Angi...

Sunidaze

How did your job interview the other day go?

angi1015

The interview itself went well. But OJS...backstory...I am sure you know this, since I am register with OJS, they notify me of jobs that meet my critia. They told me the wrong pay scale. Well, I should say, she told me what she wanted them to pay me. When I was at my interview they told me less.  Long story short, since I am a displaced worker, the Source/OJS will pay half my salary for 6 months, after that the employer has to pay the full amount. Given they are non profit, they cant pay me what they dont have.

Sunidaze

Ouch...that sucks!  Such a huge pain while I was totally unemployed...the jobs that were available to me were much less than what I had been making.

Well...i guess if nothing else, at least you're staying brushed up on your interview skills!

angi1015

True. When the lady told me the pay I was like "um, that is not what I was told." She asked if that was a problem and I just told her the truth. I said, "I make more on unemployment that what you are willing/can pay me. Why would I leave my son and work for less money?" She thanked me for being honest and said to enjoy my son and my 99 weeks of unemployment. And she aplogized for the mix up. I told her no worries and the interview will help keep me sharp.

Sunidaze

I struggled with that one early in my unemployment.  A job that would have been perfect for getting that initial HR experience so many jobs require...but it was less than unemployment.  I struggled with that knowing that I needed the experience, but in the end...I just couldn't do it.

allobosc

....butting in....

This is why I have a problem with unemployment being extended again. I totally agree that I would stay home too instead if I made more with unemployment, but how are people supposed to fill the jobs that are out there when there is no incentive?  Employers can't compete with the unemployment benefits.  It is a no-win situation IMO. Maybe I am painting the picture with a broad brush though.

Sunidaze

It was extremelty frustrating for me...I didn't want to be on unemployment, but I also did not want to take a job making half of what I was making just to take a job.  I received full unemployment benefits for probably less than two months.  As soon as I started back to bartending, I claimed those earnings so the benefits were reduced and not long after that I went back to contingent employment up in Monroe, which while not what I was making before, was more than unemployment so the benefits stopped.

But you are right...so many employers pay so little (and so many more aren't hiring at all) and with being on unemployment, if a job is offered that is less than a certain percentage of what you were making before, you are definitely under no obligation to pay it.  And too, people are supposed to show proof of looking for employment - like two potential employers a week.  While I made searching for a job a nearly full time job in itself, no one checked.  I know too many people just take advantage of unemployment because it is so easy too.