What would you do if you were laid off tomorrow?

[zz4guy]

Would you immediately start looking for work? Take it easy for a few weeks? Change your career? Go back to school?

I would sleep in for a week and watch TV, making sure I get NOTHING accomplished. Then I'd pack my car and tour the US and Canada for a month. When I got back I'd get some blue collar job to pay the bills and then eventually start looking for another job in my profession.


What would you do?

[Bocheezu]

I would immediately start looking for a new job. I can't sleep/function without knowing that I have a source of income.

[wordsmith]

Immediately look for some type of way to get income flowing back in. I don't have enough saved to be comfortable not doing so.

[vinsanity]

Depends. Do I get a severance package?

[zz4guy]

Depends. Do I get a severance package?
Sure. Vacation days * 1/2

[E11e]

I'd take a trip home to see my family for a week or so. Then if I could convince my husband to take time off, I'd go on a road trip with him for another week or 2. I'd come back and start figuring out what I want to do. I'm thinking about going back to school for a masters, but that wouldn't happen til next fall anyway. So I'd look to get a job in my current profession until then. Though, I'd probably look at jobs in the profession I'm interested in too and see if any would be possible.

[vinsanity]

Sure. Vacation days * 1/2

Damn. That's nothing. I'd have to look for a new job if only because I don't like seeing my savings evaporate.

Might be a good time to think about actually advancing my career, though.

[spiritedaway]

I've been unemployed before (for a good few months ...that was not fun :googly:), but I've never been laid off before. What percentage of my salary would be part of my unemployment benefits?

Realistically, I'm laid off tomorrow, I may just start looking immediately. I have no idea how quickly I can find a job given the current state of economy. While I'm waiting to hear back, I'll probably go take some low budget trip/vacation somewhere a week or two to explore and get my mind of things... (assuming my unemployment benefits would help to cover some bills, etc)

[and1grad]

I would immediately start looking for a new job. I can't sleep/function without knowing that I have a source of income.
Ditto. Even if it meant making smoothies at the gym.

[yankeeyosh]

Look for another job, but probably not in boston. I've been wondering about this quite a bit recently...

[wordsmith]

I left a hostile job situation in April, when the economy wasn't as completely tanked as it is now, but still not pretty. Even though I was under a lot of emotional duress daily at my job, I still couldn't bring myself to leave before I had another job offer in hand. If the prospect of being without work then was scary, now it's downright terrifying.

[steph78]

I only work 1/4 time right now (in addition to being a full time stay-at-home mom) and because I have an arrangement where I work entirely from home it would be REALLY hard to find another job that would let me have a similar arrangment. I only got this arrangement because I worked full-time for 5 years before I had my daughter and my company knows I'm reliable and can accomplish work on my own. That would stink to lose my job! My company is really busy right now but our industry tends to start feeling the pinch about a year or two behind the rest of the world, so I'm actually more worried about 2009/2010 than I am the immediate future.

I am lucky in that I am not the primary breadwinner in my house, though - my husband has a job that pays a LOT more than what I make working 1/4 time. So if I lost my job it would stink but wouldn't kill us financially. If my husband lost his job it would be a much bigger problem and I can guarantee you he'd be e-mailing resumes out the same day, he's the type that doesn't put things off. OH - it just dawned on me that if he lost his job I could go back to full-time at mine until he found another position! That's kind of a relief.

[BLK95TA]

I've been laid off since the end of june and i havent done much looking. a bit here and there but mainly just living on unemployment. luckily i have a lot of savings and $0 debt as well as a low overhead (i'm living with my dad and my only bills are my $56/mo cell phone and $447 every 6 months for car insurance on my 2 vehicles which is due in about a month) so i've been basically spending maybe 1/3 of my weekly unemployment checks if that so i still have a good amount of it left, plus the money i had in savings before getting laid off..

the way this economy is going i might be better off hibernating this winter and then deciding what to do in the spring

[winneythepooh7]

I have a good job myself with perks that will definitely make it more "family friendly" than most once my son is here later this year, so that would probably take a bit of work for me to "find" again. I'd probably enjoy myself a bit though and just the time with my new son............

[hillbillysurf]

I would probably procrastinate updating my resume and look the next few days for job postings, not really finding any good fits. Then I would probably organize a yard sale to get rid of things too big to move, and relocate. Either back home to the family/girlfriend, or out west to start over.

It'd be tough though, I really wonder how long it would be before i was broke.

[BLK95TA]

I would probably procrastinate updating my resume and look the next few days for job postings, not really finding any good fits. Then I would probably organize a yard sale to get rid of things too big to move, and relocate. Either back home to the family/girlfriend, or out west to start over.

It'd be tough though, I really wonder how long it would be before i was broke.

depends on your expenses..

just based on my cell phone and insurance (not gas or anything else) i could go for around 5 years. but i would guess realistically a year and a half or so maybe two

[bluespoon]

I'd probably laze around for a week, maybe use it as a vacation....then start looking.

but that would be if I had a job to get laid off from. I don't even have a full time job now, but rather a couple of part time non-commital jobs. I like what I'm doing (teaching ESL) but don't have enough hours and not making enough money to live on my own and not sure what to do next. But that's another story

[PenforPrez]

Day One: Sleep.

