Posted on 10/22/2009 8:26:47 AM PDT by killermosquito
I’m unemployed and since June I have been filing weekly for my benefits. In mid July I began teaching 2 courses at a technical college. My pay was $2000 and the 2 classes which met from 6pm to 10pm and the quarter finished on Sept. 30th.
When making my unemployment claim I’m asked on the web form how many days I work each week and I reported 2 even though I’m only teaching 4 hours each day for a total of 8 hours per week (the class meets 2 times each week for 12 weeks for a total of 22 class sessions-week off for a holiday). This cut my unemployment benefit in half. I asked the unemployment office if I could only claim 1 eight-hour day and I was told, “No, it wouldn’t matter if you were there for only 5 minutes it would still count as a day.”
I just started teaching a new course in the quarter that started Oct. 7th. I’m only teaching 1 course but it meets 2 days each week so I will still have to report 2 full days when I claim my benefit even though I now teach just 4 hours and 40 minutes each week (it is a slighly longer course).
Before I started teaching my benefit amount was 405 + 25 = $425 each week. After I started teaching my benefit was reduced to 202.50 + 25 = 227.50 each week.
If I only collected unemployment for the 12 weeks (that is, if I didn’t teach) of the course I would have collected $5100 from unemployment.
Since I taught the 2 courses and had to report 2 full days of employment even though it was only 8 hours I made a total of $4730 ($2000 from the college plus $2730 from unemployment).
This quarter, as I said I am only teaching 1 course and my total income for the 12 weeks of the course will be $3980 ($1250 from the college plus $2730 from unemployment).
So, you can imagine my second guessing: Should I not work and make more money or should I take the hit and make less mone but at least have an additional line on my resume and thus avoid a lengthy period of an unemployment gap on my resume.
What do you think?
Because millions on welfare depend on you.
Pride.
Socialism/communism totally destroy the incentive to create and work. That is why Europe is such a nothing of a world leader. How about Venezuela and Cuba? Real leaders and producers of new technology and business, right???
Restore America. Restore the presidency and Congressional leadership.
Do the right thing.
Work.
You’ve got plenty of extra time to work something - anything - else.
For the government to withhold our money from us because we have found a small part-time job is more evidence that our government is just a scam run by organized crime.
Minimum wage for those extra 36 hours a week for 12 weeks will net you an extra $402 over unemployment pay - and keep your work ethic intact.
Believe me, I know. Was layed off in 2008 and unemployment wasn't fun. Got a job for 1/3 less the old job through contacts I had through the old job. It's only temporary and they could close the contract at any time, but it gives an in at the old company.
Government unemployment helped a lot, but you've got to help yourself and make getting what you need your priority. You can wait an eternity for the government to help you and find yourself falling backwards.
Aim at your goal and get Gazelle Intense about it and don't get distracted.
More power to you. SR
I lost my 6 figure job in July of 2007. I was on unemployment for about 6 weeks, it wasn’t enough and I hated being on it. So I took a simple job at the county and started a business.
I am hiring my 5th person next week. My business has no debt. It’s still a little wobbly and I still work at the county, but this year I’ll make more than I ever made working for someone else.
Your incentive to work comes from inside you.
I collected unemployment once, many years ago. At that time I was faced with the same dilemma. However, any $$ taken out of my “account” for working remained there, such that it lengthened the number of weeks I was able to collect. Ultimately, I received the money that was taken out in the form of lengthened benefits.
If that isnt the policy where you live, I’d still be hesitant to give up the part-time job. You just never know where it might lead, whereas staying home doing nothing is guaranteed to take you nowhere.
Work. You’ll feel better about yourself and keep your mind engaged. Nothing is more depressing than sitting around doing nothing. Potential employers will have a better impression of you too.
Too bad you can’t “volunteer” to teach classes without pay, which means you are not working, which means you can collect the full unemployment. Plus, Disneyland will give you a free day at the park if you volunteer for one day. Win-Win!
Seriously, too bad you can’t volunteer to teach and honestly say you are not working.
Thanks for the discussion. Being the kind of person I am I have to work and I’m not overly concerned that I’m paid less for it (my inlaws won’t let us starve or live in the van under the bridge by the river-Thank God!). As someone suggested it could create other opportunities and I did apply for a full time job at the school but was over qualified.
I have three ideas for commercial software that I am working on (well, I’m working on 2 of the 3 since I don’t own SQL Server which I need for the third thing that I’m developing). I think all three have enormous potential and there is a significant market for each of my ideas. My goal is to first get a job and then really throw myself into finishing development on the projects.
I mainly posted to read what freepers think. Thanks for your thoughts.
Good luck.. stick with it.. you owe it to yourself...
You don't need to own the full blown SQL server to do development. Go to http://www.microsoft.com/express/sql/default.aspx and download a free copy of SQL Server 2008 Express.
Your point is significant.
Why does the govt give incentive NOT to work?
Stop welfare and unemployment benefits and watch Americans find jobs.
Wow, I didn’t know it was available.
A couple questions: Are all of the “express” versions free?
In the table at the bottom of the SQL page are those “express” free versions or are those ones that I would have to buy?
I’m downloading the Video Studio 2010 Express beta as I type. Thanks.
Yes. All of the Express stuff is free. I started downloading the full VisualStudio 2010 Beta 2 yesterday afternoon. It didn’t finish downloading and installing until after lunch today. It’s HUGE.
Are you looking for a job?
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