I was planning on leaving the unemployment woes behind today but an article on the front page of the on-line NY Times makes that impossible. The article, entitled "Unemployed, and Likely to Stay That Way" discusses those of us who have been out of work for more than six months. The bottom line is that the longer you are out of work, the longer you will stay out of work. Employers do not like to see gaps on resumes (well, who does?) and are much less likely to hire, or even interview, someone who has been unemployed for more than six months.
Well, now, this is a fine kettle of fish! Not surprising since this has been a hot topic lately, but it does smack of discrimination. Perhaps there is a lawsuit here, just waiting to be filed. Discrimination because of economic lethargy is something that none of us out-of-work slackers can change and it is most definitely not our fault. You would think that employers might want to hire us first because we would be so, so grateful and we would do a really, really good job and we would hardly ever complain. (Well, at least not for a few months.) The HR people would earn a lot of good karma, we would earn some money, the economy might become less indolent and everyone would benefit! The people recently laid off would get a chance to collect their share of unemployment and all the benefit extensions would cease because all of us who are needing the extensions would already be back at work!
It could work. Sort of a revolving door of unemployed folks. Instead of so many out of work for so long, everyone could have a shot at a short period of lassitude. Share the joy, as it were.
Tomorrow, I promise, I will move on to another topic. It is now time for another dog walking experience. Thank god someone is benefiting from my unfortunate state.
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