Can I claim unemployment?
#1
Can I claim unemployment?
My company told us all today they are laying us off for a week and to get any money we have to apply for unemployment.
Now as a PR am I allowed to do this?
Is it a State or Fed. thing? I have never claimed unemployment in the UK or here so I am absolutely clueless.
Now as a PR am I allowed to do this?
Is it a State or Fed. thing? I have never claimed unemployment in the UK or here so I am absolutely clueless.
#2
Re: Can I claim unemployment?
http://maine.gov/labor/unemployment/howtofile.html
If it's a lay-off you might want to check with state labor laws and company policy what severance if any you are entitled to.
Sorry to hear the news. I expect to see a bit more of these type of posts in the next year. Sign of the times unfortunately
#3
Re: Can I claim unemployment?
I guess you mean in a week. It's a State thing. You basically are entitled if you have paid in and can do it on-line
http://maine.gov/labor/unemployment/howtofile.html
If it's a lay-off you might want to check with state labor laws and company policy what severance if any you are entitled to.
Sorry to hear the news. I expect to see a bit more of these type of posts in the next year. Sign of the times unfortunately
http://maine.gov/labor/unemployment/howtofile.html
If it's a lay-off you might want to check with state labor laws and company policy what severance if any you are entitled to.
Sorry to hear the news. I expect to see a bit more of these type of posts in the next year. Sign of the times unfortunately
#4
Heading for Poppyland
Joined: Jul 2007
Location: North Norfolk and northern New York State
Posts: 14,453
Re: Can I claim unemployment?
Cheers for that. I really didn't have a clue where to start looking, should've guessed though. No I literally mean for a week, I couldn't believe it when they told us. I am going to have 2 weeks off at xmas as opposed to a 1 week shutdown (which they pay for some of the days as vacation days anyway) and the second week is the one I am going to have to claim for. I had no idea we could even do that.
Last edited by robin1234; Dec 9th 2008 at 1:42 pm.
#5
Re: Can I claim unemployment?
Closing down for a week or month is a strategy many employers seem to be planning. Presumably it is seen as relatively painless as health benefits etc. would be unaffected. New York State (my wife's employer) has a different take on it; they are talking about everyone losing a week's pay but not getting any time off in return. I heard on the BBC a few weeks ago that Honda in the UK are going to close down for a month but still keep all employees on basic pay for the month. I guess they reckon they's still save money on that basis.
#6
Re: Can I claim unemployment?
Mrs tonrob was let go a few months back and she made a successful claim. While we are PRs, I don't recall that immigration status had a bearing on the application.
#7
Re: Can I claim unemployment?
Closing down for a week or month is a strategy many employers seem to be planning. Presumably it is seen as relatively painless as health benefits etc. would be unaffected. New York State (my wife's employer) has a different take on it; they are talking about everyone losing a week's pay but not getting any time off in return. I heard on the BBC a few weeks ago that Honda in the UK are going to close down for a month but still keep all employees on basic pay for the month. I guess they reckon they'll still save money on that basis.
#8
Re: Can I claim unemployment?
I haven't ever heard of being able to do this for just one week, buuuut, they must be on to something.
Most states you can do this online now; in Oregon I don't think they ever have to see you in person anymore.
#9
Re: Can I claim unemployment?
Doesn't mean that's the case in every state, but in most, and Maine is included, it is an insurance pay out that you claim if you've paid into, as long as you have continuously paid in for 6 months.
I think in Maine you can do it online, but either way, you are expected to apply for any old job, and they do check on you up there depending on where you live. FIL who claims when he is off work for mud season has to do it, even got offered a job doing someones lawn mowing once which he had to do to keep getting the money as technically all the wood folk are laid off during the mud season.
#10
Re: Can I claim unemployment?
Oh of course! Bob, you reminded me of reading about the ski resort people here.. they can/do apply for unemployment because there's no snow!
#12
Bloody Yank
Joined: Oct 2005
Location: USA! USA!
Posts: 4,186
Re: Can I claim unemployment?
It's one thing to lay you off for some undetermined time period because they don't need workers and don't know when they'll need them again. It may be another to shut down the plant for a brief vacation period while getting the government to pay for it.
I'd be careful with this, and make sure that the law views this as a legitimate layoff. If you have a friend who knows labor law, I'd ask that person for advice.
#13
Re: Can I claim unemployment?
I would think that an employer who "lays you off" for a short, predetermined period with the idea of getting the government to pay a portion of your wages might be committing a form of fraud.
It's one thing to lay you off for some undetermined time period because they don't need workers and don't know when they'll need them again. It may be another to shut down the plant for a brief vacation period while getting the government to pay for it.
It's one thing to lay you off for some undetermined time period because they don't need workers and don't know when they'll need them again. It may be another to shut down the plant for a brief vacation period while getting the government to pay for it.
I honestly don't see how it can be legally possible for a company to essentially fire a non-seasonal employee for a week and then rehire them a week later. That just doesn't make any sense at all. If it's not a seasonal job, then you either work there or you don't... right?
There must be some major loophole being utilized here. Because otherwise it's 1) wrong for the employer to expect the government to cover the worker financially until they're "rehired" and 2) it's not enough time for someone to actually be able to prove that they qualify for unemployment benefits -- so the only one who truly loses out here is the worker.
~ Jenney
#14
Re: Can I claim unemployment?
I honestly don't see how it can be legally possible for a company to essentially fire a non-seasonal employee for a week and then rehire them a week later. That just doesn't make any sense at all. If it's not a seasonal job, then you either work there or you don't... right?
There must be some major loophole being utilized here. Because otherwise it's 1) wrong for the employer to expect the government to cover the worker financially until they're "rehired" and 2) it's not enough time for someone to actually be able to prove that they qualify for unemployment benefits -- so the only one who truly loses out here is the worker.
~ Jenney
#15
Re: Can I claim unemployment?
Closing Christmas Day to Jan 5th for all but very essential staff (customer support etc) - which forces everyone to use 4 days of vacation. It makes sense as loads of folks are out anyhow and it costs a lot just to keep the heating/lights/ancillary staff operating plus you get the chance to take the PTO accruals off the books. They are not suggesting we claim unemployment during that time though!