In Indiana the rules are different - you must apply for any and every job - the goal is 30 hours plus benefits at federal minimum wage - you don’t get to choose what you apply for or do - of course there are very few jobs to apply for too. That is the real problem - where to apply since there is just so many places and after a while you run out of places to apply.
Also I looked at Indianas regional employment offices and Broomsticks county/region has tons of resources and workshops - which mine does not - I think this is very unfair for us to have nothing and another county to have something everyday!
Then we get into the differences of the caseworkers and FSSA - something is wrong - it should be the same for everyone.
I still don’t know what county you’re in (I’m in Lake, in case anyone is wondering). I think there are two factors at work here. First, we have Gary, Indiana which has had serious employment issues for a long, long time, even before the current recession so between politics and sheer numbers it has been easier to get funding and to get at least a semi-working system up and running. Second, with so many people out of work, the unions and trades are exerting considerable pressure on the local governments, which might also be having an effect on both funding and effectiveness of caseworkers.
Which is not to say everything is wonderful up here, because it isn’t, it just doesn’t suck as completely as where Sucess20 lives.
I will confirm that there is pressure to take ANY job you are offered - in fact, you MUST do this or lose all benefits. In Indiana the goal isn’t to get you similar work, it’s to get you enough work to get you out of the Public Aid system.
At one point I got shit from an IMPACT staff member for NOT applying to a job as a dockworker that required one to lift 100 lbs over one’s head “several times a day”. Yes, I’m physically fit, but I’m also a 5’ 3" woman in my mid 40’s - I can not physically do that job. But back when I was in the IMPACT program (for about 3 weeks, while some conflicting issues with my case were being sorted out) this ninny was threatening to pull all support from me and mine because I wasn’t applying for that particular job. Not only would I likely have injured myself if I were to be so foolish as to apply and get such a job, I’d be an actual hazard to my co-workers. It is ridiculous to pressure people to apply for jobs they really can’t do. Given my physical size, if I had applied for such a job they likely would have tossed me back out on the sidewalk the moment they saw me anyway.
Agreed.
While there may be some variance between counties explainable by varying populations and circumstances, there should be much more consistency than what we’re seeing.
I don’t know about Indiana - but Illinois actually does check on that. On the other had, they don’t expect you to sit at home waiting for them, either.
Gotta remember - all these programs were designed and implemented in the 1900’s. Government tends to change slowly. Worse yet, most of them were designed during the boom times of the 1990’s, they really don’t fit current reality.
I occasionally hire technicians where I work. I look for folks who have genuinely positive attitudes. Two Many Cats would never get a job offer from me.
For all you professionals out of work in the US - have you tried this:
Canada isn’t in a recession. In fact, some places like Calgary and Edmonton still have more than enough jobs to go around. If you are really so desperate as to not have found a job in the US after several months, consider going through Canadian job websites and applying for jobs. If you’re an unemployed teacher, engineer or any of the other occupations listed on this webpage you might be able to get an employer to sponser you to get a TN Visa.
My Canadian employer sponsered me with TN Visa’s for about 5 years while I worked for them in the US (I’m Canadian). Getting the TN is relatively easy if you have the degree and job offer to back it up. It is a NAFTA deal and works both ways.
Amen. Let the man (or woman) piss and moan, folks. Could we forgo the sanctimonious lectures on proper attitude for once? Jesus.
My husband’s been out of work for almost a year. I work 2 jobs. The glow of getting HEALTH INSURANCE AND OFF COBRA has not yet worn off–our coverage started in October. 2 jobs is hard and it’s practically killing me, but I can’t afford to quit either one of them.
I feel for the OP. It is indeed incredibly hard to get past the barricade (for that is what it is) of the online job application to have someone just look at you. Hell, I couldn’t get past that barricade at my huge hospital chain to get a position at a sister hospital! I can’t imagine what a “cold” app must be like…
Because of the lack of resources and jobs - many people in my county are just moving - don’t know where or how - cause when you got no money - and no family to pay the bills - I do know many younger types are in the military because they have no options. I can’t physically lift hundreds of pounds either - and I think they can tell that when they see me. One issue I am seeing is that they get people a job - but it might only be a 1 hour shift - and you pay more in gas to get there than you earn - but the employment office and snap think that is how you get more hours from an employer - it isn’t - cause the economy sucks - the boss just gets you to do 8 hours of labor in that 1 hour and sends them home. Hey I will check that Canada thing - but my understanding is you have to first have a job offer - then get a work visa - and it is tricky to find money for long distance job searches. Hence (if you have seen my other discussions) - I am looking for a teaching job overseas - but I can’t use that search on my unemployment claims or for snap - because it isn’t local. Considering how many Canadians I am talking to online who are teaching overseas - maybe the job situation isn’t all that rosy in Canada. It seems like lots of Canadians are teaching overseas - and they are being very helpful in answering my questions.