Day Two: Panic.

:googly:

Paul

[sondra_finchley]

I WAS laid off last Thursday- no notice, day of had to leave, and three weeks severance. Frankly I was actually very cheerful when it happened as I had been rather bored the last three months ( real estate/leisure sector). Having seen the risk in this coming I had put a good chunk of cash aside and didnt take any vacation. Thursday when it happened I was fine, but Monday and Tuesday of this week I started to go into full panic mode and had a total emotional breakdown. Chatted to a friend who helped me get my mentality back on track and worked out a plan with my bf ( we live together and he was seasonally laid off the week before me) for the next three months until he starts school so now I feel much more in control than before.

The thing about a layoff is that your control is taken away from you- you can look for another job if you hate the one you have and leave on your terms. I do tend to be a bit of a workaholic, and to go from having a place in the world and somewhere to be during the day to home was rather rattling.

At any rate, having a good friends network is extremely helpful. Ive been shy to mention it to anyone, but those who found out were very responsive- one person suggesting sites or jobs that may work for me at their job, another who may be getting me a quick business plan writing contract ( used to do that before) which would payout pretty well and fill this weird block of time between now and a trip I had planned to London ( paid for) several weeks ago and the holiday period when we have out of town guests coming, both of which are happening in November.

I have found though that its rather nice not being in an office or corporate environment where you have to worry about your place and the ability (or lack thereof) of your boss. Im not real sure Im ready to return to the crappy corporate grind unless its a position that really fits me this time and allows for some upward growth. Im also rather tired of seeing the ineptness all around me and wonder if damnit, I wouldnt be better running my own firm, MY way rather than screwing around with other people's stupidity for the rest of my life. So thats another avenue to explore- the timeline has just been pushed up a bit.

There are jobs that I can apply for that would be of the right pay level and ability for me, and I could always go back to Chicago for work during the week and bunk with a friend. Part of my reasoning for a move to Madison was the chance to return to school if the world went to hell in a handbasket so there is always that as well for next fall.

[marya0483]

i was given a month's salary , so for one month i didnt even look at the jobs website and the classifieds . i was angry with the company for using me during peak season and laying me off when they found out that I would be going off soon.

I was so stressed from that work so I sleep, eat . watch and surf. It was nice at first.

then panic settles in, i got so desperate to have a job i thought i was loosing myself... i got a telemarketing job (wc pays penny but am thankful for as it was a thankful distraction from my sorry unemployed state)....

thankully i have a full time job now wc pays better than previous one, but is rather unchallenging (still too early, but right now is) , but I am blessed to have as it prevents me from totally being depressed about myself.

[Optimusdinkus]

I would feel comfortable for a year or two, no debt, savings that are doing well (other than my stocks) no kids, no wife, no mortgage, tons of valid experience from my job currently (conducted international business in mexico as well as design a top selling book in the practice of dentistry all over the world) I would probably teach in china for a year then head back to the chaos of making another one with the dentist I work for currently. Life eeezzzz guuuddd..... The problem is I am getting an offer that is very generous due to the good work I did, soooo DECISIONS OH MY!!!

[plumgrl74]

I didn't get laid off, but I quit on my own last week due to a need for a career change (wasn't an overnight decision). I have enough savings to be comfortable for a couple years if need be, but I don't plan to be unemployed for longer than a year hopefully. Just needed some time to figure myself out and what I want to do with my life.

So in the meantime, I plan to do some traveling and then signing up for classes early next year. I figure taking some classes in various subjects that interest me will help me decide what career I should pursue next.

I'm wondering if anyone else here also is/was a software developer that wants to pursue a different career? I wonder what the change will be like to go from a technical field to a non-technical field? Has anyone here done that?

[Jabberwocky]

I'd follow through on my dream of backpacking around the world for a year. I've had tastes of it backpacking for a month at a time, but I'd like to just follow through on this dream while I'm still young.

I'm going to quit my job eventually anyways. I have enough money saved up now to do it but I'd like a bit of a buffer so that I'm not penniless and desperate for a job when I get back. So if fired today I'd probably sell my car or something instead of putting it in storage to raise the extra cash.

[artemis83]

I would feel humiliated and broke, would probably leave home for a few days and stay with a supportive friend who would make me feel better, and break the news to my family over the phone

I had such a hard time finding a job, so I would have to go back to finding relief jobs while job searching, or perhaps volunteering or taking recreational classes to find out what my true passion is and what I really want. I would be too broke to travel though I feel it would help me.

[NewMrs.]

I would eat my cat.

[CoolAZN]

I would eat my cat.
Poor pussycat :cry:

Since it wouldn't be the end of the world or anything, I would throw a party with some friends (like a potluck type, byob or whatever). Then couple days after, I would look for any job that will bring in some dough (right now is not a bad time, since the holiday is approaching and many places tend to 'still' hire seasonal employees).

Yes, it would suck to lose one's job, but it also is a stepping stone in our progress of life. We look back and see all the good things we have accomplished. We look into the unknown future and see it as a positive outlook (yes, I know the current issue with the economy, but you still need some positive feeling towards that, whatever that is).

