Need advice about Unemployment

[manhattan93]

Hi,

My employer just told me that I will be laid off starting next month. Since they are my first employer and I had been working for them since scratch for 15 years, I still feel pretty shock. My wife is a student at online university and I have 2 younger kids. Still can’t think clear , could somebody give me some advance what to do ? Thanks a lot for any inputs.

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[tanyar23]

I am sorry to hear you have gotten laid off. You may want to think about Worker Retraining (may assist with tuition/books depending on the college) at one of the community colleges to do a skills upgrade or work towards a certificate or degree in a program that will get you skills so you can return to work. Your wife may be eligible too if you were the only source of income. You can actually look at training now with your layoff notice.

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[JKB]

Get your unemployment-compensation paperwork under way right now. They delay and throw up obstacles, and you’ll get better results the sooner you file.

What do you do?

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[seaopgal]

Very sorry, too! It is traumatizing experience, especially if it comes out of the blue. You will probably be eligible for unemployment. It is not difficult to apply online or even over the phone, then they verify with your employer and then you have to attend a class at the Work Force center (down on Rainier Ave) where they give some basic employment search skills, tells you what you have to do to continue to get benefits, and then will help with a couple of initial job referrals. It goes pretty quickly with a layoff, so you won’t be without funds for long. If you aren’t in a training program, you’ll need to document at least 3 job search activities a week (write them down in case you get audited) in order to receive benefits. I’m not sure how long benefits last now, but basic is 26 weeks (I think…), and can be extended. It will replace a good portion of your income, and the Work Force office has computers, phones, etc. that you can use as needed for your job search. http://www.esd.wa.gov/uibenefits/

If you have employer-paid health insurance, you will probably also be eligible for COBRA, which means that you can continue on the employers plan (18 months, I think), but of course you will be paying the premium. You will probably be able to find cheaper insurance through the healthcare exchange, but at least you will not have to go without coverage while you switch over. Your employer will provide you with a letter verifying that you had insurance so no gap in coverage. If you currently have dental or vision coverage and are due for a checkup, try to get as much done as possible before you are laid off. Then you will be able to let this coverage slide if necessary.

Be sure you understand how you will be receiving compensation for any vacation days you have coming. Your employer may also offer you some other compensation or termination pay. You may have to sign something that says you won’t sue them for unlawful termination in order to claim these benefits (other than vacation, unemployment and COBRA), so be sure to read everything before signing & ask questions. If you feel you are being terminated because of your age, gender, race, etc., then you might want to get legal advice before signing anything.

Try not to burn bridges. Often employers use layoffs to terminate certain undesirable employees, but because they have to show that it is done fairly, they also layoff others. If you have had a good work record, likely since you’ve been there 15 years, you may be able to go back to work there after the dust settles or if their business improves. Try to maintain a good relationship with your manager and others.

SInce you’ve been given warning, you have time to share contact info with your coworkers, vendors, customers, etc. who might be able to serve as reference/job referrals, etc. Make sure you have their phone/email addresses, but be careful not to take proprietary information, files, etc. Some things like that might be spelled out in your employee contract, if you have one, so be sure to read it. Ask your manager what kind of reference the company usually gives; if they just verify dates of employment, ask if he/she will give you a letter of reference. If not (some company have policies against it), then it will be helpful to be able to turn to your other contacts.

Remain calm, but don’t be afraid or ashamed to share your situation with friends and relatives, neighbors, people at church, etc. They will be your best support and source of referrals for new employment. Work up a quick response to “what kind of work are you looking for” so that you are ready when people ask.

Once you get your unemployment and insurance figured out, you will have some breathing room, and it will not look so bleak. And maybe you’ll have more time to spend with your children and think about where you would like to go next. Then, your new job will be looking for your new job.

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[transplantella]

seopgal has written a very good and useful post.

I would add a few details about unemployment or as it is now known “Worksource”.

You can easily open a claim over the phone, and I am sure according to your description you will be eligible for full benefits. You will have a ‘waiting week’ before you start to recieve any payment, so you want to file your claim right away.

Of course they will quickly innundate your mailbox with brochures and forms and notices. You will be required to go to several meetings at the office on Rainier, including the initial orientation meeting. Anytime Worksource issues you a mandatory appointment, you had better be there, on time. Period.

The people who work at the Rainier office are actually pretty good. (Avoid at all costs dealing with the Northgate branch. Just don’t.)

The most important thing to continuing your unemployment benefits is to fill out the weekly work search log PERFECTLY- to the last comma, www. and spelling of all contact names with appropriate capital letters. They go over those work logs with a fine tooth comb. Any small oversight or mistake will trigger an audit going back for the entire claim.

I’m writing this entire post just to tell you about Raymond. Raymond is a case worker at Rainier and is an absolutely stellar human being. I mean he is the most energetic, caring, helpful, knowledgeable government employee you will ever come across. Raymond will face burning tigers for his clients. He is a fabulous resource. The right person in the right place.

