Dealing with unemployment

1. 77

   brimancandyposted 14 years ago

   I live in Michigan, and, I have been unemployed for over a year now. Dealing with the unemployment agency is not a good thing.
   I will probably write a hub about it.
   
   One thing everyone should know, is that you getting unemployment is not as easy as just having a job. I worked full time for over 15 years, and my unemployment was denied by the state, over a few minutes of late breaks.
   
   If you are currently working, keep track of anything that you might consider a danger to losing your job. Being late for work, sick calls, tardiness, anything. You might think that these things are unimportant, but a smart employer will use them against you, and claim misconduct against you even though you may have done nothing wrong. If you have a union, if you have not dealt with them, do it. Any documentation you have in your favor will help you greatly.
   
   Also, be prepared to wait long periods of time before you hear anything from them. They will lie right to your face, and tell you they did steps in your favor, only to find out that they haven't done a thing.
   
   keep track of your dates, and save any papers they send you.
   It seems no agencies that are designed to help workers really do anything for them. I have been to them all.
   
   The ones you think are out to help you, will snub you as you are just a number to them. So be prepared for it.

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2. 60

   pct52posted 14 years ago

   I think un-employed first step is to cut expenses. Go through the list of monthly payments, and see if you can eliminate some, replace others with substitues that are cheaper.
   
   Join paid survey, they pay by check or Amazon gift cards, one good one: http://bit.ly/aeVPIs

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3. 60

   Chaotic Chicaposted 14 years ago

   I got laid off on Christmas Eve 2008 and finally got unemployment in March 2009. No matter my credentials or refferences, I could not find work for a year.  Seeing my frustration and impending depression, my husband decided to reopen the business he had up north and have me as retail manager. He trusted me and my experience and knew it was killing me to rely on the unemployment that was about to run out for good ( I had two extentions).  So he made me a job.  I still don't get pain, hopefully that will come by spring when more customers need our products.  The point is that unemployment is hurting financially and they are going to do everything they can to deny or delay your claim. Do your due diligence, keep records, and keep trying.

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4. 66

   Flightkeeperposted 14 years ago

   It's terrible that they are making unemployment hard to get.  You already paid into that.  If the Obama gov't wants all of us to go to the gov't for help, they should't make people wait to get the help when they need it.

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5. 83

   Rafiniposted 14 years ago

   It may be worth it to hire an attorney, depending on the situation of course.
   
   I quit my job last year due to discriminatory and retaliatory conduct by my employer and was denied unemployment benefits.  I hired an attorney and filed an appeal (haven't had the hearing yet) and will be filing charges against my employer.

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6. 77

   brimancandyposted 14 years ago

   I did talk to an attourny on my case, and he seemed to think I was wasting my time. I think the reason he doesn't want to take my case, is because I am up against a major corporation, and, he probably figures I have no chance of winning.
   
   I did receive my first 36 weeks of unemployment, but that ended back in August. They dragged their heels on my appeal, and never sent it to the people who would review it. I finally received the transcripts from my original case about a week ago.
   That hearing was also in August.
   
   They certainly had no problem stopping my benefits cold. I think they should have at least let me keep receiving my checks until my appeal was decided. If you ask me, it's all just a big joke. nobody should have to fight for their benefits ever.

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   1. 61

      lowerabworkoutposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I really feel for you and what you have been through.  I only hope that things pick up for you.
      
      I hope you can put this horrid episode behind you and start to look to the future with some positivity.
      
      Best wishes.

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      1. 77

         brimancandyposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         Thankyou. Being here, and interacting with people makes my day.

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7. 60

   Glenn S.posted 14 years ago

   Jobs are hard to come by that is for sure. I have 20 + years of engineering experience and it's pretty much useless in today’s market. I retired about 6 years ago and went back to college to get my teaching certification. I was a teacher for two years and got sick and had to quit. Now I am looking for work again and I have not found any thing that I qualify for. I am currently working on getting my Microsoft IT certification hoping that that will open some doors. I also hope to get a teaching job again this next fall.  The market will turn around soon and more work will become available. Hang in there, I wish you good luck in finding work.

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   1. 39

      bwh1posted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I think with your skills you could find project related jobs over the internet.
      
      Try to find something over Google.
      
      KNOWELDGE is never useless, it just depends on your skills to make them valuable enought for that others pay you for them.
      
      G.

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8. 39

   bwh1posted 14 years ago

   Man, it sucks to hear that.
   
   Some 10 years ago I had a good paying job and somehow read about the problems the gov pensions face etc.
   
   Somehow it ticked and I realized that I could NOT rely on the state or anybody else.
   
   It's sad but the truth. You work your butt off but can't rely on what you paid taxes for during all those years.
   
   I changed to take over control off my retirement and employment and if you have a slight chance and the skills to have your own business, then go for it.
   
   If you have a well running business you can deal with all this and let some to your family if you pass away.
   
   Heads up.
   
   G.

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