Senators Kerry, Reed move to stop benefits penalties for temp work

The Boston Globe addressed the issue of temp work and jobless benefits loss in Robert Gavin’s March 12, 2010 article “N.E. Democrats seek to fix unemployment glitch.”

The Globe reports that “Thousands of laid-off workers seeking to renew their benefits for a second year, not uncommon during this recession, were shocked to learn of the penalty for performing some alternate work while looking for a permanent job. When they do, their benefits are recalculated based on the low pay from the part-time or temporary work.

Those who do not work do not risk changes in their benefits when they refile for their second year of benefits.”

According to the Globe, senators Jack Reed of Rhode Island and John F. Kerry of Massachusetts will continue to push for legislation that will allow the unemployed to accept part time work without penalty of lost or slashed benefits.

The government has previously noted the increase in the availability of temporary jobs and considers that a signal of a possible upturn in the country’s economy.

Part of the trick here is that unemployment insurance is partly paid for by a former employer; so once you have taken a temp position, that new employer becomes responsible for your new UI payout, relieving your old employer of that burden. In a way, picking up your original claim award would be somewhat like making your first spouse pay alimony for your second divorce.

Making up the difference will have to come from the state, or else there will have to be more regulations regarding the duration of employment and related insurance liability. As we have stated before, each state handles this differently, so don’t expect this issue to be solved any time soon.

From the official United States Senate website, here is the contact information for state senators. Please note that each state handles unemployment insurance benefits slightly differently.

From the official United States House of Representatives website, here is the website list for representatives from all states.

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