After all the initial falala has been completed, and if you feel you could use a confederate in your corner ferreting out every possibly job opportunity, you need Raymond. He has rabbits under his hat. Worksource clients are free to arrange voluntary appointments with Worsoursce reps outside of the mandatory consultations. Raymond is your man.

How’s that for a testimonial? And no, he’s not a relative of mine. Just a great guy who’s really good at what he does.

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[amalia]

Ditto most of the above, although I found the unemployment insurance process to be almost absurdly easy online, even though my situation was somewhat complicated (I quit my job but qualified for UI under a different statute). The people at the unemployment office were very knowledgeable and helpful. I found that COBRA costs did not differ at all from private insurance costs, but that might be different for you if your family income is such that you qualify for assistance under the ACA. Of course, your are stuck with your employer’s policy, so you could save by downgrading via the State Healthfinder website. Your employer is responsible for getting you set up with COBRA, so that should be simple for you. Best of luck, and the panic will subside. You’re certainly not alone.

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[mpento]

So first start claiming your unemployment right away. They work on a week from Sunday to Friday and your first week is a waiting week. Their internet site is pretty straight forward. http://www.esd.wa.gov/index.php

OK now for what’s next. Everything will have two sides to it. Your agenda as the job hunter and the other side is the employer looking to hire. A lot will depend on the area that you work in and the nature of the work. You might consider making a list of what you liked and disliked about your current job. This should help you figure out what you would like to do next. The main point is do you want to stay in the same work and living in the same location? If yes then just go looking and that is your short term agenda. Your mid term agenda is doing similar work but getting more skills/experience and picking locations that you would like to live/work. The long term agenda is time for a big change. Study or entry level position in another career. You need to prioritize these three choices. If you want a big change then focusing on the short term solution is a mistake. Not just for you but if you go to an employer for the quick fix but you have not worked out your long term agenda they may see these as issues (if they can screen effectively). Work on your resume and get as much feedback/help on it as possible. Two aspects of looking for your next position are technical and networking. I always think of this quote from Lou Holtz when I’m pitching myself as a potential employee “Ability is what you’re capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it” Technically you have to have these three things when you come to the table. The other aspect which I’m terrible at is networking. Reach out to people The current people you work with, people you used to work with and people you want to work with. Don’t just send in a resume. Try to put a name with the position. Either the HR person or the CEO, or the person you might end up working with day to day. http://www.linkedin.com can be a good tool for this. Keep a record of your application history (you’ll need it for unemployment process anyway) If your search will be largely electronic based I would try setting up an email for all employment related stuff. Often with the internet there will be details on what they are looking for in a position but be aware that these details might not stay posted and might be helpful if you are called to interview. The worksource resource is good https://fortress.wa.gov/esd/worksource/Employment.aspx but I find it a bit lacking in that it is there to cater to a very wide range of job seekers and I think tends to cater to the lowest common denominator of unskilled short term employees. (I guess that is their most common customer) And while they are helping you get a job they are also there to make sure you are eligible for your unemployment. The first worksouce meeting they setup for me was on job hunting resources. It was OK but I realized part of the agenda was a bit of cheer leading. It was a bit annoying but it is kind of important as it is a case of perception being reality. It is important to believe that you are employable. Getting laid off is just a change of direction. Use it as on opportunity to get something better for yourself and your family. Also don’t be afraid to take a break and stop and smell the roses. Good luck

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[Jeannie]

Seconding the endorsement of Raymond at the Rainier Avenue Worksource. He’s smart and compassionate. His classes are actually useful and lively.

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[manhattan93]

Hi WSB forum member,

Nothing could describe how thankful I am with all your input and effort to help in this difficult situation. Thank you so much to write down every detail, tips plus referral to Raymond. I greatly appreciate it.

I think I am on the right track (for now)

Mpento,” Getting laid off is just a change of direction. Use it as on opportunity to get something better for yourself and your family ” . Thank you, this is really what I am thinking to myself now, and I feel good/positive about this.

Once again, thanks so much guys. WSB forum member, YOU ROCK !

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[HMC Rich]

You have to do your job search weekly and document it properly. They will take you to unemployment court if you cheat or fail to document your job search or outside earnings properly. Also, you have to understand that you will be classified by the job that you recently held. So, if you report work that “interfered” with your job search hours (the hours that you used to work) they may try to take back the benefits they paid. I had to fight them three times to prove that my “freelance” work did not interfere with my job search. You have to know the rules of the game. Just because you are a nice person who didn’t know some of the rules doesn’t mean squat. Too many fellow citizens steal from unemployment and that causes problems for the honest citizens too often. Good Luck

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[Jeannie]

Yes, and once you land your new – and, I’ll bet, better – job, let us know!

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