Here’s my problem with privately run unemployment insurance, either from the same company or from a different company: it would be paying out the most when the economy is the worst, as it would recently. This is not exactly an economic model for fantastic success, and as companies lack the ability to tax citizens to make up the difference, it seems nigh impossible for them to stay in business. (I don’t recall any private companies even attempting to offer unemployment insurance, even in a supplementary fashion.) Given this issue, you’d probably see much of the same sort of problems you see with private health care (which is a whole other bag of worms): companies only insuring people who are at the least risk of losing their jobs (leaving the ones who need such insurance the most out in the cold), companies dropping people when they need to use their insurance, companies having so many restrictions and limitations that the insurance is rendered almost useless, etc.

I do agree with you that things like health insurance shouldn’t depend on where you work (and probably wouldn’t were it not for WWII limits on income, but I digress), but I imagine my solution to that issue (nation-wide single payer insurance run by the government) is almost exactly the opposite of your solution.

Also, why would the insurance have to be offered through the employer? Why couldn’t it be totally independent from the employer? Auto and home owner’s insurance are not tied to employment. Why should health or any other insurance depend on where you work?

Government not being perfect might be the biggest understatement I’ve ever read. The state, unfortunately, is often the cause of many problems in society. It’s inherent violence, I believe, is a scourge on civilized society.

I know it can be difficult to see how things would work differently in a free society but I think if you use your imagination you’ll see that freedom can indeed work.
Stephen´s last [type] ..Economic Collapse Warning Signs

Over the last 5 years, I’ve lost 4 jobs to companies “restructuring” and moving out of the country, specifically to India, Canada even the UK.
This technology based occupation is no longer performed on a wide scale in America, if at all. It has been farmed out in a span of 5 years, much like the textile industry was.
This field however, is technological. The last bastion of the evolved country.

The corporations that leave our shores will indeed make a lot more in the short term with governmental subsidies in their new locations.

However, over these years, the very same “American” corporations also realized that it is in fact less costly to hire locals of the new country. Many in fact stating such as a requirement in their employment listings.

As the last of the large corporations make plans to leave the country, its very telling to see the red herring of “unemployment benefits” brought to front and center.
The truth of the matter is that American workers are now and will be forced to follow the jobs overseas as well. I’ve done it and will more than likely be forced to leave my family and home yet again. I’m gone each time for longer periods. Each time in hopes of a few weeks work in the United States on return, in a “w2″ position that will put me back on unemployment, in hopes of staying in my own country for the little time that buys me.
Someone is and has made a lot of money off this arrangement. I understand that the supreme court has officially made this entity a person with the unilateral name of “corporation”.
Nothing to do with an immigrant or unemployment in fact.

Cheers friends, sending post cards from the next shore…

This post was mentioned on Twitter by financialsamura: Unemployment & Motivation: A Case Study http://is.gd/9CGd4 -> Excellent insight from @AmateurFinance who shares his own current experiences…

@fran: I understand the feeling; the only reason I haven’t applied to the local Walmart yet myself is that they’ve been fully staffed after the Christmas rush. It’s only lately that they seem to have any openings.

@Roger: Thanks for the perceptive comment; I should expect no less from another Roger! Yes, I do think that using the time you collect unemployment for introspection is the best policy. If you use it as the opportunity to improve your skills and improve yourself, it can become a good thing for you and your future career.

@Duane: First, thank you for your service to the country. I don’t think we (that is, Americans in general) don’t thank our veterans nearly enough, so once again, my thanks to you. As for unemployment benefits helping the economy, you’re absolutely right. In times like these, when the country’s economy is suffering so much, having a little bit more money to grease the wheels of the market can be a good thing.

@Sharon: I honestly do not know what, if anything, I should say. You have indeed worked hard your entire life, and it sounds like you have raised two great children as well. You have my greatest hopes that you will find something more permanent and substantial soon. As for politicians, they are definitely in their own world; not only are they largely drawn from the wealthiest Americans to begin with, but several decades in DC is usually enough to deaden any connection they have to the common man. Here’s hoping we get some new blood on the hill soon (on both sides of the aisle).

@Investor Junkie: In answer to your question (although it’s not directed at me), I honestly don’t know how long it should last. I do think that we should have a more holistic method of determining how long unemployment should last; I would much rather expand the length of unemployment benefits because economic research indicates it’s the best policy for the country, not because a group of politicians keeps arbitrarily bumping up the length of time. As for the stimulus and other, broader economic issues, I’m sure there’s plenty of (highly politicized) research, both maintaining that the stimulus was a boon to the economy and that it did nothing to help and in fact prolongs the downturn. Unfortunately, until we develop a way to see into alternate universes to see how different decisions played out, we can’t say definitely whether it was a plus or a minus to the recovery.

This is not a good time economically and what I’m seeing we are far over from it. At least in my opinion this type of “stimulus” does nothing of the sort and as you are seeing it is only delaying the inevitable. An argument could even be said it’s prolonging this “Great Recession”. What we need are jobs created. The government is not doing anything to assist small business owners such as myself to offer incentives to expand and hire. If anything, the policies are doing the exact opposite. All of these massive uncertain government policies and tax increases. Health care, cap-n-trade, end of Bush tax incentives, etc. etc. etc.

Fact is we (collectively) are not entitled to anything. At least my position what the government grants, it can also take away (as you seen at anytime!). Being reliant on the government is a big part of the issue we currently have. With state deficits such as your state is seeing should be a huge wake up call. This unfortunately isn’t going to end nicely.
.-= Investor Junkie´s last blog ..Ginnie Mae Investing =-.

Great minds do think alike…especially when they share the same name!

Great Work! You really hit the road running on this one. UIB should keep us on a positive track; yes, it is our money and we should graciously accept it, however collecting these benefits will allow us to think introspectively about ourselves to determine our true meaning and value in the workplace. Be creative–precisely what you are doing! Go beyond what we had because the economy is so bad that most of the positions we held will not return forcing us to look elsewhere for revenue. How can we take our experiences, skills and expertise and make our value work for us, not necessarily another company, most of which are at critical crossroads?

Never take a job for the sake of employment; correct, Roger, all you’ll do is continue looking which won’t help either party. Find your value and broadcast it; strive to do better, not the same and while we’re looking, be creative in our job search!

Awesome Work!

Yakezie!
.-= Financial Samurai´s last blog ..The Mental To Physical Connection For A Healthier Lifestyle =-.

http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/SmartSpending/blog/page.aspx?post=1690318&ocid=twmsnss

@eef: Don’t worry about the long, rambling reponse; I love it when people feel inspired by my posts enough to really open up. Personally, I think you’re doing everything right; applying to good jobs when they become available, trying to save money from unemployment if things continue to look down, and living as frugally as possible. I’ve noticed that unemployment benefits seem to vary widely from state to state. I’m lucky that Pennsylvania is on the high end of the scale (or at least, that I’m getting much more than many people if it’s not), so the question of whether to get a job is more a matter of keeping my skills fresh and my resume full, and less a matter of getting enough money to survive. Your sentiments on the subject seem to echo most that I’ve heard: nobody’s talking about getting rid of unemployment, although many think it’s getting a bit out of hand with how long you can collect it. Glad to see that it’s not really decreasing your (or your boyfriend’s) desire to get a job. Here’s hoping both of you find new employment soon!