Any Former Recruiters Here?

[ApresMoi]

Not BK related, but need advice. I am trying to find temp work but the phone isn't ringing.

Do temp agencies have a way of checking to see if you have been or are collecting unemployment, and, if so, will they turn you down because of it (without telling you...they just don't call with assignments)? I am not now on unemployment, but was until fairly recently.

I believe I read that the taxes an employer has to pay to the State increases when employees file for unemployment (which is why some employers fight granting it).

I do not know if that same 'rule' (about higher taxes) applies to temp agencies. It would stand to reason that temp agencies would have a lot of employees working for them who might rely on unemployment in between temp assignments.

I have read that employment histories can be ordered up online, just like a credit report, so it stands to reason prospective employers have some way of checking to see if you are on unemployment or have been.

Thanks for any input. I don't usually go off topic, but thought there might be some recruiter expertise in this forum.

[tigergem]

I doubt that they would refuse to hire you because you are collecting unemployment. They might if it was worker's comp, because they fear that kind of thing. But a lot of employers when they terminate your employment will try to say that you were fired for cause to prevent you from collecting unemployment on their dime.

[nc73]

agencies only call you if you happen to stand out from other resumes. also if you have a skill that is highly desirable. hell i get calls all the time but it's hard to get a job when your credit sucks. these calls are 99% for federal gov contracting work. i've applied for tons of jobs and maybe heard back from one. recruiters find me most of the time, not the other way around.

[ApresMoi]

the last i read, it's against the law for an employer to use your bankruptcy against you in the hiring process.

agencies only call you if you happen to stand out from other resumes. also if you have a skill that is highly desirable. hell i get calls all the time but it's hard to get a job when your credit sucks. these calls are 99% for federal gov contracting work. i've applied for tons of jobs and maybe heard back from one. recruiters find me most of the time, not the other way around.

[mtbc]

The law has the key word solely in there last I read, and the precedents I've read tend not to be generous to the employee on that: as far as I can tell, they can bear it in mind, so long as they have their other contributory reasons too.

[nc73]

the last i read, it's against the law for an employer to use your bankruptcy against you in the hiring process.

I've not filed yet but credit does go against you for jobs that require secret or higher clearance. I just interviewed today and I asked if they checked credit and they said no. Strange because it was a contract for a govt entity. Second interview Monday... I did turn an interview down because they specifically asked about credit issues and it was for a secret. HR person said it would take longer to clear me so she agreed.

[ApresMoi]

That's my concern too. I wonder what will happen when I apply for long-term temp jobs. Will they also run a credit check? Bleah. Fed up tonight.

I've not filed yet but credit does go against you for jobs that require secret or higher clearance. I just interviewed today and I asked if they checked credit and they said no. Strange because it was a contract for a govt entity. Second interview Monday... I did turn an interview down because they specifically asked about credit issues and it was for a secret. HR person said it would take longer to clear me so she agreed.

[ApresMoi]

good to know. thank you.

The law has the key word solely in there last I read, and the precedents I've read tend not to be generous to the employee on that: as far as I can tell, they can bear it in mind, so long as they have their other contributory reasons too.

[BananaCabana]

The government has just passed the new HIRE act that gives employers a tax credit when they hire someone who has not been employed for more than 40 hours in the past 60 days. That entices employers to hire someone who has been on unemployment. The problem with working for most temp agencies is that you are then considered employed which can either stop your unemployment or grant you partial unemployment. Considering how long it can take to get your first unemployment payment after filing that could leave you without any pay for a couple of weeks.

And yes you are correct that the amount of the unemployment claims that a company is charged with affects the rate of unemployment tax that the company has to figure for their FUTA quarterly taxes. The lookback is three years (in FL) which is upsetting to most companies as that particular expense is growing in leaps and bounds. Most of the time an employee will receive unemployment unless he voluntarily quit the job or was fired for willful misconduct such as theft or destruction. The problem most companies are facing is that 90+% of the time the employee will win the claim, it gets charged to the company and it raises expenses which then can result in less people hired and raises freezed. I have seen it both ways. The company may be at fault and not been fair to the employee and win a case due to paying for an expensive/good lawyer. But more often I have actually seen an employee who was fired for good cause still get the unemployment and charge the company. The whole thing is a viscious cycle. Just like shoplifting. When company expenses go up it gets passed on to the consumer and employees one way or another. Whether in reduced benefits, no pay raises, higher prices and/or hiring freezes and lost jobs. Kind of off on a tangent but it was somewhat relevant.