Greetings SASSY Women,

I apologize for lack of involvement over a course of several months. I was trying to balance my life after several catastrophes.  Finally, I have regained some stability, and am making an uphill climb in combating depression in my life as well in the lives of others.  I am sharing this information with you because this article will describe what I have suffered from for the past six months. Unemployment depression if not detected and combated immediately can drain and destroy one’s livelihood and will to live.  I hope the description of this information along with my personal testimonial will help inform you in helping yourself and others around you especially during this time of economic recession.

Recent studies indicate that a person will become depressed in about one to six months of unemployment.  This is not surprising because one’s profession plays an intricate part of defining one’s self esteem, worth, and life purpose.  The absence of compensated contribution to society places strain on how one views themselves and others. Relationships become strained, especially if the person that recently lost their job is the breadwinner of the family.

Long term unemployment erodes the self confidence and increases self blame. It forces one to focus on their own faults and insecurities and capitalizes on them.   This heightened scrutiny transfers to how one views others, and relationships are strained.  The person is always irritated and lashes out at others who try to help.  Worry increases, and one becomes lackluster and uninterested in things that they used to enjoy, often times they keep to themselves and remain indoors.  Other symptoms include physical ailments, such as headaches, insomnia, gastrointestinal distress, and sexual dysfunction.

The most fatal result of untreated unemployment depression is suicide.  Experts say that unemployment triples suicide risk.  According to an article written by the BBC says that being isolated, not being part of a work community at all can increase feelings of vulnerability and worthlessness. If this feeling of worthlessness is not dealt with immediately, one can and will try to take their own life.

Although I never desired to take my own life, during this time of unemployment I suffered from all of the mental and some of the physical symptoms.  Luckily, I had people in my life that believed in me despite the circumstances.  My boyfriend and other loved ones noticed the drastic change in my behavior and started to make sure that I came out of my defeatist mentality.  Over a period of time, I was able to get out of the lowered mental state I was in, and change my attitude. Although I am not employed full time, I am excited and hopeful and I believe in myself again. Yay.

What You Can Do

If you or someone you love has developed symptoms of unemployment depression here are some ways to combat it:

1. Talk about how you feel. Find a way to express how you feel. If it’s to your significant other, to your loved ones, to your pastor, to your dog, through prayer or meditation or even through a blog or a journal. Get your feelings out. You will feel better.  If you are comfortable with sharing your feelings with a stranger and have the means to foot the bill, consider finding a counselor or therapist to discuss your problems with.
2. Stay active. Get involved in some community efforts, or if you joined a sorority or used to be active in a church group, become active again to rekindle pride and self worth. Staying productive will fight off the depression that comes with feeling like you’ve got nothing to get out of bed for.
3. Spend a lot of time with friends and family, people that love you. These people will serve as your cheerleaders and encouragers when you are down.  It’s normal to want to push people away when you’re experiencing unemployment depression, but the people who love you the most will be the people who can cheer you up.  And now that you’re not working, you can’t use being busy as an excuse.
4. Clean your house/apartment/room. Being unemployed is bad enough.  Being unemployed and sitting around a messy house all day is worse.  You’d be surprised at how having a clean house can lift your spirits.  Reorganize your closets, sweep behind kitchen appliances, donate unwanted things to Salvation Army, and really give your home a deep cleaning you can be proud of.  You’ll be glad you spent the time now when you start working again and don’t have the time anymore.
5. Go grocery shopping. It seems counterintuitive to spend a ton of money when you’ve just lost your job, but stocking up on groceries now will save you money in the long run. You’re going to have to eat, and you’re going to have to economize, so save money by making all your meals at home. Going grocery shopping has the added bonus of being comforting. You can buy all your favorite foods and take pleasure and pride in the meals you prepare.
6. Run all those errands you’ve been putting off. A great way to achieve a sense of accomplishment is to finish something you’ve been putting off for awhile.  Have you been meaning to mail Grandma’s birthday present, get Fluffy a new collar, or return those overdue library books? There’s no time like the present!

