For those wanting to extend unemployment benefits

[charrison]

http://www.detnews.com/article/20100510/BIZ/5100335/1001/biz

In a state with the nation's highest jobless rate, landscaping companies are finding some job applicants are rejecting work offers so they can continue collecting unemployment benefits.

Members of the Michigan Nursery and Landscape Association "have told me that they have a lot of people applying but that when they actually talk to them, it turns out that they're on unemployment and not looking for work," said Amy Frankmann, the group's executive director. "It is starting to make things difficult."


Chris Pompeo, vice president of operations for Landscape America in Warren, said he has had about a dozen offers declined. One applicant, who had eight weeks to go until his state unemployment benefits ran out, asked for a deferred start date.

"It's like, you've got to be kidding me," Pompeo said. "It's frustrating. It's honestly something I've never seen before. They say, 'Oh, OK,' like I surprised them by offering them a job."

From The Detroit News: http://www.detnews.com/article/20100510/BIZ/5100335/1001/biz#ixzz0na4MsPvt

...

person becomes ineligible for benefits if he or she fails to accept suitable work, said Stephen Geskey, director of Michigan's Unemployment Insurance Agency.

The average landscape worker earns about $12 per hour, according to the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Growth. A full-time landscaping employee would make $225 more a week working than from an unemployment check of $255.

But after federal and state taxes are deducted, a full-time landscaper would earn $350 a week, or $95 more than a jobless check. The gap could narrow further for those who worked at other higher-paying seasonal jobs, such as construction or roofing, which would result in a larger benefits check.

There are no doubt people that need help, but there is some portion that just abuse the system.

 

[theeedude]

Extended unemployment with federal funds beyond standard unemployment insurance coverage is WELFARE. I am not against welfare, there needs to be a social safety net, but it has nothing to do with unemployment and should have no relation to your former salary, and be based only on need. If you have assets, you should have to live off of them until you run out instead of being on unemployment.

 

[her209]

The smart ones apply for jobs they know they have no chance of getting.

 

[WhipperSnapper]

There are no doubt people that need help, but there is some portion that just abuse the system.

I suspect that many of the people are seeking at least lower middle class jobs with benefits and not shitty landscaping jobs. If there were some non-poverty wage jobs out there, people would probably take them. Or, if they would increase the wages for the landscaping jobs, they could get filled. I mean, that job is almost the lowest of the low in terms of the compensation and the difficulty and unpleasantness of the work.

If people were turning down $25,000/year office jobs with benefits then your point would be stronger.

 

[WHAMPOM]

http://www.detnews.com/article/20100510/BIZ/5100335/1001/biz




There are no doubt people that need help, but there is some portion that just abuse the system.

WOW!!! When you moving to Michigan and start your landscaping job? Don't the big bucks tempt you?

 

[charrison]

I suspect that many of the people are seeking at least lower middle class jobs with benefits and not shitty landscaping jobs. If there were some non-poverty wage jobs out there, people would probably take them. Or, if they would increase the wages for the landscaping jobs, they could get filled. I mean, that job is almost the lowest of the low in terms of the compensation and the difficulty and unpleasantness of the work.

If people were turning down $25,000/year office jobs with benefits then your point would be stronger.

$12/hour is about 25k a year.

Ask yourself, is it better to underemployed and working, or doing nothing and living off the work of others?

 

[BoberFett]

I suspect that many of the people are seeking at least lower middle class jobs with benefits and not shitty landscaping jobs. If there were some non-poverty wage jobs out there, people would probably take them. Or, if they would increase the wages for the landscaping jobs, they could get filled. I mean, that job is almost the lowest of the low in terms of the compensation and the difficulty and unpleasantness of the work.

If people were turning down $25,000/year office jobs with benefits then your point would be stronger.

The average landscape worker earns about $12 per hour, according to the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Growth. A full-time landscaping employee would make $225 more a week working than from an unemployment check of $255.

$25,000 = ~$12/hr.

So are the landscaping jobs shitty or is the office job a shitty job?

 

[charrison]

$25,000 = ~$12/hr.