[sondra_finchley]

I agree with that last statement AZN- in some ways its almost as though being laid off was a good thing to me- i wasnt going anywhere fast in the job I had and was thinking of different avenues to explore so I could leave anyway. Its almost as though I want to close the first chapter of my working life and try something new or go on a (working) adventure, though Im not sure what either form those two would take!

[(an)dy]

This topic raises a question I've always pondered. People always talk about their savings, but not how much it is. Is it a significant amount (over 20k)? Is it enough to survive off of for a few months if you had to? Etc etc, I've always wondered what people consider to be a solid amount of money put away in savings.

[wordsmith]

Depends on your personal attitude toward such things, any fluctuations in the economy, what the general averages are at a given time in regard to beginning a job search and actually scoring a position. I know that some people would be uncomfortable without six months' worth of expenses socked away in an emergency fund. I've never really been able to swing that, myself - and I'm imagining that in the current market, that might not even tide one over long enough. I'd probably feel BETTER if I had six months' worth of expenses squirrelled away somewhere, but that's just not really realistic, for me, unless that were put away EXTREMELY gradually.

[callyna81]

For me, ACCESS to about a months basic living expenses (be that in savings, or owed holiday pay, or a combination, or even an emergency credit card) is at least a safety guard in that situation.

I'd hit the streets/internet/paper a day or two (commiserations time, regrouping) later and try and get a job, any job, to get some sort of income stream (or start renting out a spare room in my duplex), to get the income coming in. I'd try and get something low-committment and flexible(ie casual, shift with ability to go to job interviews) to try and find something that paid a little more that I was comfortable with.

But it depends on your circumstances. If you're living at home or paying little rent, conceivably you could go a while, if you're paying off a mortgage though, probably not long at all.

[NewMrs.]

This topic raises a question I've always pondered. People always talk about their savings, but not how much it is. Is it a significant amount (over 20k)? Is it enough to survive off of for a few months if you had to? Etc etc, I've always wondered what people consider to be a solid amount of money put away in savings.


Well, Wordsmith mentioned below that some people try to plan to have six months worth of living expenses saved. I believe that several prominent financial advice authors, including Dave Ramsey and Suze Orman, recommend six month of expenses.

[steph78]

Well, Wordsmith mentioned below that some people try to plan to have six months worth of living expenses saved. I believe that several prominent financial advice authors, including Dave Ramsey and Suze Orman, recommend six month of expenses.
I'm taking a Dave Ramsey course right now and he recommends 4-6 months for an emergency fund. 4 months in a 2-income household and 6 months in a single-income household. Right now we have 4 months saved because I work part-time but my company would take me back on a full-time basis immediately if my husband were to be laid off (they are always pressuring me to increase my hours anyway). It turns out 6 months' expenses is a LOT of money when you add it all up! It definitely takes a little time to build that cushion up.

[zz4guy]

I guess I can't see why people don't have an emergency fund setup. It doesn't boil down to that much money.

I've got my emergency fund in an ING Orange account earning 2.75%. Not the best, but it is decent for savings and I can get to it in 2 days.

My monthly expenses are:
$730 mortgage
$200 food, living, etc
$200 utilities, cell phone, etc
$40 in gasoline

Which is only around $1200/month. What can really hurt you is that one time expense like a car dying or something.

Also when you are out of work you will probably spend more money traveling to interviews, buying clothes, making phone calls, etc.

After I got back from vacation I would take an easy part time job just to cover monthly expenses.

[wordsmith]

I guess I can't see why people don't have an emergency fund setup. It doesn't boil down to that much money.


Depends on their other financial obligations, cost of living fluctuations factored in, etc. And, as steph mentioned, six months' expenses is a cushion that takes a decent amount of time to accrue, for most people.

[NewMrs.]

Depends on their other financial obligations, cost of living fluctuations factored in, etc. And, as steph mentioned, six months' expenses is a cushion that takes a decent amount of time to accrue, for most people.


I wanted to clarify what I posted above about having six months' worth of living expenses.

I read an article about this that basically said that this isn't the same thing as having a chunk of change in the bank equal to six months' worth of paychecks. (As PP's mentioned above, for most people this isn't realistic.) Basically, the advice is to come up with a plan in which you would be able to meet your basic cash flow needs for six months. The way I understand it is, some people make lists of the expenses that they would have in a normal six-month period. They designate which expenses are mandatory and which expenses can be cut if necessary (like cable). Also, if you budget out your income every month and there's a line item in the budget for things like savings and retirement, then if you lost your job then you don't necessarily have to meet these line items in your budget. Likewise, if you have loans but you pay extra on the loans each month, then if you lost your job these payments can be cut down to the care minimum.

[winneythepooh7]

Someone recently posted a similar topic on the Long Island forums I frequent----the amount most people need to have in the bank for 6 months in this area to survive if they get laid off is pretty astronomical. Especially if you factor in the price of taxes and a mortgage each month here.........My husband and I do have a more than 6 months saved but that's also pretty much it when it comes to our "life" savings. If it goes, it would be hard to build that back up since a lot of that was a cushion from wedding gifts and some money he was left from his grandmother when she passed.

We are also fortunate that we can afford to bank a lot of my paychecks right now. If he were to lose his job, my salary alone would cover about our mortgage/taxes and nothing else. Scary thought. :eek: .

He does have insurance though thank goodness though in case that were to ever happen.

