Man Receiving Unemployment Benefits Refuses Over A Dozen Job Offers

Business Insider via finance.yahoo.com ^ | Aug 9, 2010 | Vincent Fernando

[posterchild]

The U.S. unemployment situation becomes ever more complex the more you dig into it.

It's far from simply a problem of there not being enough jobs for people to do.

In fact, since the middle of 2009 the number of job openings has risen at twice the rate of actual hires, according to the Wall Street Journal. Despite the massive pool of unemployed Americans, there's a growing number of unfilled positions.

Shouldn't the glut of jobless Americans be immediately filling any available job as it appears?

Well, it's not happening that way. Many companies are actually having a hard time filling open positions, and there are many factors at play behind this.

One reason is that higher-skill positions can't find enough higher-skilled Americans. After all, while there's a glut of unemployed lower-educated Americans, higher-educated Americans remain decently employed. Another issue is that Americans stuck with underwater mortgages, ie. who owe more than their home is worth, aren't able to move for potential jobs. That's a fair excuse.

Yet beyond the two factors above, many Americans continue to enjoy the luxury of choice, despite being long-term unemployed:

[GeronL]

I hear this is very common in the UK because unemployment and welfare pays more.

[DeoVindiceSicSemperTyrannis]

That is just sooo wrong! Man, I hate libs....

[Grunthor]

It is a plain and simple fact that if some people can survive on unemployment bennies (welfare) without having to work and pay taxes, they will.

Shoot, I get a monthly check from the government(VA disability) with the caveat that if I ever work again, I will be cut off. So IF I was looking for work, the job would have to pay more than I currently get NOT working.

Call it what you will, I call it “being choosy.”

[dalebert]

ing

[thulldud]

One reason is that higher-skill positions can't find enough higher-skilled Americans.

That's what they always say, just before they put in that H1B application.

[sickoflibs]

RE :”One reason is that higher-skill positions can't find enough higher-skilled Americans. After all, while there's a glut of unemployed lower-educated Americans, higher-educated Americans remain decently employed. Another issue is that Americans stuck with underwater mortgages, ie. who owe more than their home is worth, aren't able to move for potential jobs. That's a fair excuse....Some workers agree that unemployment benefits make them less likely to take whatever job comes along, particularly when those jobs don't pay much. Michael Hatchell, a 52-year-old mechanic in Lumberton, N.C., says he turned down more than a dozen offers during the 59 weeks he was unemployed, because they didn't pay more than the $450 a week he was collecting in benefits. One auto-parts store, he says, offered him $7.75 an hour, which amounts to only $310 a week for 40 hours”’

Interesting!

[ClearCase_guy]

Exactly. I’ve seen many stories of men in their 50s and 60s who have had distinguished careers and now cannot get a single job offer. It’s over for them. Too old, too expensive. Meanwhile, industry needs highly capable individuals — I know! — we’ll import them!

[rhombus]

And did I read from your profile you just moved into your first new house too? Congrats!

[Little Ray]

And I bet a lot of ‘em work “off the books” or “under the table” in addition to collecting unemployment.

[AngelesCrestHighway]

“That is just sooo wrong! Man, I hate libs....”

Libtards must go!....We cannot suffer their ridiculous ideology anymore....It’s bankrupting the nation!!!

[Rational Thought]

I’ve been wondering how the White House Spin Machine was going to instruct their soldiers in the media how to deal with this Nation’s high unemployment rate.

To those who are unemployed....look out. You are now being thrown under the buss.

[randog]

I have a friend in the same situation as you. He's looking for work and is finding it, but says, "why should I deny my family by taking a lower paying job just to say I'm working?"

BTW, what does unemployment pay? Is it still a percentage of your pay when you were laid off?

[Grunthor]

2700 sq. ft on 2.3 acres. I thank the good Lord and the American taxpayer for every inch of it, too.

[Born to Conserve]

If you’re having a tough time getting a job, you’re asking for too much money.

If you’re having a tough time filling a position, you’re not offering enough money.

Can we move on now?

[chrisser]

I recently applied for a fed IT job in the middle of nowhere.

Got a 96 out of 99 on my qualifications evaluation.

Didn’t even get an interview.

In fact, I’ve applied to about 12 positions over the last year, both public and private. (I’m employed, thankfully, and only apply to interesting positions for which I am very well qualified and are within similar salary ranges as I currently make).

Not heard back from any of them.

Somebody is applying for these jobs and getting them before I even get considered.

[Uncle Ike]

To those who are unemployed [and can’t live on the minimum-wage]....look out. You are now being thrown under the buss. [especially by a certain smug and smarmy claque here on FR]

[IamConservative]

And I bet a lot of ‘em work “off the books” or “under the table” in addition to collecting unemployment.

Would be very easy for the mechanic in this story to do so as with other hard skills. Little harder for a knowledge worker.

[Grunthor]

“BTW, what does unemployment pay?”

I have no idea. I think it depends on what state you apply in.

[Puppage]

Unemployment.....The new career choice.