Unemployment question-long

[suesinfl]

I work for the local government and the powers that be are thinking about privatizing my department. This has been tried in the past with other departments with little to no success. But the powers that be think that this time it is a good idea as far as cost saving measures are concerned.

This company that they are in discussions with has had some success in other states, and very limited success in my state. In short the tax payers will be hurt the most by loss of service, opportunities and no say on how their taxes will be spent.
But my question is, the entity will lay off all staff members and then we have the opportunity to apply for the limited positions that will be available. Most of these positions will be PT with little benefits.

If I decide to apply for a position and choose not to accept the position because of reasons listed above, can I receive unemployment compensation? I know that every state is different, but I could not find much on my state’s website and I don’t have the time to waste to be on hold to try to talk to someone. HR is no help and to be honest, I don’t trust them.

I have 18 years in my pension, so that will stop, but I will be paid 100% for my 350 hrs. of vacation time and 10% of my sick time 200 hrs. But I think that UI will not start until way after the payouts. I am trying to transfer to another department and am looking/applying with other companies.

Sorry this is so long, but you were warned.

I may not be able to respond to any questions until tomorrow night, sorry.

[alabamagal]

In general to get UI you have to be looking for a job. You do not have to accept part time jobs or jobs much lower than your previous pay.

Most places you will not get paid UI until your vacation and sick time are paid out.

[Deleted]

You are being terminated. Make sure you do not sign any papers that suggest or outright say otherwise (yes, I've worked for employers that tried to say you were not being terminated, even though you had to re-apply for your job and go through a new hiring screen/background check).

Before you hop to another job, you may want to see what they offer for termination benefits since you are a long term employee. 

1. Are they going to ante-up a couple years credit into your pension if you are close to full retirement benefits? In some cases I have seen them bump people close to retirement up so they can start collecting full pension, that gives them a positive exit & reduction in force.

2. Are they offering a substantial severance (I think the days of 1-6 months plus 2-4 weeks per year of service are over) since you have been there many years?  How long will they cover your COBRA for medical also?

They are terminating your employment. You are obligated to look for other work, and accept it if offered if it is similar pay and hours. Each state varies in how this is defined & it seems to move up & down as budgets are squeezed. Here it used to be you didn't have to accept 10% less pay or it would still be considered constructive termination. I think that That number changed to 25% less during the recession. UE doesn't publish or define it because it moves around. It is also time based, the longer you are unemployed, the more flexible they expect you to be in pay. I was off work for 3 months or less & they said I had to take an offer that was 18% less (or accept termination of my UE benefits). They are happy to answer these questions when you have an actual offer in hand!

Fundamentally you need to make it clear to your company/HR that like pay, position, hours is required; otherwise you consider yourself terminated. Don't use the words "I won't accept an offer" just make sure they understand you are not going to consider any job that doesn't keep you whole. You are totally entitled to look outside your company & they can't force you to apply to the new company positions.

Good Luck with this Suesinfl!!

[alabamagal]

When I was laid off in 2007 they did not count my severance as income so I actually made more money when unemployed. I only collected UI for 4 months.

When my brother was laid off in FL last year he did not get UI while he collected severance pay for 6 months. He got a better job after 6 months.

When I was laid off with 300 other people in a small city, the DOL was very helpful. They set up info sessions for the group that were specific to our situation and helped work through all forms. Everything went smoothly.

[Wisconsin Beth]

I'm sorry sues.  That sucks. 

[OldCoyote]

After 16 years with her Co. my wife was laid off almost a year ago.  I think she received 4 months of UI,  hundreds of job app, a couple of interviews, No job.

I think she has given up on the job search,   Being around me more, having to put up with me,    You would have thought she would put more effort in to the job search.

[suesinfl]

Just want to say thank you to all who have offered support. We'll see what happens, but who knows. Nothing is written in stone as of yet.

[busymom]

So sorry to hear about this. What a mess!

Are there any other government jobs you might apply for in your area? It's a shame to have so many years into a pension plan, & then lose a job...

[973beachbum]

I know this will sound stupid but is there any way you can take your sick time and vacation time?  You are only at 18 years in your pension.  I am thinking 20 might be the magic number? Is there a way to take those things and maybe stretch to that 20 years?

Even if it wouldn't get me to some magic number with my pension I would want to take my 200 hours rather than get paid for 20.  Heck that is five weeks!  Being part of a layoff round is stressful!!  Five weeks paid time off would make me feel better.

No helpful advice but good luck and my best thoughts and wishes to you!

[Deleted]

Yep, I would be calling in sick on a regular basis if you know you are out the door. 

[haapai]

I share your crummy opinion of privatizing elements of governmental services.  Oftentimes the cost savings aren't there and the quality of service plummets.  I know someone who works for the private company that cleans the high schools.  One of the last custodians still employed by the school, who knew the relevant numbers and the math involved, converted what the school was paying the subcontractor into an hourly wage without benefits paid directly to him.  It was painful bit of math and it really makes me wonder if a whole lot of employers aren't trying to cut costs by outsourcing.  Maybe it's really about blurring the lines of responsibility and making sure that the persons performing routine and menial jobs are also "appropriately" poorly paid. 

Are you unionized?  Do you know any other state or municipal workers who are?  That might be place to turn to for specialized and specific unemployment insurance questions.  Coworkers who are also on the chopping block might also be able to point you in the right direction, or not. 

I share your distrust of HR.   

[Ombud]

suesinfl, is the retirement office holding info sessions?? In our county we weren't eligible if we pensioned out but if we pensioned out / went to work for another firm & were laid off, we were despite collecting our pension.

[Deleted]

Jul 2, 2015 11:12:05 GMT -5 @workingshasta said:

Yep, I would be calling in sick on a regular basis if you know you are out the door. 

Not a good plan if you actually want to work anywhere else in the future.

In these situations (if it comes to pass), the majority (if not all of the team) are being let go. These people are her co-workers/managers & references for future jobs. You better believe that people pay attention to the behavior of exiting team members.

The people that handle the situation with grace, continuing to do their job, keeping a good attitude & confident that their skills and abilities will result in a great new opportunity fare much better and normally DO get reemployment.

There were a few people that really flushed their careers down the toilet at one place I was at that was closing the facility. We had almost a years notice. People who's attitude turned to shit, that screwed their coworkers by calling off work constantly, and bad mouthed every thing going on are still struggling in their employment. I am sure that other managers, like me, refused to be references for them, so they are having a hard time without references willing to sing their praises.

Being outsourced sucks, but when you are all in the same boat, staying a team has a lot of benefits.

[Ombud]

Besides that 'severance check' (PTO payoff) rocks!

[suesinfl]

Sorry that I have not responded, I promise to do so later today. No updates, just to answer questions. Thank you all for your support.