[winneythepooh7]

I wanted to clarify what I posted above about having six months' worth of living expenses.

I read an article about this that basically said that this isn't the same thing as having a chunk of change in the bank equal to six months' worth of paychecks. (As PP's mentioned above, for most people this isn't realistic.) Basically, the advice is to come up with a plan in which you would be able to meet your basic cash flow needs for six months. The way I understand it is, some people make lists of the expenses that they would have in a normal six-month period. They designate which expenses are mandatory and which expenses can be cut if necessary (like cable). Also, if you budget out your income every month and there's a line item in the budget for things like savings and retirement, then if you lost your job then you don't necessarily have to meet these line items in your budget. Likewise, if you have loans but you pay extra on the loans each month, then if you lost your job these payments can be cut down to the care minimum.

Good points. I also am fortunate as well that I work in a field that I am pretty confident I could find another job in right away (even if it didn't pay as much or the job wasn't as desirable).

[wordsmith]

Exactly. My line of work struggles to retain employees, lots of the time - even in an economy on the downward turn. It's the sort of job that quite a few hires find they are just flat out not emotionally or temperamentally able to do, and the pay is overall fairly modest, so there are typically openings to be found.

[sondra_finchley]

I ended up having more than 6 months living expenses saved/accessible with my final paycheck, severance, and savings. Something in the back of my mind was warning me to conserve cash back in September- and so I am glad I did. I dont have a mortgage, but I do have a car payment which is a bit annoying. My partner's parents called yesterday to tell us they are giving us a bundle of cash because they helped out his sister and felt it was only fair. I would rather he used it for school though, or something tangible, than us using it for rent since his sister used the money to cover shortfall in remodeling her kitchen and bath!

I did just pick up another consulting gig this evening that could be steady working with two friends from my previous company who struck out on their own. Contract living isnt the greatest, but some cash flow is better than none at all, and at least I can work from home doing this while still looking for a steady job.

[Nashville]

Get another job

[Krishna]

I'm rather fortunate in that, as a teacher, my employment is fairly stable during the school year. Now, come April you might find me freaking out a bit over the possibility of non-renewal....but even then, by that time I should have quite a nice safety cushion set up (moreso than I already have).

[AsianGeek]

Well since my position is hard to replace, I doubt that I'll be laid off anytime soon. But if I were I suppose I'd start job hunting.

[Musicvixen24]

Take a nap, this job is so draining....Then I'd wake up and dance

I am serious

[nikorock28]

I just got laid off yesterday. I bought a house last year close to my ex-job (which is well outside the city) and, obviously, it has since depreciated in value. Therefore, I can't really sell and move closer to where the jobs [I]might[I] be available. I say might because the job prospects are fairly bleak in my field at this time. Good thing I didn't listen to the advice of others and buy too much house, a new car, etc. The current plan is to see what kind of unemployment I will get (it's not much in AZ) and otherwise take it easy for at least til the end of the year. So, for now, I am looking at it like an extended vacation and will re-evaluate as necessary.

[ebrillblaiddes]

If I were laid off tomorrow, I'd be mystified, since I don't have a job today :p

[vinsanity]

They aired "Fun With Dick and Jane" last night on TBS, and in addition to that, I've spent the week watching the last season of "Weeds" on DVD, in which both stories featured this exact dilemma. Funny that "Dick and Jane" came out 4 years ago, because it totally relates to what's been going on over the past few months.

So although these comedic plotlines don't show much of the dark side of illicit income, I can't help but think that getting involved in the drug trade, or executing a deviously clever bank heist would be an intriguing or at least mildly amusing way to supplement lost income. Besides, being a getaway driver is much more my style :evil:

[Screen Name]

This is going to sound crazy, but the people I know and have ever known always seem to BENEFIT from getting laid off. I know people that have been able to double dip severance with unemployment and they are making a lot more not working than they did while working, allowing them to shop and travel right now. I also have a friend whos mother got an extension on their unemployment, she has been one 1 interview in the past 2 years and pretty much goes to the casino all the time. I also know a handful of people that lounged on unemployment only to eventually have higher paying jobs fall in their lap. All this time I have worked, I don't have a hole on my resume and when things got bad in my old field I changed careers. So while I am busting my fucking ass and taking pay cuts, I try to find time to squeeze in work on my portfolio but working 50+ hours every week does not leave me a ton of time. If I got a laid off I could make a sick portfolio revision, learn all the software I have not had time to learn, and then I could put myself out there and be more marketable than ever. I get kinda pissed that I have always held a job, and even when it was clear things would not work out I was tactful and talented enough to escape before being fired, but I must say I am seeing little benefit at this point in constantly being employed when I see people getting fired and laid off and actually making more money from their package than when they actually worked. Watching people collect UEI and go to the casino or travel kinda burns my ass too.