In conclusion, I hope unemployment depression is not something that is affecting you personally. If it is, I feel your pain, but there is a way out.  I hope this information helps you or a love one that you know that may be affected.

source

God bless,
-LD <3

Did you know that you can actually be denied unemployment benefits? Did you know that you can receive it for some time and it get cut off without any warning? What can make you ineligible to receive unemployment? Continue reading to find out more about this tricky issue.

Okay, so you have been let go from your job. You file for unemployment benefits. The Department of Labor of your state calls you to confirm your work history in order to complete your claim. You wait two weeks to receive an answer from the state. You end up either:

1. Receiving a letter of denial.
2. Receiving benefits for two or three weeks and then get a letter of stop payment from the Department of Labor giving you their reasons why you have suddenly become ineligible to receive benefits. (There are several reasons for this which shall be explained in the following.)

The latter of the two scenarios happened to me. My former employer let me go, and the Human Resources Representative informed me that the company would do nothing to hinder the progress of my career and I would be able to receive COBRA as well as claim unemployment benefits.

Despite my loss, I was relieved to know I could still receive some income while progressing in my upcoming job search. I filed for unemployment, and was approved to receive benefits. Over time, I got used to receiving weekly unemployment checks. Then suddenly, I got a letter in the mail that explained that I would not receive any more payments. Reading further in the letter, it noted that my employer refused to issue me unemployment (your former employer has to pay you unemployment by law) because I was fired for employee misconduct.

I had no idea that when one gets discharged from a job there are different categorizations for their dismissal; but they are. They are as follows:

1. Quit – Left on your own accord
2. Lay Off – Dismissal because of a company merger, budget cuts, etc.
3. Let Go – Dismissal because you did not perform your duties or the lack of ability to perform
4. Fired – Dismissal because of employee misconduct (excessively late, arguing with upper management, looking at porn on the work computer, etc. – you get the point)

These categorizations are actually placed as options in the beginning of the NY State Unemployment Insurance internet form to determine qualification for benefits.

Numbers one and four disqualify you from receiving any payment from the Department of Labor, because they view it as if you caused the scenario, making it your own fault. Numbers two and three are not necessarily of your fault, so it is understood that the company should compensate you for their error.

The only way that numbers one and four could qualify you for employment is if you have just cause. In other words, you would have to give the Department of Labor a good reason as to why you were labeled in this manner by your former employer. For those who quit because they were being sexually harassed, mistreated because of ethnic, racial, sexual, or religious prejudice, or for other heinous reasoning can be compensated if it is ruled in an unemployment hearing. Usually one responds in writing first and the Department of Labor decides if the testimony of the unemployed person is worthwhile. The outcome can be that the State acknowledges the testimony and issues benefits. It can further progress into a public hearing in an arbitration court where both the employer and the former employee give statements and a judgment is pronounced. The State can also chose to ignore the proposal for benefits, and deny you benefits altogether and you will either have to resubmit your claim or find another job immediately.

For those who were fired for misconduct the same procedure applies to you. Companies sometimes lie to avoid paying for the worker they let go by labeling them with false categorizations. This is the reason why the State gives you options to appeal. They are aware of these falsehoods and would readily give you the chance to clear your name. In the state of NY, there is a form they send for you to appeal their decision and share your side of the story. Make sure you answer all questions and give as much information that would cause them to decide in your favor. You will know what they decide soon after you give in your paper work. Responses usually take one – two weeks.

Remember there is a chance that they will not rule in your favor, and make sure you are prepared for that (by either having resources available, looking to your support group, or finding a job). Fortunately, they decided in my favor and I received Unemployment Insurance until I found new employment at my current job.

Other reasons that benefits could be denied or stopped while receiving unemployment in NY are: working more than four days a week part time or making more than $405 a week part time (To receive unemployment you have to work less than four days a week AND make less than $405 weekly, this may differ in other states), denying work, not attending meetings and informational mandated by the Department of Labor, etc. which will be described further in the next article.

Remember, although denial of unemployment benefits can be a tough thing it is not the end of the world. One thing I have always believed is: “When there is a will, there is a way.” If you will to do something, it WILL be done despite your current circumstances. It can be a struggle when finances are not readily available (and I can preach, teach, and testify on this!) but if you push hard enough, you can get past this hurdle! Employment is out there waiting for you!