So are the landscaping jobs shitty or is the office job a shitty job?

I have sat behind a desk long enough that doing real work outside sounds pretty attractive if the pay is the same.

 

[WhipperSnapper]

$12/hour is about 25k a year.

Ask yourself, is it better to underemployed and working, or doing nothing and living off the work of others?

Assuming that you can do the landscaping job year round and that it actually pays $12/hour in an economically depressed state. I figure it's more like $9-10/hour. Another issue is that many people may not be in proper physical condition to do it. A 22 year old could take that job and it's easier to look at him negatively. It's really a job for people under 35 who can take it.

I think that if the "others' you are living off of advocated and supported economic policies that destroyed the nation's job market and that resulted in the upper classes receiving more wealth than they deserve that it's OK to live off of their taxes. If they don't like it then they can petition the government to end foreign outsourcing, end the H-1B and L-1 visa programs, end mass immigration, and end outrageous pay packages for company executives.

 

[jackschmittusa]

And there are others who actually needed the benefits. My wife is over 60 and applied for hundreds of jobs over a span of a year and a half, finally getting hired for a job at 2/3 of her previous salary. Its barely more than her unemployment was, but she really wanted to work. She had years of experience, excellent range of office management skills, and superb recommendations from her previous employer (who went bankrupt - tanking auto market killed it) and almost began to take it personally that no one would hire her.

Our financial situation is hardly any better, but she is happier working.

 

[soccerballtux]

Assuming that you can do the landscaping job year round and that it actually pays $12/hour in an economically depressed state. I figure it's more like $9-10/hour. Another issue is that many people may not be in proper physical condition to do it. A 22 year old could take that job and it's easier to look at him negatively. It's really a job for people under 35 who can take it.

I think that if the "others' you are living off of advocated and supported economic policies that destroyed the nation's job market and that resulted in the upper classes receiving more wealth than they deserve that it's OK to live off of their taxes. If they don't like it then they can petition the government to end foreign outsourcing, end the H-1B and L-1 visa programs, end mass immigration, and end outrageous pay packages for company executives.

"upper classes receiving more wealth than they deserve" LOL what???? You don't deserve anything, nor do they, which is why they receiving more and you receiving less is perfectly fair.

 

[jackace]

"upper classes receiving more wealth than they deserve" LOL what???? You don't deserve anything, nor do they, which is why they receiving more and you receiving less is perfectly fair.

We, the people, put the system in place to benefit the entire population. If that stops happening then the system is broke. Allowing the top % of the population to control the wealth and in turn control the decision makers would turn this country into EXACTLY what those who founded this country were trying to get away from.

 

[Moonbeam]

Even monkeys won't play when the game is unfair.

 

[First]

Every system is abused, the only real question is, is it reasonable and do you have a better alternative. Usually that's when people get quiet.

 

[Slew Foot]

Every system is abused, the only real question is, is it reasonable and do you have a better alternative. Usually that's when people get quiet.

Ive got one. Its called dont-spend-all-your-money-on-stupid-bullshit-until-youve-got-6-12-months-of-living-expenses-saved-up.

 

[First]

Ive got one. Its called dont-spend-all-your-money-on-stupid-bullshit-until-youve-got-6-12-months-of-living-expenses-saved-up.

This would be funny if it weren't so sad and ironic.

 

[ShawnD1]

$25,000 = ~$12/hr.

So are the landscaping jobs shitty or is the office job a shitty job?

If the unemployment rate is 20%, you can pay as horrible as you want :awe:

I have sat behind a desk long enough that doing real work outside sounds pretty attractive if the pay is the same.

No it fucking isn't. Landscaping and construction are the worst jobs ever. I was drinking gallons of water just to not die, and I live in Canada. I bet people in Arizona actually do die when doing this shit.

 

[jackace]

Every system is abused, the only real question is, is it reasonable and do you have a better alternative. Usually that's when people get quiet.

Honestly looking back at History there are really only 2 ways to change a corrupt system that no longer meets the needs of the majority. One is leaving and starting your own system and the other is taking over the current system, often times in history it was done by force.

