So I start my new job on Monday. I have been out of work since March of last year. Unemployment in my state is still at 417$ a week (one of the lowest states in the country actually, 2nd lowest I believe) BUT when I return to work, I will not be making much more than that..... it seems dumb that I could sit at home, smoking weed and chillin' and make almost at much as working 40hrs a week.... And unemployment got extended through like September of 2021. That is all summer of getting paid to do nothing... Im feeling kinda dumb for taking this new job. Tell me I am not stupid I will say, the job is working for a company that I really really want to work for. It is a Social Services agency and I will be working with the homeless and people dealing with addiction, an issue near and dear to my heart. So there is that aspect. BUT still, I feel kinda dumb for working when I could be chillin' with my plants all day everyday.
You have a social services job helping the homeless and you want to abuse the system by taking handouts you don't need?
well you dont have to "sit at home for a year" if you are getting paid just as much or close to it, and you dont have to give the most precious thing in life(time) than why would you do that? you could do a lot of things Pursue a hobby Help other people Learn a new language Education Learn to play an Instrument learn to paint get outside go fishing go camping fuck, i can think of legit 10000000 things i'd rather be doing than spend time being at a job.
Its a good thing to have on your resume. That you were in work. This will also help open the door to other opportunities. I get what you mean and i was in the same situation almost. The difference being me with a burning desire to make a living and do okay. I am working part time and it works good for me. I get it if it wont work for you.
Yes, it does seem dumb. It's shortsighted to look at your current work as nothing more than a paycheck. It should be a step onto something more rewarding. Recreational use is just that, not a substitute for personal advancement.
I dont WANT to. Hints why I am going back to work. If I wanted to keep taking handouts then I would and technically if I wasnt working, I would need them. I would need them to pay my bills. But it seems silly when Millions and Millions of Americans (19 million approx.) continue to sit at home and collect unemployment themselves it seems silly to work 40 hours a week when the end result isnt much different financially. what is worth more; 417$ a week + all my time or 600$ a week - 40hrs working - 5hrs total commute for week.... Get what im saying? And I have enjoyed my time off work; my son is 5 months old tomorrow, so I have been being a Daddy which is a ton of work and I just got into Marijuana Cultivation which has also been fun and time consuming. I am super excited to go start this job and help people, that is what I want to do in my life, I was just pointing out that I feel a bit stupid doing it as I could sit at home for the next 6 months.
Let me start by saying thank you for being honest about it.......respect. I agree with what others have said.....its our moral responsibility to work when we can, and leave the assistance to those who really need it....YES YES I know, ALOT of people abuse it.....but that's a big reason we are in the predicament we are in....and it doesnt make it right. It's good to keep your work history "up to date" if you will....and good to keep paying into SS.....
Yeah, it is definitely the responsible and adult thing to do. Just sometimes Id rather be a lazy fuckoff lol In all seriousness, I have been looking for work for awhile but had been turned down from 3 jobs because of my Medical Marijuana use. I am ready to be busy again and be around people Thanks. I am super excited! My first 3 days are Virtual Training so I actually have to wait until Thursday and Friday of next week to actually have training with people; CPR and Crisis Intervention Training.
Its probably better to save your unemploynent benefits "bank" for later in case you need it sometime in the future, it doesnt last forever. It also doesnt look great to have large gaps in your employment. It sounds like the type of job that has really really great benefits, and you mention a son. Yeah, youre not making much more now but what about when the raises kick in? Those kind of jobs, atleast here, are tough to make it through probation, so, save that bank incase you need it
Thanks for your reply. Good point about saving Unemployment Benefits for the future in case I do need them again. This job does have great benefits and they are a non-profit organization, so my student loans can be forgiven if I work there for like 8 years or something. I know in my heart I made the right choice, just some days I would rather just stay home and stay in bed smoking blunts all day haha
I feel the same way, I just went back to work after maternity leave, its hard! But think about the long term, this sounds like a career path with real options for you. Congrats on that. This could lead to so many other jobs for you in the future, go get that bank!!!