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Re:Additional 6.6M File for Initial Unemployment Benefits [pdf] by PragmaticPulp on Thursday April 02, 2020 @10:25AM (#22759317)
> In many places being unemployed pays more than being employed.

You're being downvoted because you overgeneralized ("many places"), but this is actually true in some scenarios.

See "Unemployed workers could get more than 100% of their paycheck under the coronavirus bill" https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/27/how-unemployed-workers-could...

It's a perverse incentive to getting people back to work, so I expect this loophole will be closed soon.

Re:Additional 6.6M File for Initial Unemployment Benefits [pdf] by elliekelly on Thursday April 02, 2020 @11:44AM (#22760258)
> It's a perverse incentive to getting people back to work

Unemployment isn't forever and the additional $600/week is only for the current pandemic situation and expires as of July 31. This is not a windfall for those who are now suddenly without a job.

But more importantly, someone who has just been laid off has close to zero employment options right now. They might be able to find a short-term job at a grocery store or Amazon but if they're over 50 or have any sort of health issues that's probably unwise. And even if someone is willing to risk it they're unlikely to get the position anyway, no matter how qualified, because those few positions are absolutely flooded with applicants[1].

There cannot be a "perverse incentive" (or any incentive at all) to stay home and collect unemployment when that is a person's one and only option.

[1] https://abc13.com/heb-who's-hiring-houston-jobs-covid-19/606...

Re:Additional 6.6M File for Initial Unemployment Benefits [pdf] by PragmaticPulp on Thursday April 02, 2020 @12:22PM (#22760659)
> There cannot be a "perverse incentive" (or any incentive at all) to stay home and collect unemployment when that is a person's one and only option.

The economy isn't all-or-nothing. This situation is bad, but it's an exaggeration to suggest that no one is hiring.

The perverse incentive comes into play when people start turning down $20/hr jobs because they're making $23/hr on unemployment insurance. They'll want to go back to work eventually, yes, but they won't rush into it will literally cost them money to do so.

I'm not suggesting that unemployment insurance is comfortable or ideal, but I think it's important that we avoid situations where people must deliberately choose to reduce their income to return to work.

Re:Additional 6.6M File for Initial Unemployment Benefits [pdf] by cultus on Thursday April 02, 2020 @02:30PM (#22762049)
Sure, a few people will be hired. But it is absolutely delusional to think that any significant percentage of people laid off will be able to get a new job anytime soon. There simply aren't enough jobs. Everyone really, really wanting it will just make those jobs harder to get, and will lead to lower pay and reduced safety.

This is not a time to be talking about bootstraps.

Re:Additional 6.6M File for Initial Unemployment Benefits [pdf] by themagician on Thursday April 02, 2020 @12:56PM (#22761011)
People probably haven’t figured it out yet. Why work for $15/hr at a grocery store when you can make $20/hr sitting at home? Sure, not forever. But that grocery store job ain’t forever either. The UI benefits go until at least July 31. That’s probably longer than most of these temp jobs.
Re:Additional 6.6M File for Initial Unemployment Benefits [pdf] by cultus on Thursday April 02, 2020 @02:28PM (#22762026)
We want people to be staying home and not working right now. Other countries are smart enough to encourage this. Only the US seems to be missing the entire point of this whole exercise.
Re:Additional 6.6M File for Initial Unemployment Benefits [pdf] by themagician on Thursday April 02, 2020 @10:28AM (#22759339)
It’s true in a LOT of scenarios. It’s true for anyone making under $15/hr anywhere, and in some states the break even is $20/hr or more.
Re:Additional 6.6M File for Initial Unemployment Benefits [pdf] by _curious_ on Thursday April 02, 2020 @10:56AM (#22759709)
"I expect this loophole will be closed soon" What makes you think that?