Have a blessed week everyone, I hope the best for you all. And to those who are down on their luck, I pray your spirits are lifted.

-LD

America is in a recession right now, and according to statistics 4.8 percent of this country is already unemployed and as of last month, an additional 71,000 were laid off. Moreover, since the official declaration of the recession, over 350,000 Americans have lost their jobs through company cutbacks and layoffs. Due to the decline of the mortgage and real estate industry, as well as the current war on Iraq , America is suffering a huge economic loss. Companies are scrambling to keep their revenue and their ass-ets while simultaneously giving hundreds and even thousands of workers the pink slip at a time. It is almost as indiscriminate as life or death, being unemployed can happen to anyone—it can happen to you.

I lost my previous job five months ago, and I have to tell you it was the most agonizing experiences—at first. It was frustrating, depressing, and self-depreciating. I wallowed in self-pity for a long time; simply because I lost something that I felt was the only source of income, which I practically defined my whole life by. However, after some time I pulled myself up by my bootstraps and did some things which I will explain over time through this blog to make your life a little more bearable if you ever encounter this life changing experience.

What does one do when they lose their job? When I first got notice that I would be losing my job soon, and I had thirty days to get my affairs in order, I was mortified. I didn’t know what to do. I cried to my boyfriend in despair. “What do I do?” I sobbed. However, after the crying was done, I pulled myself up and buckled down.

1. First thing I did was to get my resume together. Mo put together some pretty excellent ideas to spruce up your resume. Depending on the nature of your termination, you can still list your current job as part of your experience. I do warn you though, do be prepared to explain to every interviewer (as I did) as honestly as possible how and why you lost your job.

2. Put together a list of references from your current job. If you have gotten in the good graces of others through your experience and time on the job, take their names, emails, and phone numbers down. Make sure you ask them if you can use them as a reference. This will prove helpful when looking for work, especially if you are going to list your current job on your resume.

3. Start applying to jobs immediately. Assess what jobs will suit your needs, skill set, and career path. Then start directing your resumes and cover letters toward them. Good places to post your resume and look for jobs are: idealist.org, craigslist.com, monster.com, and careerbuilder.com. Some of them even have job targeting searches and features that can even send your resume to mass employers simultaneously.

Chances are you may get hired before you’re laid off, and you can resign from your current place of employment without suffering any real feelings of loss – money, pride, or otherwise. Unfortunately, not every one that does the above (such as myself) escapes the dreaded pink slip. Not to fret though, there are other things you can do besides pulling your hair out of your head.

1. File for unemployment, immediately. Yes, as young as you are, if you have worked at a company (any company) for over six months you qualify for unemployment! Although your company may not want to offer you a pay check, they still will have to compensate your pay through unemployment benefits insurance. Most states have a website that residents can go to once they become unemployed and apply; just search the word “unemployment” and your state abbreviation. During my five months of unemployment I never had to go in person to an office to apply or pick up my benefits. Specifically, NY State Unemployment offers direct deposit as well as debit cards provided by Chase bank to disperse monies to recipients.

2. Apply for health insurance benefits. Many of you may be aware of COBRA and its health insurance package so you can still retain your benefits. However, COBRA itself costs an arm and a leg when depending on your unemployment benefits. There are many state supplemented programs for the unemployed. NY grants Medicare and Medicaid, as well as supplemented health insurance through Healthy NY, which gives you several providers and plans to choose from according to your county and your income.

3. Get a support group. As closed in or vulnerable you may feel at this moment, please do not go into seclusion! Studies show that depression from job loss can be just as impactful as or even more impactful than losing a loved one. To add insult to injury, many people even after becoming re-employed never regain peace of mind. Please do not allow this to happen to you! Make sure that you have some loved ones to lean on and lend a hand during this season of drought in your life. They will serve as an aid to help lift your spirits and even lift you out of unemployment in helping you find a job.

4. Do not lose hope! Remember, this is only for a season. Despite your current circumstances, be positive and continue to be diligent in your job search. Eventually, a job will come your way.

I hope this helps anyone who is down on their luck at the present moment. In the future, I will be elaborating more on this topic. Be blessed all and have a wonderful week.

-LD