LAY OFF!

LAID OFF! I AM LAID OFF! WOO-HOO!!!!

Today they asked for 3 volunteers to take lay-off. I volunteered with no hesitation. Also 7 people were laid off on 1st shift and 4 on 3rd.

I am supposed to call each Friday to see if they want me to start back the following Monday. I get my health insurance for the first month; after that it is available to me through COBRA if I want it. AND if the layoff lasts that long.

If you're wondering why I am excited about it, this means I get to collect unemployment benefits! So, I guess right now, I'm taking it week by week. As you may have gathered, I hadn't yet given my notice and Bob and I couldn't agree on when exactly would be the best time to do it. Good thing I listened to my sweetie, eh?

So, now I can get busy writing and still get paid!

How to avoid becoming part of the unemployment rate

How to avoid becoming part of the unemployment rate:
College graduates still thrive in this state's unforgiving economy
by Susan J. Demas

Here's a dirty little secret. For all the handwringing over Michigan's unemployment rate, it's not that bad.

If you're a college graduate, that is. Those armed with a bachelor's or higher face a roughly 3.4 percent unemployment rate, according to the Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth in April. That was half the state's 6.9 percent average, which has long topped the nation.

Those with some college or an associate's degree mirror the state's April average. Even with the jobless rate spiking to 8.5 percent in June, economists say college graduates are still faring well. But if you don't have a high school diploma, you're out of luck. You're staring at an eye-popping 17.4 percent jobless rate. And for those Michiganians still convinced that finishing high school is enough to guarantee a good-paying job, think again. Your unemployment rate is 10.1 percent.

Detroit News article, Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Interesting, eh?