[mlmpetert]

We tried to hire a administrative assistant about a year ago. The one we really wanted turned the offer down because she would only "earn" slightly more by working and paying to send her kids (2) to daycare then she would by staying home and collecting unemployment. What parent would turn down a opportunity to spend more time with their young kids? When her unemployment drys up shell go back to work and her excuse wont be that she couldnt find a job and thats why she hasnt worked in 2 years, it will be that she decided to spend time with her children while they were still little.

I don’t want to give too much away….. but im younger, not married and I don’t have kids. If I were to get laid off I would collect the highest amount possible (around 22k). Since I am younger I don’t have much in the way of qualified retirement savings so I would also be eligible for some food stamp assistance in VA (means tested). I don’t have a lot of fixed expenses, a lot of my current income is used for purely discretionary spending. Like the mother who decided to stay home with her children for 2 years while getting paid, I too would have a very difficult time forcing myself to accept a job when given the opportunity to do soooo much more. Who would pass up a sabbatical in their 20’s? Or what parent would pass up time to spend with their children? There are a lot of people who truly need unemployment, but there are also a lot of people who just like options it gives them.