I lost my job. So now what?

I've been working at my job for 8 years and I have been laid off. Actually I have been offered the option of working 2 days a week or leaving totally and ill get paid the sick/ vacation time for the year.

I have no idea what to do or where to start. I am in complete shock and did not sleep at all last night. My stomach is in knots and I just don't know what to do.

Does anyone have any advice regarding unemployment? I feel like I should keep the 2 days a week as some friends have said it looks better to be employed when looking for work, but then others have said if I do that and then lose the 2 days my unemployment could be totally screwed b/c they would take my basis from my most recent paychecks.

Ugh! I can't believe this happened! I am completely devastated.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Re: I lost my job. So now what?

sorry

the most unemployment will pay is 405 a week before taxes - 354 after taxes.

when you certify your benefits, they'll ask you if you worked during the week. when you tell them you worked 2 days, they will give you a check for 200 instead of the 405...would that be worth it to you?

also, i don't know if you will be able to claim unemployment if you're technically employed somewhere part time and not fully laid off.

does your comp. have a hr office you can talk to?

hope it works out for you!

Re: I lost my job. So now what?

I think I would keep the 2 days.

As another poster mentioned, it's an employer's market. MANY are going to judge if they see a gap in employment.

Plus, it could show you are motivated to do anything which looks good to employers.

I know a few people in my personal life who would rather sit home on FB all day, collecting UE because they "had to take a paycut" for a little bit. They don't see the potentinal networking opps, and benefits package, plus they are getting out of the house.

Is there anyone in your industry you can network through?

Note: Unless it's going to be a financial hardship (i.e. have to pay all of check to daycare), I still think some employment is better than no employment and I hope this doesn't start drama.

Re: I lost my job. So now what?

DH took a menial p/t job to supplement his f/t salary and was laid off from his f/t job. This has severely effed up his unemployment. He loses a 1/4 of his 405 for everyday he works but his p/t job pays less than what he loses, but he cant quit this stupid p/t job because then he would lose unemployment COMPLETELY. So he has put in that he can only work 1 day a week.

If you decide to stop working completely, bee SURE your job will pay your unemployment. If you file for unemployment and they tell unemployment that you refused the 2 days you will lose unemployment completely.

If you would qualify for the maximum unemployment ($405), would working those two days be less than that? If it IS then it would probably pay to work those two days and then you would still be able to collect $202.50/week from unemployment. (You lose 1/4 of your employment for every day that you work).

This whole process sucks

Re: I lost my job. So now what?

I was laid off about two months ago. You do not have to file unemployment since you could work two days per week. Is the two days permanent or temporary? If it's temporary, you could wait until that is over, then file unemployment. They base your benefit on your average pay over the past 18 months ( I believe it's 18 maybe 15?) As long as you were making more than the $405 per week, it doesn't matter if you were FT or PT. This would extend your unemployment. If your situation would be permanent, then you would have to work the numbers to see if it's worth it for you to file for unemployment. I'd still take the PT job because as the others said, it looks good to be employed when you are looking for another job and it is income until you find something else. Sorry for your situation

Re: I lost my job. So now what?

I am so sorry to hear that.

I've been on UE while I worked part time. My suggestion would be to take the two days and still file.

It's decided on a case by case basis, but you could still be eligible for 2 days of unemployment.

For each day you work, they dock you 1/4 of the amount you are eligible for because they go by a four day work week.

For example, if you are eligible for the full amount ($405), they dock you $101.25 for each day you work.

All benefits stop,though, after you make over $405, no matter how many days you work.

So if you make more than $405 for the two days you won't get anything.

Hope that makes sense.

Re: I lost my job. So now what?

Just wanted to offer some hugs. I've been there 4 times, so I know it's tough and an emotional time.

Good luck!

Re: I lost my job. So now what?

Thank you all for all your input and
Right back at you...this really sucks and it's such a scary situation to be in right now.

It's a small company so no HR. Just my boss who did this without warning after 8 years of being a reliable, trustworthy and loyal employee. Shows how much you really can't trust people.

So, am I understanding correctly...if I make less then 405 in the 2 days- which I would be- I could file for unemployment and they would give me the $200 each week or just what would make up the difference so between my company's paycheck and UI I would still only get $405? I tried to read it on the unemployment insurance website but just was not getting it.

I think I am leaning towards the working 2 days but I just really am afraid to screw myself over. And if I take the termination, I would get paid for 4 full weeks of sick and vacation pay whereas if I work part time, the amount I will receive will be 1/2 that. But...I don't want to be trying to find a job and have an employer pass me over b/ c of a gap in employment.



I was laid off from my previous job and it was such a horrible feeling. I just didn't expect to have to be worrying about this again right now. For some reason I can not remember, I never filed for unemployment last time. I think i must have been stupid...but that's why I have no idea how this works now.

Thank you all again so much!!!

Re: I lost my job. So now what?

Re: I lost my job. So now what?

Re: I lost my job. So now what?

you will probably make more money going on unemployment then working 2 days a week. it is also easiery to find a job if you are available whenever they say to come in for an interview.

Re: I lost my job. So now what?

i lost my job this week as well..sorry..it sucks.

i live in PA so the UE is probably not the same, but it does have benefits for a loss of hours due to the company cutting them. so NY may have a similar option.

UE filing was pretty painless for me here in PA. They refer to wages earned in the last year, every quarter and base the benefit on that. Not sure if thats how NY works.

good luck!

Re: I lost my job. So now what?

Re: I lost my job. So now what?

I lost my job in the fall, I'm sorry you have to go through this.

I will say that you don't know how you are going to get through until you are on the other side of it. It's terrible, but you will get through it

Re: I lost my job. So now what?

Posted by CrankyPants

I lost my job in the fall, I'm sorry you have to go through this.

I will say that you don't know how you are going to get through until you are on the other side of it. It's terrible, but you will get through it

Re: I lost my job. So now what?

Take the 2 days.

In fact, I think working 2 days a week could be a blessing in disguise 'cus now you have 3 full days off to really focus on finding your next perfect job and not have any gap in your resume.

Good luck with filing for UE.

Re: I lost my job. So now what?

Take the 2 days and run with it. Here is my take. Yes, you might make less money in the short period and it might mess with your unemployment. BUT - if you work 2 days that leaves 3 days to hit the pavement and work your butt off to find a new job. If someone wants you to interview they have 3 days a week to get you in there - that extra 2 days you are working won't make that big of a difference. If you are working 2 days a week for the same place it looks more like they had to make cut backs BUT they liked you enough to keep you on part time. You will be employed which will make it easier to 1) explain why you need a new job and 2) I think it just looks better when looking to have something currently rather than nothing at all if you have that option.