 

[Moonbeam]

Honestly looking back at History there are really only 2 ways to change a corrupt system that no longer meets the needs of the majority. One is leaving and starting your own system and the other is taking over the current system, often times in history it was done by force.

I have strangely always found that the needs of the majority are exactly and precisely my needs. It's really funny how that works.

 

[TwinsenTacquito]

I wish my needs were met by stealing from others. Alas, I must work.

 

[1prophet]

I suspect that many of the people are seeking at least lower middle class jobs with benefits and not shitty landscaping jobs. If there were some non-poverty wage jobs out there, people would probably take them. Or, if they would increase the wages for the landscaping jobs, they could get filled. I mean, that job is almost the lowest of the low in terms of the compensation and the difficulty and unpleasantness of the work.

If people were turning down $25,000/year office jobs with benefits then your point would be stronger.

If the unemployment rate is 20%, you can pay as horrible as you want :awe:





No it fucking isn't. Landscaping and construction are the worst jobs ever. I was drinking gallons of water just to not die, and I live in Canada. I bet people in Arizona actually do die when doing this shit.

One calls it shitty the other calls it the worst jobs ever yet these are jobs that pay above average and certainly much higher than any minimum wage.

With that type of attitude is it any wonder that many contractors end up having to hire the day labor at the local home depot.


Many people got upset when Mexican President Vicente Fox declared that Mexicans do jobs that "even blacks won't do."

We rather sit on our asses on unemployment because we are much too good for these jobs yet we cry the blues when that damned illegal does it at a price we are willing to pay.

We are told when an American does a job nobody wants it's usually because of much higher pay or benefits, but at the same time we have been brainwashed to believe the American is overpaid since it's a shitty job that anyone can do.

In comes the Mexican to do it at a price we are willing to pay and in return we label them a job thief.

 

[Mani]

I know one guy (who happens to be a rampant conservative) that abuses the hell out of unemployment and has been using it the last year or so to fund a business he's starting up. I personally hope they cut it off completely.

 

[Red Dawn]

Landscaping and construction are the worst jobs ever. I was drinking gallons of water just to not die, and I live in Canada. I bet people in Arizona actually do die when doing this shit.

Depending on the region. If it was CA and the pay was the same for an office job I'd prefer to do construction or landscaping if I was physically up to it. It would seem more rewarding and healthier than sitting on your ass all day pushing paper which an Office Job @ $12 an hour would likely entail.

On the other hand you make a good point regarding Arizona during the summer or the Northeast during the winter.

 

[ShawnD1]

One calls it shitty the other calls it the worst jobs ever yet these are jobs that pay above average and certainly much higher than any minimum wage.

Landscaping - $13 with no experience

McDonalds - $11.30 with no experience

Hmm an extra $1.70 per hour and it means standing in the sun for 9 hours per day as well as hard labor. I think I'd rather work at McDonalds where there is air conditioning, no possibility of severe sun burn, it's the easiest job in the world, and you can have sex with your coworkers. You can theoretically sleep with your landscaping coworkers but they're all men so that would involve a lifestyle change.


This has nothing to do with the thread but this job sounds pretty cool:
Transformer Winder
requires "some high school", will train
$16/h with no experience, bonus, dental benefits, vision care benefits, "other" benefits

Here's another funny combo. Taco Time pays $11 but being a live-in caregiver pays about 30 cents less. Tacos = more important than caring :awe:


Not all construction jobs are horrible pay. There are some pretty good ones there that pay as much as $20/h with no experience. The only downside is that construction season only lasts maybe 5 months before you go back on welfare whereas McDonalds is open all year. Construction in the summer, McDonalds in the off season.

 

[classy]

$12/hour is about 25k a year.

Ask yourself, is it better to underemployed and working, or doing nothing and living off the work of others?

Nothing in the article tells what kind of people they are offering these jobs to? I would imagine some of these folks have skills beyond manual labor. There is nothing wrong with manual labor, but you don't know if they are living off the work of others or not.