Here’s the problem: At least in my state, say your engineer was laid off: His “benefits” (which at least initially did come from his employer’s “cost of labor”) would be 2/3 of his recent income. But in many cases, such as mine when I was laid off, I had already accepted a pay cut & hung on with “the company” to try to help it survive. Plus I knew decent jobs were getting very scarce. In my case, my actual paycheck went down by 40% before my layoff. After being laid off, add it all up (more like “subtract it all off”) and my “benefit” check was under 40% of my take home pay of a little over a year prior.
So... Let’s say I find non-professional, most likely temporary employment, for about the same pay as the unemployment benefits. Most likely there is no health insurance to go with such a job - a big concern for a 50+ year-old with a family to support. But, that employment is the best thing available. When that employment ends, guess what: New benefits will be calculated from the recent employment (2/3 again) - and now one is REALLY in trouble. Worse, now anyone looking for a “professional” will take one look at the most recent employment, and do what you did - chuck the resume or job app in the trash.
Your engineer was probably not “lazy.” He was likely desperate and making the best financial decision available.
Paul,
Where I am the Marcellus Shale is booming. technicians, engineers, office workers etc are all in demand. W PA and I hear ND and SD are also booming.
I do understand your point. There are also exceptions to the rule. If he was older like you (I am 62) I would have thought differently. Many older engineers are replaced because of their pay scale and can be replace with a younger engineer at 1/2 the rate. I find that sad.