A first in the nation move, Minnesota is now allowing for teachers and releated workers to file for unemployment on summer break.

The change could affect around 60,000 workers in K-12 schools and 5,000 people at higher education institutions, said bill sponsor Rep. Emma Greenman, DFL-Minneapolis. But how many people apply remains to be seen, she said, and the state will monitor this year’s numbers.

“We are ending an 80-year exclusion of hourly school workers from our unemployment system,” Greenman said. “We are the first state in the nation to do this and we know we will not be the last.”

Illinois temporarily made a similar change during the pandemic, but it ended in 2021.

Minnesota’s unemployment system is called the Minnesota Unemployment Insurance Program. It is administered by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).

If you might be affected check out the steps to apply for Minnesota Unemployment Insurance help here.

So it always comes up in any employer change, if you happen to have a “gap” of employment in your resume, and frankly just about everyone does, or will at some point in their career. Some people have resorted to white lies. Here is a very solid explanation of how this white lie may play out. The infamous rage rant guy Alex Pearlman gives a masterclass in this unethical and probably even illegal in many cases resume gap padding “grift”.

@pearlmania500 Honestly circuit city going under was a net positive for all my friends income. #circuitcity #grift #recession #elonmusk #twitter #pearlmania500 #itsgettingworse #resume #2009 ♬ original sound – Alex Pearlman

In quite possibly the most egregious mass firing of record the CEO of Better.com laid off 15% of the company via a zoom meeting which is embedded below.

CEO claims that this decision was his own.

If you are on this call, you are part of the unlucky group being laid off, your employment here is terminated effective immediately.

Read more at SFGate.

Another high profile unemployment fraud arrest case. This time with a pair of arrests that defrauded the Michigan Unemployment Insurance system of at least $3.2 million and likely more. At least 470 claims for fraudulent unemployment insurance benefits in at least 5 States, including Michigan. If all fraudulent claims were able to have been collected the fraud could have broken $13 million, easily one of the most brazen attempts we’ve seen yet.

Full report below from the Justice Department on the case.

Two Defendants Charged with Unemployment Insurance Benefit Fraud Combined Actual Losses in Excess of $3.2 Million

DETROIT – Two defendants have been charged in criminal complaints for their roles in unemployment insurance benefit fraud schemes, announced Acting United States Attorney Saima Mohsin.

Joining in this announcement are Irene Lindow, Special Agent-in-Charge, Chicago Region, U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General, Sarah Kull, Special Agent-in-Charge Internal Revenue Service Detroit and Julia Dale, Director, Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency.

Tauheed Salik Wilder, 39, of Detroit, MI, and Shuqueni Renee Franklin, 30, of Shelby Township, MI are charged in separate complaints with mail fraud, wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and money laundering. Wilder and Franklin were arrested today.

Between them, according to the complaints, Wilder and Franklin are responsible for filing at least 470 claims for fraudulent unemployment insurance benefits in at least 5 States, including Michigan. Their illegal activity caused actual losses of over $4 million and attempted losses of over $13 million. It is alleged that both Wilder and Franklin filed numerous false claims using their own names and false social security numbers. Wilder and Franklin also used the stolen identity of other individuals to file false claims for unemployment insurance benefits. Both Wilder and Franklin were caught on bank surveillance cameras using ATM cards in names of individuals whose identity they had stolen to withdraw the illegally obtained unemployment benefits.

“The funds stolen by these defendants were intended to be used to ease the burden of unemployment suffered by residents of Michigan and other States. Those who steal unemployment benefits steal from all taxpayers and jeopardize the safety net Congress enacted to protect employees who lost jobs during the pandemic. These arrests reflect our ongoing commitment to investigating these schemes and bringing the people who commit these crimes to justice,” stated Acting US Attorney Saima M. Mohsin.

“An important part of the mission of the Office of Inspector General is to investigate allegations involving unemployment insurance fraud. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to investigate these types of allegations,” stated Irene Lindow, Special Agent-in-Charge, Chicago Region, U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General.

“When someone loses their job, they trust that help will be there to get them through rough times. Thieves jeopardize that trust and threaten the safety net for those truly in need. We won’t let that happen,” said Juila Dale, Director of the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency. “Through the tireless work of the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Fraud Task Force, we are bringing these criminals to justice and the Task Force partners should be commended for their efforts. I would also urge anyone who knows of any UI fraud scheme to go to Michigan.gov/UIA and click on the Report Fraud link.”

“Unemployment insurance was designed to provide much needed financial assistance to those in need during a global pandemic.  IRS-CI and our law enforcement partners are committed to investigating those who steal government assistance for their personal benefit,” stated Special Agent in Charge Sarah Kull, IRS-CI Detroit Field Office.

A complaint is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt.  Trial cannot be held on felony charges in a complaint.  When the investigations are completed, determinations will be made whether to seek felony indictments.

One of the most disgusting side effects of the COVID-19 Recession is that head hunters are effectively being used to selectively filter out candidates at employers who are already employed.