A few weeks ago in the local online newspaper there was an article about this guy that got laid off from his high tech engineering job. The whole article focussed on how he gets to "dode" over his 6 month old girl, revisit his hobby of photography, and visit museums with the family. Ummmm, last fucking time I checked this piece of shit should be looking for a job while collecting unemployment instead of enjoying a fantasy early retirmement/extended vacation bullshit. I really get pissed knowing how hard I work and then seeing bullshit like that, I really hope they saw that article and pulled his benefits. The whole entitlement attitude of our generation is what will fuck up this economy even more. I called my health insurance provider the other day and every single jerkoff I spoke with answered my requests with a big overdrawn sigh, as if it's my fault they picked a boring job or they don't have the balls to take a risk. I had to basically tell these idiots how to and what to do, I mean it's their job, it was like pulling teeth getting them to do what they are being paid to do. It's like when you go to the registry or city hall, all the lazy pieces of crap act like it's a huge inconvenience to renew your license, ummmm, hello? This is your fucking job, stop sighing in my face and just renew the damn license, I swear I would not hire 60% of the people I encounter to even be a dunk tank clown at my "I just got laid off party" that I will never have. I had no safety net, I didn't like what I was doing, so I busted my ass and made a drastic change, a lot of people think they should be showered with money just for finishing college and then they get out there and realize most jobs are just glorified data entry, too scared to leave they get lazy until laid off. I still bust my ass, shit it's Saturday and I am working right now, I will work tomorrow too, in fact since I made a hobby into a job I really never stop working unless I am sleeping. Not saying my lifestyle and working hours are suitable for everyone but it seems so many people celebrate thier layoff with a big vacation or trips to the spa while they should really be interviewing or trying to find work, working as hard as I do and witnessing this huge widespread epidemic of people leeching is frustrating. Anyone lounging while unemployed is technically leeching off the system, I understand people need a breather sometimes but there's a clear abuse of the system and I see it all the time and people like me that are 'over-employed' and underpaid are the ones getting fucked in the longrun. Not to generalize but when I was on my last job search, while employed, I searched harder than the people I know who are unemployed. I was working and going on interviews 3-4 days a week on my lunchbreak. My old job was serious hell and I was 24/7 applying and interviewing and it sucked and it was hard and now I look at lazyness being rewarded all around me and I wonder if I am the idiot for busting my ass to take a paycut and do something I find rewarding in every way except financially... I'd love to think in the end I will be better off than most but I have seen people just get these endless extensions to their unemployment, it's like it never runs out and fools like me just keep running on the wheel while the unemployed crowd sits back and eats the cheese. I know not all unemployed are taking advantage, but the people I know in my real life, not QLC.com forums, are abusing the system.

[vinsanity]

I think that's why they pay state unemployment tax

[capella]

I'm a teacher and with all the layoffs going on in FL.... it may happen. I would open my own home day care. And I seriously might anyhow. Why pay someone else to watch my kid when I can have people pay me? One way or another I'd be spending all day with someone else's kids. :p

[meatwad]

I'd ask out a chick from work.

[pepsi91307]

I think that's why they pay state unemployment tax

exactly... that money they're getting back is techincally their own money.. taken out of each paycheck.

if you're handed a breather... enjoy it!

and look for work :)

[Screen Name]

exactly... that money they're getting back is techincally their own money.. taken out of each paycheck.

if you're handed a breather... enjoy it!

and look for work :)

Well I think the problem is that the system in place basically rewards people for not working. I find no fairness in the fact if I am employable and I only get two weeks vacation, yet I am still paying into this pool of UEI but I will probably never get to use it. I think the "enjoy it" and "breather" mentality is the whole entitlement thing I am talking about with people. Nobody is entitled to a break or a breather unless they earn it, surely getting fired or laid off should not mean you earn something, but as you are say you are "handed" it. So maybe if I suck a little more at what I do then I can get "handed" a "breather", but rest-assured if I keep exceeding expectations and working my ass off then I can plan on getting 2 weeks a year that I cannot even schedule because I am too busy working, just the whole damn system is not being monitored right, it's meant to keep people on their feet not enable drinking during the day or lounging. The ratio of paying in versus sucking out if completely skewed, I have never drained but only always payed in, yet I have friends that are laid off 8 months a year and own houses, I sit here renting a place with roommates busting my ass 12 months a year and wonder WTF for?

[pepsi91307]

Well I think the problem is that the system in place basically rewards people for not working. I find no fairness in the fact if I am employable and I only get two weeks vacation, yet I am still paying into this pool of UEI but I will probably never get to use it. I think the "enjoy it" and "breather" mentality is the whole entitlement thing I am talking about with people. Nobody is entitled to a break or a breather unless they earn it, surely getting fired or laid off should not mean you earn something, but as you are say you are "handed" it. So maybe if I suck a little more at what I do then I can get "handed" a "breather", but rest-assured if I keep exceeding expectations and working my ass off then I can plan on getting 2 weeks a year that I cannot even schedule because I am too busy working, just the whole damn system is not being monitored right, it's meant to keep people on their feet not enable drinking during the day or lounging. The ratio of paying in versus sucking out if completely skewed, I have never drained but only always payed in, yet I have friends that are laid off 8 months a year and own houses, I sit here renting a place with roommates busting my ass 12 months a year and wonder WTF for?

No system is perfect, and im not debating how hard people should or shouldnt look for work, but at the end of the day, people have paid a portion of their check to UEI for most their working lives and using it as they see fit when they are finally able to do so is far from "entitlement.

Can the system be improved upon? sure it can. How? I don't know.

