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WWYD Re Voluntary unemployment (long)

JDOJDO member
in Babies: 0 - 3 Months

My employer is laying off 6 people at the end of January because there is not enough work right now. It will be the 6 people with lowest seniority unless others want to take voluntary unemployment. If I took voluntary unemployment, they would approve me to receive unemployment benefits, so I could essentially get paid to stay at home with DS until my employer had work for me again.

I would make less on unemployment, but if you figure I wouldn't need to pay for daycare it ends up being about the same. Worst case scenario, I could defer my student loan payments and we could definitely afford for me to do this.

And, 6 people from my job will be getting unemployment either way, so it might as well be someone who wants to, right? Some of my other  co-workers are single and can't just get added on to their husband's insurance like I can. Some of my other co-workers couldn't afford their bills if they made a couple hundred less a week. So, I'm really doing someone a favor by taking the voluntary layoff, right?

So..why does it feel so wrong for me to do this? I'm proud that I've never had to collect unemployment or depend on any kind of government assistance, it's a big deal to me. Taking a voluntary layoff feels like I'm abusing the system, it feels morally wrong to me...even though I know 6 people will be laid off and collecting unemployment whether it's me or not me.

So...wwyd? Would you take a voluntary layoff and stay home with LO collecting unemployment until your job had work for you again, or would you let someone with lower seniority get laid off instead?

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Re: WWYD Re Voluntary unemployment (long)

  • OctoberBabyHOctoberBabyH
    If it were me in your situation, I would do it voluntarily. Then I could be home with LO, collect and it would save someone else (someone with less seniority who might desperately need the job)
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  • jim7496jim7496
    If it were me, I would take the voluntary unemployment.  You have the ability to survive this, and it sounds like other co-workers might not be able to.  I don't see how it is abusing the system as you do need the income. 
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  • FancyFeet10FancyFeet10

    imageOctoberBabyH:
    If it were me in your situation, I would do it voluntarily. Then I could be home with LO, collect and it would save someone else (someone with less seniority who might desperately need the job)

    This.  Especially if you know that other people don't have the options you do (being added to your husband's insurance, able to defer your loans, etc)

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  • libby283libby283
    Totally do it! Enjoy the extra time with lo!
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  • JDOJDO member
    Thanks everyone, I think I'm going to do this and your comments helped me feel a little less guilty about it.
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  • Disneygeek77Disneygeek77 member

    That is fine, but just know that in order to get unemployment you have to be  searching for work.  I sincerely don't mean this to be rude or to scare you, but if by chance your state audits you and finds out that you have not been applying for jobs, you can get fined and/or go to jail.  So as long as you will be looking for work you shouldn't have a problem.  Good luck. 

    However this sounds like a furlough.  The rules might be different in that case. 

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  • hippotreehippotree member
    I would totally do it - good luck!
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  • JDOJDO member
    imagestw_77:

    That is fine, but just know that in order to get unemployment you have to be  searching for work.  I sincerely don't mean this to be rude or to scare you, but if by chance your state audits you and finds out that you have not been applying for jobs, you can get fined and/or go to jail.  So as long as you will be looking for work you shouldn't have a problem.  Good luck. 

    However this sounds like a furlough.  The rules might be different in that case. 

    Because I'm still technically employed, I was told I don't have to search for a new job. Once there is more work I'll be offered my position back. Unfortunately I don't know if it will be a month or a year before that happens, but any extra time home with LO will be nice. 

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  • Disneygeek77Disneygeek77 member
    Sounds like a good deal.  I wouldn't blame you for taking it.  Again, I hope I didn't come across as rude, I just wanted to give you something to think about. 
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