As for no cell phone - I really can’t afford to go that route - especially since the phone would be useless to me in a few months when I leave the USA. If I had the spare cash - but just keeping a roof over my head and buying gas for my job search is a stretch.
By the way it rather sucks that as an American I am having more luck in responses to finding jobs in Asian countries than I am in the USA.
And my local city schools are losing nearly 3 million dollars in funding - and that is just the local small town - not the county - which is also losing similar funding - and the whole state is losing funding - so it is very obvious that the chances of finding a job in my field are dismal.
Oh please. So you’re telling me that your workers never bitch? Ever? Even in the privacy of their own homes after they’ve had a particularly shitty day? And they all love their jobs unconditionally?
Get off your high horse.
While Canada would, apparently, be happy to accept me I can not obtain a visa for my spouse. That means taking a job in Canada means, essentially, abandoning my disabled mate. If I could take my Other Half with me I’d certainly be happy to move to Canada and work there but I can’t.
Apparently, I value my marriage more than employment. On the other hand, if we wind up homeless I might not have a choice. That would still leave the problem of where my spouse will live, though, as clearly Canada does not want gimps moving in even when supported by a working spouse. Even if we could get permission to bring him in along with me (possible, apparently - there is a process to go through) he’d be entirely without medical insurance if we did so because, apparently, the Canadian system doesn’t automatically cover resident aliens or something. As he requires daily medications that would be, at the very least, problematic.
Every so often I do check back hoping to find a loophole, but so far no luck.
Truly, it sucks to be told that you can have a job but obtaining it will require you to effectively end your marriage.
Sorry Broomstick. I wasn’t implying that getting a job in Canada would work out for everybody - there are definately immigration issues involved. And you do need a valid job offer First to get a TN Visa.
As an American, your spouse should be able to go to Canada on a tourist visa. He can be in Canada up to 6 months without breaking any laws - as long as he doesn’t work or go to school. After that - he needs to return to the US for a few hours and could then theoritically return again as a visitor. Going over 6 months in Canada will probably cause your spouse complications with his American health care coverage and taxes though.
Another valid option would be to get a job in a place like Vancouver, BC (or suburbs) - but live in a place like Point Roberts or Blaine WA. You’d have to cross the border on your commute so with a TN Visa you’d be subject to being scrutinized each day - but with a Nexus Pass you’d probably be okay most of the time.
Again, I know my suggestion can help only a small % of people out there - but after reading this thread and seeing people are like out of work for years - it’s probably time to explore options farther afield.
That was the really painful thing - I was seriously in line for a job, then found I could not take my husband with me.
Our current health insurance is tied to our being legal residents of Indiana. Were we to move anywhere else in the world the first to happen is that he would lose it entirely. I would essentially have to maintain two households, and would rarely get to see him. It wouldn’t be much of a marriage. I’ve had people suggest I do it for a few years, obtain Canadian citizenship, then bring him over, but honestly, he may not have that many years left.
I realize that it won’t work for everyone, I just wanted to mention it’s not a pancea for everyone. It really is a shame because I think I could do very well in Canada.
To those saying Two Many Cats had a bad attitude after six weeks, maybe that’s how you’d be feeling after six weeks. Maybe your life gets thrown into turmoil, and you go on an emotional roller coaster and need to vent and sound pathetic and maybe everyone takes a different amount of time to regain their bearings.
There are people in this world who have never gone to sleep hungry, have never been homeless, have never been unemployed, and they just don’t seem to know that even honest, bright, hard-working people can still lose their jobs. One of my oldest friends is smarter than me and a hard worker, but he spent the last ten years working for a company that ultimately went out of business a few months ago, and now he’s 50 and unemployed, and it’s just not fair.
TMC: hang in there. I think it will get better, and you should strive to have a good attitude, but don’t feel bad if you occasionally feel despair.
Can I just toss in a feeling of sympathy for Two Many Cats and all other dopers in this boat. It’s a story I’ve told on here before, but after 7 months of unemployment after college graduation I took a minimum-wage job to pay the rent. Almost four years later I’m still there.
Whether you be unemployed, underemployed, or going out of your mind from frustration and boredom with life, I feel your pain. For what it is worth, good luck.
What, you follow them home, burst into their living rooms while they’re bitching to their families about a bad day at work, and laugh manically while yelling “ah-HA! NO ONE expects the CRAFTER MAN INQUISITION!!!”?
Seriously, dude - while your people might maintain the happy face under all circumstances at work, in the privacy of their own homes they’re going to bitch and have a “bad attitude” occasionally because they’re human. As long as the baditude never shows up at work, though, you’ll never know.
Likewise, someone bitching on an anonymous web forum is no indication of what they’re like face-to-face.