I know when I had to close my business, I became obsessed looking for work, and any moment I was not applying to jobs, and doing something remotely enjoyable, I felt guilty that I should be looking for work at that moment, but now I'm goin to enjoy it while waiting for something to work out, and I'm not going to feel guilty about it.

It's just a play on words but at the end of the day, it is a breather, and life has handed it this way. It's not entitlement, it is reality, and I know of many people's situations that can be misinterpreted when looking in from the outside.

[vinsanity]

I'd like to second everything that pepsi said. And while I'd usually be the first person to speak out against entitlement attitudes, the more important thing is that if I'm mandated to pay into the state unemployment insurance fund, I may as well utilize it as I see fit if ever the necessity arises (knock on wood).

[crystal_dance]

This is going to sound crazy, but the people I know and have ever known always seem to BENEFIT from getting laid off. I know people that have been able to double dip severance with unemployment and they are making a lot more not working than they did while working, allowing them to shop and travel right now. I also have a friend whos mother got an extension on their unemployment, she has been one 1 interview in the past 2 years and pretty much goes to the casino all the time. I also know a handful of people that lounged on unemployment only to eventually have higher paying jobs fall in their lap. All this time I have worked, I don't have a hole on my resume and when things got bad in my old field I changed careers. So while I am busting my fucking ass and taking pay cuts, I try to find time to squeeze in work on my portfolio but working 50+ hours every week does not leave me a ton of time. If I got a laid off I could make a sick portfolio revision, learn all the software I have not had time to learn, and then I could put myself out there and be more marketable than ever. I get kinda pissed that I have always held a job, and even when it was clear things would not work out I was tactful and talented enough to escape before being fired, but I must say I am seeing little benefit at this point in constantly being employed when I see people getting fired and laid off and actually making more money from their package than when they actually worked. Watching people collect UEI and go to the casino or travel kinda burns my ass too.

A few weeks ago in the local online newspaper there was an article about this guy that got laid off from his high tech engineering job. The whole article focussed on how he gets to "dode" over his 6 month old girl, revisit his hobby of photography, and visit museums with the family. Ummmm, last fucking time I checked this piece of shit should be looking for a job while collecting unemployment instead of enjoying a fantasy early retirmement/extended vacation bullshit. I really get pissed knowing how hard I work and then seeing bullshit like that, I really hope they saw that article and pulled his benefits. The whole entitlement attitude of our generation is what will fuck up this economy even more. I called my health insurance provider the other day and every single jerkoff I spoke with answered my requests with a big overdrawn sigh, as if it's my fault they picked a boring job or they don't have the balls to take a risk. I had to basically tell these idiots how to and what to do, I mean it's their job, it was like pulling teeth getting them to do what they are being paid to do. It's like when you go to the registry or city hall, all the lazy pieces of crap act like it's a huge inconvenience to renew your license, ummmm, hello? This is your fucking job, stop sighing in my face and just renew the damn license, I swear I would not hire 60% of the people I encounter to even be a dunk tank clown at my "I just got laid off party" that I will never have. I had no safety net, I didn't like what I was doing, so I busted my ass and made a drastic change, a lot of people think they should be showered with money just for finishing college and then they get out there and realize most jobs are just glorified data entry, too scared to leave they get lazy until laid off. I still bust my ass, shit it's Saturday and I am working right now, I will work tomorrow too, in fact since I made a hobby into a job I really never stop working unless I am sleeping. Not saying my lifestyle and working hours are suitable for everyone but it seems so many people celebrate thier layoff with a big vacation or trips to the spa while they should really be interviewing or trying to find work, working as hard as I do and witnessing this huge widespread epidemic of people leeching is frustrating. Anyone lounging while unemployed is technically leeching off the system, I understand people need a breather sometimes but there's a clear abuse of the system and I see it all the time and people like me that are 'over-employed' and underpaid are the ones getting fucked in the longrun. Not to generalize but when I was on my last job search, while employed, I searched harder than the people I know who are unemployed. I was working and going on interviews 3-4 days a week on my lunchbreak. My old job was serious hell and I was 24/7 applying and interviewing and it sucked and it was hard and now I look at lazyness being rewarded all around me and I wonder if I am the idiot for busting my ass to take a paycut and do something I find rewarding in every way except financially... I'd love to think in the end I will be better off than most but I have seen people just get these endless extensions to their unemployment, it's like it never runs out and fools like me just keep running on the wheel while the unemployed crowd sits back and eats the cheese. I know not all unemployed are taking advantage, but the people I know in my real life, not QLC.com forums, are abusing the system.

I don't understand this post. I don't think people are really "enjoying" their unemployment and if they are then I'm jealous of them because I'm miserable and would love to be able to cut my mind loose. I don't think mankind's purpose is to work till they drop dead and if they actually have the finances to travel, then I applaud them! You won't get this kind've vacation time ever again and with the way things are, it might be a nice change to get out of this hell hole even for a short while.

It's unfair to expect everyone to think the way you do. Alot of people have worked their whole lives contributing to UEI. You sound very bitter from your post and I think that you should work on your own problems before lashing out at the world.

[Minipan]

DH and I have talked about this a lot.

Obviously, I would immediately look for work and there are a few things I do right now on top of my full-time job that I could fall back on and probably pick-up more hours.