There is a bias among many hiring managers which started in the Great Recession 2009ish that only unemployed workers are unemployed because something is wrong with them.

I’m Unemployed What Can I Do?

We suggest that if you are on LinkedIn that you do not switch your profile picture with one of the “I’m looking for work tags”. That seems to be a sure fire way to be ignored by head hunters who are dying to find only employed candidates.

Essentially you have to be showing you are employed, and part of that activity would include not being able to pick up every call during typical business hours. i.e 7:00 to 5:00PM for most. It is like the worst quality of dating where you can’t be too available or you are are not worth the head hunters time. It feels completely wrong, but if you can’t pick up the phone, let it go to voice mail. Most head hunters these days will also text, because again they know that you are at work, and can talk openly even if your boss is in same room as you.

Again if start date questions come up, you’ll need to explain that you need to put in a two week notice, also explain that your employer may let you leave earlier. This allows you to show integrity, but also move your start date up, and in an economy with employers dying to get people on board, they’ll likely take you on sooner if you are available sooner.

We are not saying to lie, but you need to market yourself in a way that does not feed into the highly incorrect boomer stereotype that only unemployed people belong that way. This could include saying you are on reduced hours, working elsewhere, even McDonald’s even if you are pursuing an office job with a salary.

We’ve previously highlighted job interview nightmares, and well sometimes even the recruiters holding the keys to good jobs have nightmare candidates. This a LinkedIn mashup of some crazy candidates and well if you can’t see what the candidates are doing or saying wrong, then you need to look deep inside yourself and get to work on some self improvement.

In another symptom of poor treatment of workforce a traveler found themselves locked of out their hotel room. Typically not a big deal you head to the front desk and have the hotel staff help you get a new key card made. Unless that loyal staffer had enough and walks off mid-shift.

Soaring to the top of Reddit is a post that has so much searing details that it must be true.

Meet the Career Purgatory story of Milly. Originally posted as “Got locked out of my room went to find the front desk lady and this was on the front counter”

Since starting here, I have stepped up and had your back through many things. I have stepped into positions simply to ensure our guests have a great stay. I have gone above and beyond to accommodate not only our guests, but for you, employees, and the ever-changing schedule. Not only that, I have done it all with a smile on my face.

We’ve spoken numerous times regarding a management position. When I expressed my interest in an AGM position, you told me those weren’t available at the moment, but I was a great candidate for when one did become available. You also told me you wanted me in the Director of Sales position when Jessica left. Because I truly enjoyed my job, I never pushed the issue. I always figured you would tell me more when the time came. On August 13, you emailed me an attachment showing a new manager listed. When I asked you about it, you were cold and short. I asked you about it the next day and you told me “This discussion is over, Milly You’re being ridiculous.” Being HURT, is not being ridiculous, Brian. I have worked my tail off working doubles, coming in on my days off to do social, cleaning rooms, folding laundry, preparing breakfast, all while watching the Front Desk as well… Just for you to offer no explanation as to why a new manager was hired and I wasn’t even considered? Then when I try having that conversation with you, BEING SHUT DOWN? I’ve thought long and hard about why that could possibly be. Perhaps because I don’t wear my uniform? I was always taught to dress for the position I want. Not the one I have. Other than that, I’m stumped. I have gone the extra mile for this hotel and its guests. I have PERSONALLY received many amazing and 5 star reviews on Google. I have cross trained and LEARNED many different positions to keep this hotel afloat. I have put everything into this, and this is what I get in return?

One of our guests once told me “They would never give you a promotion here because you do everything a manager should do in your current position. Why buy the cow when you can have the milk for free?” After having to cancel my flight in order to work due to being short staffed, a friend of mine told me “They’re just going to run you dry until they don’t need you anymore”. Even in a time of need, you’ve still managed to make me feel unvalued in such a short amount of time. I have given a great effort and got a huge slap in the face. I no longer want given this a area or need this for my life. Truthfully, I’ve stayed because of the genuine bond I’ve formed with our guests and because I respected you, Brian. I didn’t want to see you or this hotel fail. However, I stepped up and you let me down. You’ve been quite rude with the discussions I’ve tried having lately. I would be treated better at McDonald’s.

In conclusion,

I QUIT.

Original Note below:

Weekly Certification is a series of questions that determine your eligibility for Unemployment Insurance benefits each week. This easy to follow step-by-step guide will take you through the process of completing your weekly certification online.

When do I need to certify for my weekly New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions unemployment benefits?

There are now designated call days based on the last digit of your Social Security Number:

• • 0-3: Monday
  • 4-6: Tuesday
  • 7-9: Wednesday
  • Missed your day: Thursday & Friday

Where do I file my weekly certification for unemployment benefits?

Complete your weekly certification online at www.jobs.state.nm.us or over the phone at 1-877-664-6984 Monday-Friday, 7:00am-5:00pm.

How to Create a New Account in www.jobs.state.nm.us & Apply for Unemployment Insurance Benefits