If you want more of something, reward it. If you want less, punish it. Pretty basic concepts, in my opinion. So the question I have is, “If you want more people employed, why would you pay them to not work?” Am I heartless? Maybe, but I prefer to call it tough love. Before you jump to the conclusion that I want to end unemployment protection and starve children lets look at how the current system works.
You lose your job through no fault of your own. You didn’t get fired for misconduct or quit, so you can now file for unemployment. In order to be eligible you must be ready and able to work, apply for work, and call in each week to file a claim. When you accept a job offer your unemployment benefits end.
Benefits vary from state to state ranging from approximately $250 to nearly $1000 per week based on your wages when you were working. Duration of eligibility also varies from 6 months to nearly 2 years. Some states require registration with a job service agency and weekly job applications.
You do not have to look for or accept work that is not suitable. Work is not suitable if:
- The work is not in line with your training and experience. (After a period of time, any job you are qualified to do may become suitable work.)
- You must join or resign from a labor union.
- The hours or working conditions are not as favorable as most other jobs in your occupation in your area.
- The work is farther than the usual commuting distance for people in your occupation in your area.
- The wages offered are lower than the wages common for that occupation in your area.
- The work is unreasonably dangerous.
- You cannot physically do the work.
- The work would offend your religious beliefs or moral conscience.
http://www.esd.wa.gov/uibenefits/faq/faq-ui.php
Seriously? No wonder so many stay on unemployment for so long then beg for extensions. Why work when you can sit home and collect a check? There are only a couple of those that I can agree with, but why would you apply for a job you know you can’t do?
So what’s the alternative? If you lose your job, your company downsizes or closes a department, how do you pay your bills and feed your family while seeking new employment? The answer, like every other emergency is preparation and private insurance.
What? Privatize unemployment insurance? Yes! When you are hired, you already buy health, life, and supplemental insurance policies. I would add an unemployment policy. A private company, with a bottom line to meet, only makes money when you are working. It is in their interest to get you working again as soon as possible and at the highest level for your skills.
As a private business trying to make a profit, they set the rules of what applications qualify and what jobs can be refused. It would be in their interest to help your search with departments dedicated to aptitude testing, resume building, interview practice, self employment consultation, etc.
If we expect people to work, we must stop rewarding unemployment. Incentive is the key. Get the government out of the way so the private sector has the incentive to step in. Insurance companies will compete for your unemployment policy dollars by offering the best services and the best results at the best price.