We do have a large savings that could probably cover expenses for a few years, but I would absolutely hate to dip in to that.

We're somewhat fortunate in that we have low overhead -- no debt, car payments, or mortgage and we could live comfortably off one of our salaries if need be.

My bigger fear is if, for some reason, we both lost work at the same time.

[cupkake]

Well I'd get the job search rolling, I would hate to lose my job but if it meant keeping my sanity then we can all get some good from bad experiences AMEN .:rolleyes:

[sondra_finchley]

I think its all about how you look at it and approach things.....

I was laid off pretty much at the beginning- back in October. Sure I stressed for a few days, especially as I am in an area that has zero jobs for what I do and what my industry is. Then I realized it wasnt worth it to sit and panic and that everything would come in time. So I canned the worry stuff and just went with what I had (having savings and some severance helped) because worrying and stressing myself wasnt going to get me anywhere closer to anything. Yes, I did go on vacation and took time off to entertain family and appreciated that I could do so- because when else am I going to have this chance again? And frankly, the employment markets were such a mess last fall I highly doubt I would have found anything full time right away anyway.

Sure enough- work rolled in my way through my network and now Im contracting more work than I can almost handle and making more money than I did at my last job. I wouldnt say I took it easy, especially since I didnt double dip on my UEI with my severance (thought you couldnt?) and then my state messed up my payments for February because apparently they still think ppl go down the union hall in the morning and sign up for work- there is no provision for freelance work.

Screen Name- Seriously, you need to relax and stop worrying so much about what other people are or arent doing in their own lives. If you feel like youve gotten some sort of bum deal out of life and your working career then perhaps you need to take a step back and reassess your situation and reprioritize with your goals in mind. Get off the damn cross already- there are plenty of people on this forum busting their asses doing just as much work, if not more, than you are.

[Screen Name]

woah, not looking to get into a big flame war here, this is usually where I come to vent so I thought I could just let it fly, guess the sensitivity level is more delicate than I thought...

Anyways, I am just basing my opinion off people I know and that I see, first hand. Maybe these people are trying to put on a front or keep their heads high or something, regardless the vibe I get is that they are traveling and enjoying their unemployment, literally from the outside looking in it appears like vacation as they go out drinking during the week all the time. I am sure that people who are unemployed on these boards are going to get a hair across thier ass and take this way too personal, so let me just say it now: I am not talking about YOU, I am talking about PEOPLE I KNOW, not fictional stuff here and not your biography either. As much as you guys might play by the rules there's a whole crowd of people that don't, and that just happens to be the people I know. Aside from that, the people I know have not been paying into UEI for most of their lives, they for the most part are young people like me and most of their lives they were in shcool, their careers are still young and I have paid in more than most of them if not all, but my point is they are taking out more in relation to what they put in than I would think they'd even be allowed. I am not going to get specific here, clearly due to the fact I am being vague people probably think I am just speaking of the entire population collecting UEI, I am not. I am not bitter towards the world and I do not feel unfulfilled, I simply wanted to get my point across that yeah there's a lot of bullshit out there. I do know plenty of people that abuse the unemployment system and they get away with it and they smile about it and they even brag about it and maybe someday it will all catch up with them, maybe not, so far it seems to be working out well for them overall which is what leaves me confused as I am still "check to check" despite my employment status.



EDIT: Yeah, I just went back and read what I wrote, I definitely "let it fly"... I think the cursing makes it look like I was more pissed off than I actually was, I think the tone I was aiming for was like an angry comedian but when it's typed out/reading back it certainly doesn't come off correctly. I can't make excuses for what I wrote here but I can say that it felt good to get it all out, no matter how ridiculous it all sounded. I'll try to tone down the rants in the future so as not to scare anyone, I just figure if not fly off the handle here then where?

[winneythepooh7]

Anyways, I am just basing my opinion off people I know and that I see, first hand. Maybe these people are trying to put on a front or keep their heads high or something, regardless the vibe I get is that they are traveling and enjoying their unemployment, literally from the outside looking in it appears like vacation as they go out drinking during the week all the time.




Honestly, grown adults who are out "drinking all the time" as you put it 9 times out of 10 have a problem. It may look like they are "partying" but I am sure there is a lot more negativity to it. I think it would be helpful to you if you don't worry so much about others and what they are/aren't doing or "appear" to be doing/not doing in their life, and focus on your own. How do you know they aren't living on credit cards or something? I am sure you don't have all the details. No one has all the details about what goes on in other peoples lives.

[Screen Name]

Honestly, grown adults who are out "drinking all the time" as you put it 9 times out of 10 have a problem. It may look like they are "partying" but I am sure there is a lot more negativity to it. I think it would be helpful to you if you don't worry so much about others and what they are/aren't doing or "appear" to be doing/not doing in their life, and focus on your own. How do you know they aren't living on credit cards or something? I am sure you don't have all the details. No one has all the details about what goes on in other peoples lives.


