plan to change careers when the recovery starts. HOLY CRAP.
BONUS POLLS:
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
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4 comments:
Your second poll needs a fourth option:
"I want to apply for a new job now because I don't have benefits, but once the economy picks up I'm sure to get benefits at this job, in which case I'll probably stay because I enjoy what I do"
I think you are doing the right thing. But, a time will come when your unemployment is running out that you will see things differently. And that's okay.
But I'd like to mention that your situation is very different than families on welfare. For most families, getting a job that pays more than welfare is easy. McDonalds part time pays more than most welfare benefits. The difference is all the other things they will miss out on: daycare, housing, health insurance. But once you add the real costs of losing those in, then they are in the same position.
I'm employed another two weeks, then will be out of a job, but I've been looking for another job for a while (see Art's comment above). I apply for jobs that pay at least what I make right now (plus benefits, since I really need insurance). If a job pays a little less, then I'll still apply for it, and hope that it's negotiable or it's a dream job. If it pays less and it seems like a not-so-great job, I don't bother.
However, unemployment would only give me half of what I'm making now, and it's really not enough to live on since rent in LA is so high; the monthly amount would just barely cover my rent and not even touch bills and food money.
So I'm with you, for now; as long as I'm financially secure, I'll apply for the jobs that look good, hopefully both personally and financially. But once things start to get tight, I'll apply for anything.
That's tough I can't really fathom taking a job that paid less, it wouldn't make sense, on the other hand I know myself and would probably end up getting some job that paid less just to work which would probably end up being a poor decision.
I think what you are doing is fine, the support system is there so you don't have to take just any job right away, and you've paid for your right to use it.
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