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Scratching My Head…
Posted under How I See It, Work by Mike
No, I don’t have a bad case of dandruff, or head lice. I’m scratching my head because I am truly confused. I warn you ahead of time, this is my little soap box I’m standing on today. Just need to bitch to the world wide Internet about things.
For those who may not know, I’ve currently been unemployed since last May. For those counting, that’s about 9 months on the payroll of California’s unemployed. Not a happy place for anyone. However, a couple of nights back, my wife and I went to see our tax preparer. Fortunately for us, the news was good. We don’t owe Uncle Sam this year.
However, she told us of a client she has who has been unemployed for as long as I have. This gentleman was offered a “temporary” job for about six weeks. The guy thinking this was a way to get off of unemployment for a time, took the job. While he had been on unemployment his previous salary allowed him to collect the highest amount which is $900 every two weeks. However, after taking the minimum wage job for six weeks, and then refiling for unemployment when it ended, he was told that the State of California looks at your last six weeks of salary and the last 3 months average of pay. He made minimum for those six weeks and because of unemployment the previous 3 months which is consider not a wage, he was offered unemployment of less than $200 every two weeks.
SOAP BOX: Where is the incentive to take a job, any job, when the state cuts your unemployment. It has me personally scared to take just any job at the moment. If the State of California can cut a small wage to even smaller, what is a family to do?
THE CAVEAT: Don’t get me wrong, I don’t wish to stay on the state’s payroll. I’ve always held a job since when disco was still popular (yeah, I’m that old) and not working is driving me (and the wife) a bit crazy. However, I’m not crazy enough to jump at the first job and risk what little I have right now. However, I also know the this won’t last forever and I will soon run out of benefits and need to take that McDonald’s job….
Would you like fries with that?
That’s the government for you! Everything is ass backward. Instead of encouraging people to work, they discourage you. Why am I not surprised?
Cocotte´s last blog ..This Is Why It’s My Favorite Holiday
That really does suck. I don’t know what I’ll do once my benefits run out. In Florida, if I am offered another job, even one that pays minimum wage, and turn it down (because that job would cost me more in the end than any income it would produce) it could mean losing what benefits I have left.
Tara R.´s last blog ..February morning
The genius that is the federal government! My BIL is in the same boat (only he’s been there longer). The only issue I had with him is that he has turned jobs down in his field because they paid less than Unemployment.
Russ´s last blog ..In the Gutter, by Russ
Well McDonald’s does offer the best fast food fries on the planet!
Sorry you’re still having a rough go of it.
You are completely correct. New Jersey is very similar. I know of some who
get even more than $900 and never had a job that wold equate totaht level. Learn to play the system, like everyone else my friend. Have they tried to get you to train for a different occupation? That happens here.
Oscar (G)´s last blog ..Sam Ash Wednesday
I don’t know why I’m so surprised. Which makes me even madder!
Anne´s last blog ..There’s No Place Like Home
Mike, I feel ya, remember my parents restaurant I started working there when we were 11, just joined the ranks of the unemployed 3 weeks ago this is the first time I’ve not worked in 38 years, it feels strange.
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