Yeah, you're right and I realize all of this when I step back... part of the problem is that I rarely have time or understanding to really step back and evaluate these people, they brag about their situation to me and I take it at face value. It's only when I put my head down and I am working on a weekend that I stop and think, "wait a minute..." I know union guys that are laid off 7 months a year and collect UE, when they hear I am working late or on a weekend with no overtime they say "F--- that S---, what are you crazy?". I enjoy what I do, it would be nice to get paid overtime but in my field that doesn't happen, the tradeoff is I truely enjoy the work, for now I'll just assume they don't. I also had someone basically make fun of me because I work so much, again this person was unemployed, but yeah a "friend" basically made a crack at me because I work so much and it rubbed me the wrong way. Sure maybe they are in debt up to their eyeballs, tough to say from here. I am not spending the time evalauting them, I am spending the time to listen and pay attention to them, and maybe that's the problem right there...

[pepsi91307]

Yeah, you're right and I realize all of this when I step back... part of the problem is that I rarely have time or understanding to really step back and evaluate these people, they brag about their situation to me and I take it at face value. It's only when I put my head down and I am working on a weekend that I stop and think, "wait a minute..." I know union guys that are laid off 7 months a year and collect UE, when they hear I am working late or on a weekend with no overtime they say "F--- that S---, what are you crazy?". I enjoy what I do, it would be nice to get paid overtime but in my field that doesn't happen, the tradeoff is I truely enjoy the work, for now I'll just assume they don't. I also had someone basically make fun of me because I work so much, again this person was unemployed, but yeah a "friend" basically made a crack at me because I work so much and it rubbed me the wrong way. Sure maybe they are in debt up to their eyeballs, tough to say from here. I am not spending the time evalauting them, I am spending the time to listen and pay attention to them, and maybe that's the problem right there...


"I I I I I I I I I I I I I.......... I I I I I"

[Screen Name]

"I I I I I I I I I I I I I.......... I I I I I"

ok gang, how about we get back on the topic here? No need at all for the smart ass jabbing, I was trying to close out the portion of discussion aimed at me so we can just get back on topic.


:|

Pepsi, clearly nothing constructive from your post, why bother? I don't see the point of going out of your way to be a jerk, just leave it be or add something to the discussion.

[pepsi91307]

Yeah, you're right and I realize all of this when I step back...


yea... that

[Screen Name]

yea... that

winneythepooh7 helped me out, made a great point, and I give credit where it's due, I have no issues acknowledging when someone is correct. These forums are here so people can help each other out, I suggest you either start helping or start leaving.

[pepsi91307]

winneythepooh7 helped me out, made a great point, and I give credit where it's due, I have no issues acknowledging when someone is correct. These forums are here so people can help each other, I suggest you either start helping or start leaving.

Feel free to suggest anything you like.
It's done. Let it go.

We're fine.

[artemis83]

I'm so afraid of getting laid off since I was spoken to and have gotten shyer and goofier, and I feel bad cause it's a really good job. I'm already job searching just in case and saving my money.

[mahlerssecond]

I am scared of getting laid off, due to the lack of jobs and all of the other people looking in my community for work. I had my hours cut at my place of employment, so I went to my old place of employment to see if they could find me work a day or two a week. I never did hear back from them, so I don't know if they either didn't have any work, or didn't want to hire me back.
If it did happen, I would probably take a week or two to get my bearings. I would try to find something that would bring income in (a stopgap job). After that, I would try to find something comparable to what I got now.
I think in this economy, networking is very important. I wouldn't leave any stone unturned, I got my current job through a mother of a person I went to high school with.

[pisces2473]

I'd freak out if I was laid off. My husband's already been out of work for over a year. We have savings, his unemployment, and a supplemental income (long story), and I'd get unemployment too...but it would be really tight and we might have to move in with one of our parents.

I don't want to sound like I'm bragging, but my boss has told me that my job is very secure. That makes me actually MORE nervous, because the level to perform well is set SO high now. "What if I screw up?" type questions run through my head at times. It can also make me feel like "well, if I do screw up or slack off...what are they gonna do, fire me? They can't cope with me gone for one day when I'm sick, they'd never do that"...but I don't want to get a big head about it either, because YOU NEVER KNOW. (actually I told my boss that when he told me that my job is safe...I said, I'd like to believe you, but even good workers lose their jobs, too.)

[sondra_finchley]

pisces- this is something I worry about constantly as well. I got into a good contracting gig, but Im forever worrying "gee, did I do the work well enough" or "will the fact that I was an hour late on deadline going to cause me to be relieved from these projects?" Also, what I do relies heavily on other people- getting someone to call me back when they are busy themselves, and IM the one on a deadline, well it gets nervewracking to say the least. Then I get so worked up and worried I stop moving forward on projects and seize up completely (until I go workout).

Im pretty sure Im within the bounds here, and by a significant margin, but I really cant take this level of anxiety and fear of the future much longer. Not even sure if Im still eligible for unemployment either if this contract were to go away, and the state already messed it up once this year. The boy works, but doesnt bring in a ton of cash, and I have savings but I could see things getting real tight real quick, especially as this is a really competitive job market for the few jobs available. When you cant compete with a masters degree youve got problems!

[pisces2473]

Sondra--I'm glad I'm not the only one who seizes up when they've got something approaching deadline. I'm like that with my school work--3.5 pages into a paper that should be between 12 and 15 pages, due Weds. I feel completely stuck and like I want to run away, haha.

As for my real work, I wish I had more deadlines...I'd probably get so much more accomplished during the day.