We will work

The pool of unemployed families is at an all-time high

Last week, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported the proportion of families with an unemployed family member was the highest ever or since 1994 when they started reporting this figure. In 2010, 12.4% of families or 9.7 million families included an unemployed person (u.p.). This is one in eight families, an increase from 12.0% in 2009. 

Of course, not included in these figures are those who are underemployed, or those working part-time or lower-paying jobs, in order to survive; those who retired early to avoid being laid-off; and those who have given up looking for work. Some of the latter are trying to learn to be self-employed like myself and income isn’t that great for quite a while. And there are those self-employed who have far less work to do. A couple of our neighbors are in this category.

236th Good Thing about Unemployment

You have a parking place.

Unemployed persons are facing mass discrimination

Also this month, U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson (D-GA) drafted legislation adding unemployed persons to the protected groups under the Civil Rights Act. It would be illegal for employers to refuse to hire an unemployed person.  This is in response to the current trend of employers only hiring currently employed workers further displacing the unemployed.

181st Good Thing about Unemployment

You don't have to wear a bra.

Locally

I last worked Albany, NY, in the non-profit sector. It is the public and non-profit sectors that have taken the lion’s share of the lay-offs in this Capital city. Our region lost more work than all but three other areas in 2010 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. We lost 6,400 jobs and our Governor is threatening to lay-off 10,000 more. One in four workers here is employed by state or local government. And there are a lot of others who work for non-profit organizations who do the work of government.

152nd Good Thing about Unemployment

When you have a big zit, no one at the office stares at it.

So, what to do

I’m one of the ups, trying to make folks aware there is a problem. And although there is absolutely horrible misery in Japan, Libya, Syria and Egypt, at least one in eight families here need a job. It is simple. We will work. Hire us. 

178th Good Thing about Unemployment

 

Your best friend tries to tell you something when you ask, “How do I look for this interview?”