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How ironic it was to see this post about unemployed Freepers. Friday was my last day at work after several years with VoiceStream Wireless in customer service management.

VoiceStream laid off everyone in customer service in the Louisville KY, Memphis TN, and Birmingham AL markets, and moved the responsibilities thereof to existing positions in Dallas TX and Jacksonville FL. And they gave us a grand total of nine days' notice that we were going to be kicked to the curve.

The severance package they are offering leaves a lot to be desired; they told us that our employee plans on our VoiceStream phones would be terminated with us (and that we would have to go through a credit check if we wanted to keep the phone); and they told us not to bother using any remaining VoiceStream employees as references, because company policy would not allow them to give us letters of recommendation.

Right now, I am contemplating whether I should go and sign up for unemployment. I have never been on unemployment for one day in my life, and don't like the entire concept. However, friends are telling me that I should do it because I pay into the system. I have a job possibility in sales with one company who has contacted me, but I have never done sales before. My degree is in communications and my work has always been in customer service and communications. I am looking for work in the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky area. Any advice ???

I believe you will find that every state in the union, not to mention the fed gov, requires the EMPLOYER to pay all of the unemployment tax. I am a bookkeeper by profession and currently do my brothers payroll taxes...and both the fedgov and stategov brochures indicate it is illegal to charge or withhold unemployment taxes from the employee.

And now that you know, don't feel badly....the companies are forced by government to fund the periods of time when employees are unemployed. If I recall correctly, fedgov just upped the # of weeks you're eligible to collect.

Sign up for unemployment until you get a job. You are entitled and it will help you until you find something. Sales is not all bad by the way, my husband and I spent many years in sales before our retirements. It can make you a good living if you are good at the job. Good luck.

Right now, I am contemplating whether I should go and sign up for unemployment. I have never been on unemployment for one day in my life, and don't like the entire concept. However, friends are telling me that I should do it because I pay into the system.

I agree with your friends. It is unemployment insurance, not welfare.

As a conservative, one's philosophy might be against a government-run insurance program such as this - that's one side of the coin.

But to pay into that insurance program, and then refuse to collect on it when eligible is another in my opinion. If I am forced to pay into it, then I feel that it is my right to collect on that insurance when my situation meets the mandated eligibilty requirements (although I never have collected unemployment either).

Many conservatives are philosophically against a government-run retirement program (Social Security), but since you cannot opt out of it, I would bet that more than 99% of those philosophically against it will cash their SS checks when they retire.

1) Move South. Texas is not in the tank.

2) If you can, move to Jackson County(folks are smart enough to elect Ron Paul).

3) Houston is a madhouse BUT there are PLENTY of NICE places in the boonies north and west of there.

4) Stay in high-tech.

5) ALWAYS remember: employers(unless they're your parents) don't care about ANY employee when it comes to the bottom line.

We moved from north of Lake Pontchatrain(24 mile bridge to New Orleans) in '89 to Houston.....that lasted 3 months....then to 110 miles west of there(and fulltime, tech employment for the last 12 years). Current employer has gone through the motions(some impact) by dumping contract employees, relocating "northerners" to Texas, eliminating bonuses, and freezing pay for upper management+above....."holding" at the current time BUT because of writing on the wall AND #5 above, I am looking! Dependents? Yes, 2 at home and one in college.....BUT family, children, love in the home, etc. ARE more important than loot......children would MUCH RATHER have a Dad at home with lower paying job(s) and less "stuff" than a "roadwhore"(never at home Dad) making megabucks....

Also be aware that every day you wait making up your mind whether to file could mean a lost week of "wages." In my state, they make you wait a week before you can begin collecting, no matter when you file. So get to it.

And yes, Bush recently extended the unemployment period to 39 weeks.

Right now, I am contemplating whether I should go and sign up for unemployment. I have never been on unemployment for one day in my life, and don't like the entire concept.

Why not sign up. You paid for it. Part of your compensation package was the taxes your employer paid for unemployment compensation. It's not welfare. It's ususally not much, but it will help and will allow you to hold unto some of your own resources should unemployment last longer than you expect.

Remember, its getting to be more and more unususal for a person not to be in your position at least once during their career. Keep positive, keep active and network like crazy. Good luck.

Sounds like you've been on a rough ride. I hope you do well in sales, though embarking on your first sales adventure in this sector at this time is a pretty daunting proposition.

The only advice I have to offer is to think outside the box, creatively. There are still startups being launched, where pay/benefits are usually superior, in-line with the higher expectations and productivity involved in startup. I tell you, it's ruined me as far as ever working in a 'stable' bureaucratic company again. As uncertain and risky as it is, there's nothing like the juice of launching a new hi-tech enterprise.