Jobs

Recently laid off, I’ve been doing my job search activities, but I’m worried about getting a job offer that isn’t a good fit for me. I’m so conflicted about declining job offers given the fact that I’m collecting money from the government.

Elaine Varelas provides sage advice on job searching while collecting unemployment benefits.

Ask the Job Doc. Boston.com

March 13, 2024

3 minutes to read

Q. I was laid off recently. At first, I was so angry, and then afraid about getting a job – especially financial fears. But then my unemployment benefits kicked in and it’s taken a lot of the pressure off me. I am doing the required job search work activities each week and documenting it all, and I really want to take my time to find the right new job, not just any job. Is it unethical to keep receiving unemployment benefits even if you are offered a job opportunity?

A. I’m sorry you’ve been laid off and the emotions you went through are quite typical. You were smart to apply for your unemployment benefits. Many people either assume that they won’t be eligible if they are collecting severance or assume that they will get a job so quickly that they don’t bother applying for unemployment. It’s in your best interest to apply for unemployment benefits when you’ve lost a job. Don’t let anyone tell you that you’ll be eligible or ineligible unless it’s the Department of Unemployment Assistance (DUA). This is the department who makes the determination on whether you’re eligible to receive unemployment benefits or not. They do communicate with your former company about the circumstances of your separation from the organization, but unemployment makes the determination on eligibility. You can also visit the Boston Re-Employment Center (REC) in person for help with your claim and much more.

The financial benefit is only one part of the unemployment insurance benefits that claimants receive. The MassHire Career Centers provide many services, including career consulting, access to job listings via MassHire JobQuest, instructional workshops and skills assessments for occupation matching, and more. You might also consider attending full-time training to learn new skills for jobs that are in demand, while collecting unemployment compensation. The Training Opportunities Program (TOP) isn’t funded by the DUA, although you can find scholarships or grants to help you pay. And in some cases, retraining dollars are provided by the federal government and are awarded depending on the specific circumstances of your company’s reduction in force.

It’s so positive to hear someone question the ethics around unemployment when we hear in the news about people not wanting to work or taking advantage and abusing federal programs. While I appreciate your concern about the ethical situation of taking this money from the government, the state wants you to take a job that’s right for you for the long term. Their goal is not to have you qualify for unemployment again within a short time. People frequently jump at the first offer that they’re given and find themselves in that situation when they don’t look at the long-term consequences of taking that specific offer. Just because you’ve been given a job opportunity, you’re not committed to accept that offer if doesn’t align with your financial needs and career goals. While you continue looking for the right job, you might also consider accepting a part-time role if it enhances your career or experience, as you may still be eligible to receive a partial UI benefit.

Your goal is to look for an offer that matches your experience, your educational background and skills, and the general range of compensation that you had been earning prior to being laid off. Anyone can take a dramatic cut in pay and start work tomorrow, but that doesn’t provide the level of tax contribution that other government offices here in MA are hoping that you’ll continue to make if you’re at your peak earnings. Be sure to follow the DUA job search requirements that shows that you are actively involved in getting a new job and maintain a Work Search Activity Log, to prove that you’ve been actively applying for jobs, interviewing and networking, all of the things that will keep you receiving your unemployment benefits. You won’t lose your benefits of you follow these guidelines, until they’ve expired or until you have accepted the job offer that’s right for the next step in your career.